Carsharing

What-Carsharing by Mike Meador Carsharing is a system where a __fleet__ of cars (or other __vehicles')__ is owned and operated/overseen by a __company,__ public agency, __ cooperative, __ //ad hoc// grouping, or even a single individual, and made available for use by members of the carshare group in a wide variety of ways. The costs and troubles of vehicle purchase, ownership and maintenance are transferred to a central organizer (the Carshare Operator or more familiarly CSO). It has been around in various forms for more than half a century, but it is only in the last decade that it has begun to gather force as a viable alternative to car ownership—for some people and some places. Today there are more than six hundred cities in the world where people can carshare.ni 4 Where-Despite its evident English language origins, the term //Carsharing// (earlier often written as two separate words, and still today occasionally hyphenated) is now the widely accepted international term. The most prominent exceptions include "Autodelen" in Dutch, "Autopartage" in French, and "Bilpool" in Swedish. In the United Kingdom the words "Car Clubs" are used. Car Sharing is used in the UK to refer to ride sharing. This list goes on, ahnost every local operations has its own favored term. Among them: Andelsbilklub, AutoDelen, Autotaxis, Autoteilen, Auto zum Teilen, Autoparate, Autovennietung, Bilpool, Block Cars, Caisse Commune, CampusCars, car-sharing, CarSharing, Caisse Commune, Car-Share, CityCarClub, community cars, CHOICE, cOgO Car, Co-Op Auto Network, Cooperative Auto Network (CAN), Dancing Rabbit^ GreenCar, ICVS, HaBil, Motor Pool Co-operative, NTUC CarCo-op. Posibil (Norway), PubliCars, self-drive taxis, Stadtcar, StattAuto, Stadtmobil, Station Cars, teilAuto, (ultra) short term car rental, Witkars, and ZipCar. // How it works // The technology of CSOs varies enormously, from simple manual systems using key boxes and log books to increasingly complex computer-based systems with supporting software packages that handle a growing array of back office functions. The simplest CSOs have only one or two pick-up points, but more advanced systems have a decentralized network of parking locations ("pods") stationed in different areas. While differing markedly in their objectives, size, business models, levels of ambition, technology and target markets, these programs do share many features. The more established operations usually require a check of past driving records and a monthly or annual fee in order to become a member. The vehicle is reserved in advance, usually over the Internet or telephone (and increasingly by mobile phones, including by SMS). Most companies charge an hourly fee for the time that the car is in use, plus a fee per mile driven. Some CSOs offer a discounted all-day .rate for their cars. If a vehicle is not returned at the scheduled time, a high penalty is charged, since it may interfere with other drivel's' reservations. Members are responsible for leaving the vehicles on time, in the agreed parking area, clean and in good condition for the next user. [edit] // Goals, advantages, and achievements // Carsharing is a highly decentralized phenomenon which varies in its goals and implementations widely from place to place. Similarly there are wide variations in goals, etc. The listing mat follows has been compiled from numerous sources, some of which are identified in the Reference section below, and others which can be found in the __shared library of resources and research__ the World Carshare Consortium:Most Carsharing advocates, operators and cooperating public agencies believe that those who do not drive daily or who drive less than 10,000 kilometers annually may find Carsharing to be more cost-effective than car ownership. (In point of fact, x2 variations up and down on this figure are reported by operators and others depending on local context.) ffl Sharing vehicles amongst several users provides more alternatives to people that cannot afford car ownership. It can also help ease congestion on busy city streets and parking lots. For some users, Carsharing reduces the dependence on automobiles and increases usage of more enviornmentally friendly forms of transportation. [edit] // Disadvantages // Since Carsharing competes with an idea and mode of life which is largely supported by the media (not necessarily consciously), entrenched habits and beliefs, and broadly shared aspirations of many people in many places (that is owning and driving your own car), it is not an easy idea to gain support for. The automotive industry has opposed carsharing programs because they ultimately lower demand for new automobile purchases.The concept does not work well in heavily __suburbanized__ areas (those suffering from __urban sprawl)__ - such areas are generally built for those who own a vehicle, and a resident would not be able to conveniently reach a central pickup location if there is insufficient public transit, hi the developing world, there are several main currents of resistance to this transportation concept. By many observers, including experts, it is felt to be irrelevant given the scope of the problems that especially the larger and more traffic strangled mega-cities face. Carsharing runs into problems in places where significant numbers of people need a car to get to work or for other every day transport needs.lt is also important that there be adequate density of these potential users so that a vehicle can be well used. Therefore, carsharing has met with success in dense cities, and in some university towns.