Carpool

This article is about the shared use of cars by persons with similar travel needs. For the short-term rental of cars, see Carsharing. For the television series, see Carpoolers. For the internet talk show, see Carpool (web series). For the 1996 film, see Carpool (film).

A sign encouraging carpooling during the gas shortage resulting from the 1973 oil crisis

Carpooling (also known as car-sharing, ride-sharing, lift-sharing and covoiturage), is the sharing of car journeys so that more than one person travels in a car.

By having more people using one vehicle, carpooling reduces each person's travel costs such as fuel costs, tolls, and the stress of driving. Carpooling is also seen as a more environmentally friendly and sustainable way to travel as sharing journeys reduces carbon emissions, traffic congestion on the roads, and the need for parking spaces. Authorities often encourage carpooling, especially during high pollution periods and high fuel prices.

In 2009 carpooling represented 10% of commute travel in the United States, most of which involves spouses.

How it works

Drivers and passengers offer and search for journeys through one of the several mediums available. After finding a match they contact each other to arrange any details for the journey(s). Costs, meeting points and other details like space for luggage are discussed and agreed on. They then meet and carry out their shared car journey(s) as planned.

Carpool pick-up place in the Netherlands

Carpooling is commonly implemented for commuting but is also popular for longer one-off journeys, with the formality and regularity of arrangements varying between schemes and journeys.

Carpooling is not always arranged for the whole length of a journey. Especially on long journeys, it is common for passengers to only join for parts of the journey, and give a contribution based on the distance that they travel. This gives carpooling extra flexibility, and enables more people to share journeys and save money.

The arrangements for carpooling can be made through many different mediums, including:

• Public websites
• Closed website schemes
• Carpooling software
• Manned carpooling agencies
• Pick-up points (not pre-arranged)

Initiatives

In an effort to reduce traffic and encourage carpooling some countries have introduced high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in which only vehicles with two or more passengers are allowed to drive. In some countries it is also common to find parking spaces that are reserved especially for carpoolers. Many companies and local authorities have introduced carpooling schemes, often as part of wider transport programs.

In 2011, an organization called Greenxc created a campaign to in order to encourage others to use this form of transportation in order to reduce their own carbon footprint.

History

A poster used to promote carpooling as a way to ration gasoline during World War II

Carpooling first became prominent in the United States as a rationing tactic during World War II. It returned in the mid-1970s due to the 1973 oil crisis and the 1979 energy crisis. At that time the first employee vanpools were organized at Chrysler and 3M.

Since the 1970s carpooling has declined significantly. In the US it peaked in 1980 with a commute mode share of 19.7%, and by 2010, it was only 10%. Recently, however, the internet has facilitated growth for carpooling. The popularity of the internet and mobile phones has greatly helped carpooling to expand, by enabling people to offer and find rides more easily, and easily contact each other to arrange them.

Forms of carpooling

Carpooling also exists in other forms:

• Slugging is a form of ad-hoc, informal carpooling between strangers. No money changes hands, but a mutual benefit still exists between the driver and passenger(s) making the practice worthwhile.

• Flexible carpooling expands the idea of ad-hoc carpooling by designating formal locations for travelers to join carpools.

• Real-time ridesharing allows people to arrange ad-hoc rides on very short notice, through the use of smartphone applications or the internet. Passengers are simply picked up at their current location.

Challenges for carpooling

• Flexibility - Carpooling can struggle to be flexible enough to accommodate en-route stops or changes to working times/patterns. To counter this some schemes offer 'sweeper services' with later running options, or a 'guaranteed ride home' arrangement with a local taxi company.
• Reliability - If a carpooling network lacks a "critical mass" of participants, it may be difficult to accomplish certain trips. In addition, the parties may not necessarily follow through on the agreed-upon ride. Several internet carpooling schemes are addressing this concern by implementing systems for flagging irresponsible users, and by completing ride payments even if passengers do not turn up.
• Riding with strangers - Concerns over security have long been an obstacle to sharing a vehicle with strangers, though in reality the risk of crime is small. One remedy used by internet carpooling schemes is to use systems for flagging problematic users.

See also

• Slugging
• Real-time ridesharing
• Hitchhiking
• Public transportation
• Rota (schedule)
• Shared transport
• Sustainable transportation
• Vanpool
• When You Ride Alone You Ride with bin Laden
• Car sharing
• Peer-to-peer car rental

External links

• Definitions and benefits of carpooling/ridesharing
• Carpooling at the Open Directory Project