Shared-Use Mobility Center Formed to Accelerate Availability, Equity and Impact of Innovative New Urban Transportation Models

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - Jun 10, 2014) - A team of transportation professionals led by the Center for Neighborhood Technology the Transportation Sustainability Research Center of the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Transit Center have joined forces to create the Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC), which will be headquartered in Chicago. The announcement was made at the Innovations in Mobility Public Policy Summit taking place in Washington, DC. today and tomorrow.

The organization is a center of excellence dedicated to achieving universal, affordable and sustainable mobility in urban and metropolitan regions of the U.S. through the efficient sharing of transportation assets among peers and through third-party operators. The center is focused on expanding U.S. mobility choices for people and communities by enriching and integrating shared-use mobility services through collaboration and innovation.

To achieve its goals, the Center will focus on three objectives: build broad awareness of the value of shared-use mobility to contribute to new transportation solutions; explore, develop and help accelerate models for shared-use mobility that work for everyone; and work with industry, cities and other governmental agencies to craft policies, programs and standards that demonstrate the potential of shared-use mobility.

"Swelling urban populations, increased availability of innovative new transportation options and a reduction in overall car driving are fundamentally reshaping how people get in, out and around cities," said Sharon Feigon, the Center's Executive Director, and the former CEO of IGO CarSharing. "Our goal is to help all stakeholders create mutually beneficial systems that are sustainable, equitable and effective."

The Center has two initial policy initiatives, including a policy working group and an equity working group. The Policy Working Group is developing a playbook for local government, which will explore innovative approaches to developing policy and incentives around shared mobility. It will also seek to create new approaches for addressing controversial issues, such as safety regulations and use of public space, as well as tackling standards, mode definitions, and common technological platforms.

The Equity Working Group is developing a guidebook that highlights successful projects and includes policy and other recommendations for creating successful shared mobility strategies that can meet the needs of low-income households, people of color, older adults, and disabled individuals. The extent to which shared mobility can address environmental and social concerns has not been fully explored, and the SUMC is focused on addressing this.

SUMC partners represent decades of transportation experience in shared mobility operations, government, and collaboration with cities on transit-oriented development and cutting edge research. Sharin Feigon brings 10 years of experience in shared mobility, including introducing a new mode of transport to Chicago and demonstrating large-scale change in travel behaviors. The University of California Berkeley's Transportation Sustainability Research Center (TSRC) has been the leading research center in exploring the benefits, impacts, and trends in shared mobility. The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) has been a leader on urban sustainability and innovation for 35 years, and the TransitCenter brings longstanding experience in government relations and transit operations.

About the Shared-Use Mobility Center
The Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) is a center of excellence dedicated to achieving universal, affordable and sustainable mobility in urban and metropolitan regions of the U.S. through the efficient sharing of transportation assets among peers and through third-party operators. The center is focused on expanding U.S. mobility choices for people and communities by enriching and integrating shared-use mobility services through collaboration and innovation. Shared-use mobility is defined as mobility services that are shared among users including traditional public transportation; taxis and limos; ridesharing; carsharing; on-demand services; bikesharing; scooter sharing; shuttle services; neighborhood jitneys; and commercial delivery vehicles providing flexible goods movement. The Center's mission is to advance transportation policy and practice in shared-use mobility. More information is available via the web at www.sharedusemobilitycenter.org.