Users’ Matching Preferences and Use Intentions in a Community Ridesharing System

Abstract

In community ridesharing, where only members of the same community share rides, user preferences regarding matched partners can significantly impact the system’s success. This study examines the factors influencing matching preferences and their effect on ridesharing participation for both riders and drivers, with a focus on community ridesharing within a university campus. A stated preference survey was designed and conducted to develop matching preference models and use frequency models. The results indicate that, in addition to travel time and ridesharing fees, social similarities (e.g., gender and nationality) and the strength of relationships among users significantly influence matching preferences and ridesharing frequency. Notably, ridesharing frequency tends to increase and service sustainability is better supported when individuals with strong social ties or the same gender are matched (homophily effects). Furthermore, our results indicate that autonomous vehicles can increase ridesharing use, presumably because no communication with drivers is required.