Professor Susan Shaheen is featured in Wunder Mobility Podcast's latest episode on the changing dynamics in shared mobility, or transportation services and resources that are shared among users. With host Gunnar Froh, Shaheen discusses the evolving relationship between public and private transport, how to create a healthy mobility ecosystem, and how public transport operators innovate.
Shaheen also touches on the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on shared mobility. While some changes were expected, like the decreased use of public transit, others were more surprising. For instance, there's been an increase in use of shared scooters and bikes, and the promotion of "slow streets" that encourage socially-distanced exercise within shared roadways.
Moving forward, Shaheen sees an increased demand for dockless varieties of shared mobility, whereby users can pick-up and drop-off rented bikes or scooters at any location, not just docking stations. She also notes the development of courier network services, with large companies like Uber and Lyft pivoting to offer shared rides for cargo, especially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as less people were commuting to work and around town.
While only time will tell what the future holds, Shaheen certainly gives good clues as to what lies ahead in the world of shared mobility.
Click here to listed to the Wunder Mobility Podcast, Episode 20, with Professor Shaheen.