Cluster analysis of carsharing users’ behavior in Bangkok, a highly motorized and developing city

Abstract

The number of personal cars is expected to rise at a rapid rate, particularly in developing countries, such as China and India. These increases will hamper the global effort to reach the climate target set by the Paris Agreement as most of these vehicles will be fossil-fuel powered. Urban carsharing is a Transport Demand Management measure that can reduce and delay vehicle purchasing. However, little has been reported on its utilization, particularly in the context of developing countries. This study provides empirical results on how a dominantly station-based carsharing service in Bangkok city, Thailand, is utilized. We analyzed the data generated by the service to provide descriptive information on the users' behavior. We also clustered the users into three groups; frequent users, typical car renters, and young car sharers to provide new insights into how carsharing is utilized by the Bangkokians. The outcomes provide a reference case for future studies and support policy-making to promote carsharing in a similar context.