Company-Wide Carpooling for Long Distance Commuting in South Korea and Its Effects on Reducing Transportation Problems

Abstract

Car ownership and its resulting traffic congestion have been a global problem in the transport, energy, and environmental sectors. And as such, a shared transportation system, such as car sharing, carpooling, and public bicycles, is important in providing a curb and solution to the problem. The study explores the unique voluntary carpooling program operated by employees at Korea Land & Housing Institute and focuses on the feasibility of carpooling as an alternative for long-distance commute, which not only reduces traffic but also the carpooling users’ costs. This study analyzed two data sets: a carpooling satisfaction survey and three-year carpool usage logs. The results showed that the carpooling rate for commuting to and from work was clearly higher among employees in their 40s and 50s than among the younger age groups. Many employees carpooled less than twice a month, but still, about 30% of the employees carpooled three or more times a month. Over the past 3 years, the driver participants averaged 11.8 carpooling trips and all carpoolers were satisfied with the carpooling. There were approximately two times more passenger participants than driver participants. More than half participated as drivers and occasionally as passengers. Thus, if commuting to the new worksite by public transport isn’t convenient, carpooling is one of the best solutions to relieve the commuting burden in a short period of time. The increase in carpool usage suggests that traffic demand management policies that encourage carpooling can alleviate traffic congestion, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and energy consumption.