Empirical Analysis of Demand Patterns and Availability in Free-Floating Carsharing Systems

Carsharing (CS) services enable users not to have to depend on a privately owned vehicle by supplying cars for spontaneous rental. Optimized service, higher system availability and a more efficient urban transportation system can be obtained by analyzing a wide usage behavior and diurnal patterns within such a system. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the spatio-temporal behavior of such a service, it is vital to distinguish different demand patterns occurring within urban areas. We therefore analyze the demand for carsharing in the city of Munich, Germany. Based on data of a free-floating carsharing (FFCS) service provider we analyze rentals, drop-offs, and resulting availability of vehicles within different urban areas as well as develop diurnal demand patterns and cluster these by incorporating an incremental cross-correlation clustering. The compiled pattern clusters reveal notable distinctions in terms of demand, returns, and vehicle availability between the examined areas. By recognizing and analyzing these distinctions, FFCS will be able to adapt to new business areas, service operation, and pricing strategies in order to optimize their service.