The Disruptive Role of Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) as an Airport Access Mode: Evidence from California Airports

Air travel has grown steadily in the past few decades. With increased travel to/from airports, pressure to build new transportation infrastructure to serve these facilities is also growing. Traditional airport access modes include drive and park, drop-off by a family member, taxi, rental car, or public transit. During the past few years, though, ridehailing services have proved to be a convenient and cost-effective access mode, reducing the need for taxis as well as the justification for additional parking space or the expansion of mass transit options. For example, data from Northern California airports show that public transit ridership on lines serving San Francisco International and Oakland International airports has declined in spite of the growing number of passengers at these airports. To understand the impact of transportation network companies (TNCs) on airport access, investigators will conduct an online survey of (business and leisure) air travelers and airport employees at several California airports to collect information on key factors affecting their airport access/egress mode choice decisions. This topic is particularly important as airports are one of the most frequent destinations of ridehailing trips and they have the ability to implement fees or other policies to regulate ridehailing use (e.g., to support more sustainable and energy-efficient transportation solutions).

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