Understanding the Factors Affecting Vehicle Usage and Availability in Carsharing Networks: A Case Study of Communauto Carsharing System from Montreal, Canada

The novelty of carsharing as an alternative to private car raises a number of operating logistics questions. This study seeks to determine factors affecting vehicle usage through multilevel regression analysis and vehicle availability through a logistic regression analysis using the Communauto carsharing network in Montreal, Quebec case study. The number of vehicles parked at a station has the most effect on availability, with a great variation during the seasons. Vehicle usage is affected by average vehicle age, and by member concentration in the vicinity of stations. This research can be beneficial for carsharing operators to build or expand their network.