Awareness and Potential Choices of Carsharing: Comparative Analysis of Data from Four Japanese Cities

This study reports the results of a local survey of carsharing in four Japanese cities which includes the two cities having carsharing. The survey focused on respondents' awareness and expected actions regarding car ownership, and stated choice of carsharing membership. The survey was implemented in February to April, 2010. Sample sizes are 208 in Meidaimae, 275 in Hikarigaoka, 158 in Fujisawa, and 365 in Utsunomiya, respectively. No carsharing users are included in the respondents. After the data was gathered, the modal and carsharing membership choices were empirically analyzed. The survey results indicate the following: car owners are more aware of carsharing than non-owners, non-owners consider using carsharing more often than car owners, 30-40 percent of the surveyed individuals would choose to forego car ownership if they were a member of a carsharing service, individuals seem to make rational decisions regarding membership under different hypothetical cases, and the availability of carsharing services and public transportation, trip distance, and household income influence whether one participates in carsharing.