Public Use of Autos: Mobility Enterprise Project

Abstract

The results of experiments testing the public use of automobiles in the United States are presented. The Purdue Mobility Enterprise system was a work‐based shared‐vehicle concept, where households used mini/micro‐class automobiles for normal daily travel, and full‐sized shared vehicles for less frequent but more demanding trips. Comparisons between a mobility enterprise system and more typical auto ownership schemes are presented with respect to transportation costs and vehicle utilization. An analysis of the key attributes for success of such a system and a review of a home‐based system (the STAR project) are also presented.