Factors Associated with Carsharing Adoption in a Developing Country, Iran

Abstract: While carsharing has gained significant attention in the United States and Europe, research in developing countries remains limited. This paper addresses this gap by examining the potential for carsharing in Tehran, Iran's capital, and most populated city. Tehran experiences traffic congestion, scarcity of parking spaces and higher travel demand, making it a potential candidate for implementing carsharing services to alleviate these issues. Public sector support is generally necessary for carsharing services to operate successfully. This study aims to recognize critical factors influencing individuals' inclination toward carsharing and assess Iranians' tendency to support carsharing services. An online survey was conducted, garnering 849 responses, with 528 completed questionnaires providing comprehensive information on demographics, travel behavior, and interest in carsharing. Descriptive statistics reveal that the majority of respondents are interested in carsharing, possessing driver's licenses, and driving independently. An ordered logit regression was employed to identify factors influencing the inclination toward carsharing. The results revealed that income, education, age, environmental concerns, and the use of walking and bicycling as daily travel modes are associated with Iranians' interest in carsharing. These findings can guide policies and marketing strategies to successfully establish carsharing services in Tehran, targeting populations more likely to engage based on these factors.