PRESENTATION ARCHIVE
OVERVIEW
Shared electric scooters (e-scooters) are fast becoming a mobility option in cities across the United States. This new micromobility mode has the potential to replace car usage for certain trips, which stands to have a positive impact on public health and sustainability goals. However, many aspects of this emerging mode are not well understood.This webinar explores the findings of three NITC studies examining transportation mode choices, safety, and public health outcomes of electric scooters.
KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this presentation, the participant will be able to:
- describe the ways in which electric scooters may provide new substitutive, complimentary or synergist transportation opportunities for different activities, compared with conventional modes (e.g., vehicles, transit, biking, walking).
- distinguish different types of crash and injury behaviors and risks for electric scooter users in the built environment.
- recognize relationships between mode choices around e-scooters may influence other health outcomes, including those related to changes in physical activities.
THE RESEARCH
The three studies were funded by the National Institute for Transportation and Communities (NITC):
- Evaluation of Portland Shared E-Scooter Pilot Program Goals and Outcomes: The primary objective of this research is to quantify the impacts of scooter operations on vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Led by John MacArthur, Portland State University.
- Scooting to a New Era in Active Transportation: Examining the Use and Safety of E-Scooters: This study examined the interplay between demographics, behaviors and trip purposes in order to better understand the potential impacts of e-scooters on land use, infrastructure and sustainability goals. Led by Kristi Currans, University of Arizona.
- E-Scooters and Public Health: Understanding the Implications of E-Scooters on Chronic Disease: This project investigates the impact of e-scooter use on chronic disease and public health, examining factors such as pollution exposure and physical activity. Led by Nicole Iroz-Elardo, University of Arizona.
SPEAKERS
Kristi Currans, University of Arizona
Kristina Currans is an Assistant Professor in the College of Architecture, Planning & Landscape Architecture at the University of Arizona in Tucson. She studies the intersection between transportation and land use development. Although trained as a civil engineer, Dr. Currans' work bridges the transportation planning and engineering disciplines. Her current research and teaching emphasizes the rethinking and redeveloping new data and methods for applications in practice to help communities plan for the places they want. Recent and ongoing research includes: (1) Operationalizing the link between off-site parking supply and vehicle demand impacts for practice; (2) Shared electric scooter programs and how they can be integrated into traveler's behavior choices; (3) How the availability of transportation infrastructure impacts transportation choices (e.g., drive, walk, bike); and (4) The impact of transit investment on real estate values across multiple regions and transit systems.
Nicole Iroz-Elardo, University of Arizona
Nicole Iroz-Elardo is an Assistant Research Professor in the School of Landscape Architecture and Planning. Cross-trained in planning and public health, her research focuses on how to plan healthier and more equitable communities. Dr. Iroz-Elardo has a PhD in Urban Studies from Portland State University. Her doctoral research investigated the extent to which Health Impact Assessment provided an additional participation avenue for vulnerable communities in transportation planning processes. She has previously worked for Urban Design 4 Health, Inc., Oregon Health Authority, and Battelle Memorial Institute. At each, she specialized in translating cutting-edge research into practitioner tools to increase the suite of information upon which decisions - public and private - are made.
John MacArthur, Portland State University
Mr. John MacArthur is the Sustainable Transportation Program Manager at TREC at Portland State University and an instructor in civil and environmental engineering, teaching on new & emerging technologies in transportation. He is active in research related to sustainable and equitable transportation, particularly in the areas of emerging tech such as e-bikes, bike share, transit, and the relationship between transportation and public health. Mr. MacArthur is the Section Chair for Transportation Research Board’s AME00 Transportation and Society and a member of Innovative Public Transportation Services and Technologies (AP020). He received his BS in Civil Engineering from Lehigh University and a MS in Environmental Health Sciences from the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
This 60-minute webinar is eligible for 1 hour of professional development credit for AICP (see our provider summary). We provide an electronic attendance certificate for other types of certification maintenance.
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Photo by Sundry Photography/iStock
This webinar is hosted by the Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University. The research was funded by the Summit Foundation and the National Institute for Transportation and Communities (NITC), a program of TREC and one of five U.S. Department of Transportation national university transportation centers. The NITC program is a Portland State-led partnership with the University of Oregon, Oregon Institute of Technology, University of Utah and new partners University of Arizona and University of Texas at Arlington. We pursue our theme — improving mobility of people and goods to build strong communities — through research, education and technology transfer.