Car share offers significant incentives that benefit housing affordability, cost of living, climate change, congestion issues, and users’ overall health and well-being.
Imagine a scenario where, instead of allocating 100 parking spaces for 100 apartments, you could provide just 5 car share vehicles. Based on existing utilisation data collected from car share provider GoGet, this replacement rate is about right for the inner-city suburbs of Melbourne. At this rate of provision, a member of the carshare scheme would always have access to a car when they needed one.
Our deep dive into car share utilisation data has revealed that people who actively use car share schemes significantly reduce their dependence on cars much more than most people may anticipate. In fact, the data suggests that car share users generate only 4% of the traffic movements compared to their counterparts who own private cars, with car share users more likely to choose active or public transport modes or alter their travel behaviour, rather than defaulting to driving. That’s a staggering 96% reduction in traffic! Surveys suggest that, instead, car share users are more likely to choose active or public transport modes or alter their travel behaviour, removing the need to drive. However, when necessary, a car is always accessible, which calls to mind the 20-minute neighbourhood utopia centred around the idea of living locally.
Fewer cars would undoubtedly be a positive outcome. However, let’s dig deeper into the tremendous benefits car share can deliver. Take a look at the infographic below, which compares a scenario for a 100-apartment development in an inner-city location across four key lenses: car usage, housing affordability, cost of living, and the environment. The results are compelling.
Car Share: The Affordable Housing Saviour, Cost-Cutting Champion and Emissions Slayer
There is a net community benefit to investing in this solution too as the car share vehicles provided on private land are also accessible for use by the broader car share membership in the community. So those in the community would have access to a greater pool of vehicles and the benefits, without requiring specialised lots or kerbside space.
Swapping private car parking for car share should be a valid option across all development types, especially when examining the particular appeal and viability in well-serviced activity centres, build to rent, student accommodation, social and affordable housing developments and even major retail developments.
If you would like to explore car share in your next development, please reach out to the Ratio Consultants team at mail@ratio.com.au.
