User Preference Analysis for Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) and Its Impact in Maryland

Project Abstract

Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) is an emerging concept in transportation that seeks to find the best solution for improving passenger mobility services. It developed within the last decade, but has already become a popular concept in the transportation and mobility field. MaaS describes a shift away from personally owned modes of transportation and toward mobility provided as a service. It is enabled by integrating transportation services from public and private transportation providers - such as transit, bike sharing, e-scooter sharing, shared mobility and ride hailing - through a unified gateway that creates and manages the trip, for which users can pay with a single account.

In this research project, the research team will explore to what extent MaaS can be a sustainable and promising choice for users through estimating users' willingness-to-pay and user preference structure. Then the results of user preference and willingness-to-pay will be used as an input in a MaaS simulation for the State of Maryland to assess the impact of MaaS adaptation, such as on conventional transit usage, traffic congestion and the environment. Also, the impact of MaaS on travel equity for underserved users will be estimated.

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Universities Involved

Morgan State University

University of Maryland

Principle Investigator

Young-Jae Lee, Morgan State University

Hyeon-Shic Shin, Morgan State University

Paul Schonfeld, University of Maryland

Funding Sources and Amounts

USDOT: $120,000, MSU: $53,460 (match), UMD $24,000 (match)

Start Date

10/1/2021

Completion Date

8/1/2023

Research Outcomes

The methods and findings of this proposed study will provide insights to state planners regarding future mobility trends. MaaS will be a major mobility trend in the future, and understanding user preferences and willingness-to-pay are essential elements in adopting the MaaS platform for Maryland. The results of the survey and analysis will show the future benefit of MaaS adaptation for the State of Maryland, and provide specific policy recommendations for the State of Maryland.

Subject Areas

Urban transportation, public transportation, micro transportation, Mobility-as-a-Service