A multi-method approach to investigate the potential of micromobility as a complement to existing public transport networks for improved accessibility and door-to-door connectivity

One of the biggest challenges for cities the world over is to minimise the negative externalities of private car use: harmful emissions, air and noise pollution, congestion, safety risks for more vulnerable road users, and the inefficient and costly use of public space. Reducing the volume of car trips requires consistent and durable mode shifts to more sustainable modes, such as active modes – walking and cycling – and micromobility for short distances, or a combination of these modes and public transport for longer distances. Micromobility – the use of micro-vehicles – is a highly debated topic: the novelty of these vehicles and the rapidity with which both private and shared micro-vehicles have been introduced in cities around the world have resulted in a polarising debate. Nevertheless, much of the research to date concurs that the greatest potential for micromobility to contribute to more sustainable urban mobility systems is given by the combination of micromobility and public transport as a substitution of more carbon-intensive modes. This thesis explores the integration of micromobility and public transport through a multi-method approach in the case study area of County Dublin, Ireland. A thorough systematic literature review was conducted to assess the current state of knowledge and identify gaps in the literature. In a second step, based on the findings of the literature review, a stated preference experiment was designed and conducted to analyse user characteristics and preferences in access and egress trips. Lastly, a GIS analysis was conducted to assess built environment characteristics and infrastructure elements that are conducive to a successful integration of micromobility and public transport. The findings presented in this thesis provide a valuable contribution to the understanding of micromobility and public transport integration, by highlighting the most relevant aspects of this complex system and proposing a novel methodology to assess the availability and quality of relevant infrastructure that facilitates micromobility use for access and egress trips at and around public transport stops.