Integrating Dynamic Ride-Sharing in MATSim: Assessing the Impacts of Dynamic Ride Sharing on the Environment. The Case Study of Upper Austria

Dynamic ride-sharing (DRS), enabled by technology, has the potential to revolutionize the way people travel, offering an efficient and cost-effective alternative to individual travel. By facilitating the process of matching drivers and riders, DRS can significantly reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicles on the road, thereby mitigating traffic congestion and reducing carbon emissions. However, promoting DRS is a complex challenge that requires careful planning and strategic interventions. Before implementing any measures, it is crucial to evaluate their effectiveness, as some policies and measures may have unintended consequences on the transport system and the environment. This research focuses on the integration of DRS as a novel mode in the agent-based framework, MATSim. The aim is to provide a tool that can evaluate the effects of different DRS interventions on the whole transport system. The thesis proposes a methodology for integrating DRS into MATSim and develops and tests the extension. A case study is conducted using this new extension to assess the impacts of financial incentives for drivers on reducing vehicle km travelled. The results show that this measure could lead to an increase in vehicle kilometers travelled due to driving being more attractive. The findings of this study highlight the benefits of utilizing agent-based models such as MATSim for modeling DRS and gaining a comprehensive understanding of its impacts on the transportation system. Despite the advantages of integrating DRS in MATSim, the study also identified some limitations which can be addressed through further research and extension of the model.