What is the Nexus of Shared Mobility and Public Transportation? Lessons from Culver City

Summary of MOVE Culver City Program:

The MOVE Culver City program, initiated in 2022, is a comprehensive effort to revitalize the city's transportation network. The program encompasses a series of projects aimed at improving mobility options, reducing congestion, and promoting sustainability. The overarching objective of the MOVE Culver City program is to create a more efficient, equitable, and environmentally friendly transportation system for residents and visitors alike.

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One of the key elements of the program was to create mobility lanes in both directions on the 1.3 mile stretch of Culver Boulevard and Washington Boulevard, in order to offer different mobility options to cyclists, scooters, emergency vehicles and transit. The lanes have the added effect of making it easier to take multimodal journeys which start or end at the Culver City station on LA Metro’s busy E Line, which connects Santa Monica with East Los Angeles.

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Analysis Methodology:

Shared micro mobility has been a part of the transportation landscape in Culver City since 2018, with scooters gradually becoming more integrated into the fabric of transportation options. The analysis of shared mobility trips in Culver City leverages Vianova's extensive data solutions and utilizes a comprehensive methodology to ensure accuracy and relevance. The definitions below were established to categorize shared mobility trips based on their origin, destination, and route characteristics, allowing for a nuanced analysis of travel patterns within Culver City and its surrounding areas:

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1. Internal: trips that both originate and terminate in Culver City
2. External: trips that either originate or terminate outside of Culver City
3. Round-trips: trips that both originate and terminate at the Expo E Line transit hub
4. Inbound: trips that originate elsewhere and terminate at the Expo E Line transit hub
5. Outbound: trips that originate at the Expo E Line transit hub and terminate elsewhere

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The analysis also considers various cycling network categories to study the infrastructure's effect on travel behavior. Not all bike infrastructure is built the same, and the city was curious to understand how the different levels of comfort changed the utility of the infrastructure.

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‍Analysis of Shared Mobility Trips:

Trip Types at Expo E Line

Shared mobility trips originating from, terminating at, or passing through the Expo E Line transit hub constitute a substantial portion of Culver City's transportation activity, comprising 22% of all shared mobility journeys during the January to April 2024 period. This is the reason why we have chosen to focus the analyses on the trips to and from the Expo E Line hub.

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These trips are classified into three distinct categories based on their origin, destination, and route characteristics: round-trips, internal trips, and external trips. Each category offers unique insights into rider behavior and travel patterns within the Culver City area.

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In the analyses below we're analysing more specifically the internal and external shared mobility trips, identifying the trends coming in and out of the Expo E Line transit hub.

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Where are trips occuring that start or end inside Culver City?

A detailed examination of internal trips to and from the Expo E Line reveals interesting trends in trip distribution across Culver City's various districts. Notably, the districts of Downtown, Macmanus, and Lucerne/Higuera emerge as key hubs for shared mobility activity, attracting a significant volume of trips to and from the Expo E Line. 

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                                                               Outbound Trips: from Expo E Line to Culver City Districts

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                                                               Inbound Trips: from Culver City Districts to Expo E Line

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The strategic deployment of cycling infrastructure, particularly along the South West to North East diagonal route intersecting the Metro E Line, has contributed to heightened trip volumes in these districts (particularly for outbound trips). The correlation between newly established cycling paths and increased mobility underscores the effectiveness of targeted infrastructure investments in shaping commuter behavior.

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Where are trips occuring that start or end outside Culver City? 

Beyond Culver City's borders, neighboring districts in Los Angeles County play a pivotal role in shaping regional transportation dynamics. Analysis of shared mobility trips between the Expo E Line and adjacent neighborhoods, including Palms, Mid-City, and West Adams, sheds light on cross-jurisdictional travel patterns. 

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                                                               Outbound Trips: from Expo E Line to Neighboring Districts

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                                                                Inbound Trips: from Neighboring Districts to Expo E Line

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These districts serve as important nodes in the broader transportation network, facilitating seamless connectivity between Culver City and surrounding areas. The findings underscore the interconnected nature of urban mobility and highlight the importance of collaboration in addressing regional transportation challenges.

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Isochrone Map Analysis:

To visualize travel time variations and assess the impact of cycling infrastructure on trip durations, we've generated an isochrone map for trips originating from the Expo E Line. The map overlays existing cycling paths, categorized based on their level of separation from vehicular traffic (Class I, II, III, and IV).

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The analysis reveals distinct travel time patterns, with routes aligned with Class IV separated bikeways demonstrating significantly shorter trip durations (< 10 minutes) compared to routes lacking dedicated cycling infrastructure. The spatial distribution of travel times highlights the role of cycling paths in enhancing mobility and reducing congestion along key transportation corridors. Furthermore, disparities in travel times between different districts underscore the need for equitable access to transportation infrastructure across Culver City.

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‍Conclusion:

In conclusion, the analysis of shared mobility trips in Culver City provides valuable insights into the efficacy of the MOVE Culver City program in promoting sustainable transportation options and improving connectivity. The findings underscore the importance of targeted infrastructure investments, such as cycling lanes, in shaping commuter behavior and alleviating traffic congestion. 

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The analyses also highlighted some key insights into the efficiency of the cycling network and the different classes of infrastructure that can be analysed further. By leveraging data-driven insights, policymakers can make informed decisions to further enhance Culver City's transportation network and foster a more livable urban environment.

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Vianova Advisory Professional Services:

This analysis was conducted as part of Vianova's Advisory Professional Services, which offers a comprehensive suite of data analytics and industry expertise to support evidence-based decision-making. Ready to learn more? Visit our page to get in touch.