An On-Demand Electric Transit Case Study of New Rochelle, New York

Conference · Fri Jan 10 00:00:00 EST 2025

OSTI ID:2502024

Powell, Bonnie; Sperling, Joshua; Esteban, Johnny; Serrano, Emily; Weigl, Dustin; Young, Stan

This work explores the extent to which an on-demand mobility service utilizing lightweight electric vehicles (EVs) provides community and sustainability benefits in New Rochelle, New York. Travel and survey data from September 2019 through 2023 are used to describe the system and estimate impacts on travelers. The system was found to be used more by women (nearly 60%) and younger demographics (>65% under the age of 42), with peak use in the middle of the day and a grocery store as a top origin and destination. The service is utilized primarily for short trips (86% under 2 miles), and the small, right-sized EVs have carbon dioxide emissions associated with charging the fleet that are roughly one-quarter of the fleet emissions of conventional hybrid vans and nearly 50 times less than a fleet of diesel buses. Mapping current socio-spatial dynamics of travel demand can inform equity performance, as well as assist future planning and service area development and possible extensions to similar smaller, lower-density environments that are nearby and connected to major metropolitan areas. The findings in this case study suggest on-demand electric transit may be a significant and growing space for advancing clean and highly valued public mobility services. Sustainable public transport interventions that consider right-sized, electric, on-demand vehicles can help achieve improved accessibility and reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. This work was presented at the Transportation Research Board (TRB) 2025 Annual Meeting on January 7, 2025.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Transportation Office. Vehicle Technologies Office
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 2502024
• Report Number(s): NREL/PR-5R00-92497; MainId:94278; UUID:0d8b52cb-18d0-4e33-98c4-6bd9a9ba110a; MainAdminId:75725
• Conference Information: Presented at the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2025, 5-9 January 2025, Washington, DC
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS,ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
case study
electric vehicles
on-demand transit
public transportation