Recent advances in battery technology and the global shift toward sustainable transport have accelerated the adoption of electrified public transit systems. However, the implementation of such systems is often constrained by the need for large battery capacities and the high costs associated with stationary charging infrastructure. This study investigates the potential of Mobile Autonomous Charging Pods (MAPs) which are autonomous mobile charging vehicles as an innovative and cost-effective strategy to support the electrification of high-frequency urban bus lines. Using microscopic simulation for inner-city trunk lines in Stockholm, three charging configurations are evaluated: (i) depot-only charging, (ii) depot charging combined with end-station charging, and (iii) depot charging supported by MAPs. Results show that the MAP-based approach enables a reduction in total battery capacity by up to 67% compared to the depot-only strategy and yields total cost savings of over 7 million USD in total cost of ownership across an 11-year horizon. In addition to reducing capital and grid connection costs, MAPs offer greater operational flexibility and resilience by decentralizing energy delivery and enabling dynamic in-motion or stationary charging. The findings highlight MAPs as a scalable and economically viable solution that complements traditional depot infrastructure, offering a path toward more adaptable and efficient electric public transport networks.

Recent advances in automation have accelerated the development of autonomous electric vehicles (AEVs), which offer the potential for continuous operation, constrained primarily by the need for recharging. We propose a dynamic charging strategy based on Mobile Autonomous Charging Pods (MAPs), which are battery-equipped electric vehicles capable of transferring energy to AEVs while in motion. We introduce a dedicated simulation framework within the microscopic traffic simulator SUMO, incorporating MAP-specific modules for assignment, navigation, and real-time energy transfer under realistic traffic constraints. We model the behavior of both MAPs and AEVs in a stylized looped network and evaluate system-level performance under various demand and fleet configurations. Key performance indicators include energy consumption, charging efficiency, battery utilization, and reductions in AEV battery capacity requirements. Simulation results demonstrate that MAPs can effectively support continuous AEV operation, achieving up to 14% battery downsizing with minimal infrastructure investment, while also reducing travel time by 7%, relative to fixed charging solutions. This study lays the foundation for simulation-based evaluation of MAP-based dynamic charging as a scalable, flexible, and efficient alternative to fixed charging solutions.

Recent advances in automation have accelerated the development of autonomous electric vehicles (AEVs), which offer the potential for continuous operation, constrained primarily by the need for recharging. We propose a dynamic charging strategy based on Mobile Autonomous Charging Pods (MAPs), which are battery-equipped electric vehicles capable of transferring energy to AEVs while in motion. We introduce a dedicated simulation framework within the microscopic traffic simulator SUMO, incorporating MAP-specific modules for assignment, navigation, and real-time energy transfer under realistic traffic constraints. We model the behavior of both MAPs and AEVs in a stylized looped network and evaluate system-level performance under various demand and fleet configurations. Key performance indicators include energy consumption, charging efficiency, battery utilization, and reductions in AEV battery capacity requirements. Simulation results demonstrate that MAPs can effectively support continuous AEV operation, achieving up to 14% battery downsizing with minimal infrastructure investment, while also reducing travel time by 7%, relative to fixed charging solutions. This study lays the foundation for simulation-based evaluation of MAP-based dynamic charging as a scalable, flexible, and efficient alternative to fixed charging solutions.

The electrification of transportation has emerged as a key focus area over the past decade, driven by the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and supportive governmental policies. Conventional EV charging solutions, while foundational, face notable challenges such as high infrastructure costs, low flexibility, and underutilization. Simultaneously, emerging transportation modes such as autonomous vehicles, shared mobility, modular systems, and aerial vehicles, introduce additional complexities, demanding more innovative charging solutions. This review emphasizes the potential of charge-on-the-move systems referred to as dynamic charging, as a transformative approach to address these challenges. Dynamic charging enables EVs to recharge while in motion, presenting opportunities to minimize battery sizes, reduce emissions, and optimize operational efficiency. The study critically evaluates state-of-the-art dynamic charging technologies, including their benefits, limitations, and applicability to future mobility systems, while also comparing these solutions based on infrastructure costs, readiness, and scalability. The findings suggest that the future of EV charging will likely involve a hybrid approach, integrating both conventional and dynamic solutions. Key priorities for advancing dynamic charging include developing optimization models for infrastructure deployment, finding the balance between battery size and battery life, establishing interoperability standards, and enhancing energy transfer efficiency while ensuring safety and sustainability. By addressing these research challenges, dynamic charging systems have the potential to redefine EV infrastructure and support the broader transition to sustainable and efficient mobility ecosystems. This review serves as a guide for researchers and planners seeking to align charging technologies with evolving transportation needs.

Introduktion

Delade elsparkcyklar är nu en vanlig syn i många städer i Sverige, men färdmedlet betraktas fortfarande som ett nytt inslag i gatubilden. Förespråkare för elsparkcyklar lyfter ofta fram färdmedlet för dess potential att lösa kollektivtrafikens problem med first/last mile. Det finns dock fortfarande betydande kunskapsluckor kring multimodala resor som kombinerar delade elsparkcyklar och kollektivtrafik. Den här studien undersöker vilka elsparkcykelanvändare i Stockholm, Göteborg och Malmö som gör multimodala resor.

Metod

En webbaserad enkät distribuerades till elsparkcykelanvändare i Stockholm, Göteborg och Malmö under hösten 2022. Den ursprungliga studien genomfördes för att undersöka attityder och uppfattningar om det nationella parkeringsförbud som infördes den 1 september 2022. Förutom frågor om utformningen av parkering för elsparkcyklar och förändringar i resebeteende, fick respondenterna också frågor om kombinerade resor med delade elsparkcyklar och kollektivtrafik under de senaste sex månaderna. Dessutom samlade vi in information om demografiska och socioekonomiska faktorer hos elsparkcykelanvändarna. Totalt samlades in 965 svar för Stockholm, 145 för Göteborg och 159 för Malmö. Genom att uppskatta logistiska och ordinala regressionsmodeller för varje stad visade vi både vilka användargrupper som har gjort first- och last-mile-resor med delade elsparkcyklar samt vilka som gjort det i störst utsträckning sett till andel av resor.

Resultat

I Stockholm hade användare med högre användningsgrad av elsparkcyklar en högre sannolikhet att ha gjort en first- eller last-mile-resa under de senaste sex månaderna. Användare med högre inkomster och de som bor i stadens centrum hade en lägre sannolikhet att både ha gjort en multimodal resa samt att göra det i stor utsträckning sett till deras totala antal resor. Även i Göteborg hade användare som bodde utanför centrum en högre sannolikhet för att göra en kombinerad resa med kollektivtrafik. I Malmö hade användare som använde delade elsparkcyklar varje vecka en högre sannolikhet att ha använt delade elsparkcyklar för att ansluta till eller från kollektivtrafik, medan användare över 30 års ålder hade en lägre sannolikhet. Vi kan dra slutsatsen att resultaten inte kan generaliseras, eftersom olika grupper gör multimodala resor i alla tre städer. Vi kan också dra denna slutsats när vi jämför våra resultat med andra studier.

Slutsats

Våra resultat visar att delade elsparkcyklar kan spela olika roller för olika användargrupper. För yngre användare, med lägre inkomst och som bor utanför stadens centrum, kan delade elsparkcyklar ha en större kompletterande roll med kollektivtrafik. Detta belyser den roll som delade elsparkcyklar har i det större transportsystemet och den potential som färdmedlet har. I takt med att behovet av hållbara alternativ till privatbilismen växer finns det ett behov av att ytterligare förbättra och främja kollektivtrafiken, och resultaten från denna studie blir alltmer relevanta.

On-board crowding in public transportation has significant impact on passengers' travel experience. New land-use planning configurations can have wide-ranging crowding effects in the public transportation system. Nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge on the crowding implications caused by new urban developments. In this study, we propose a method for quantifying the network-wide crowding implications of a new urban development. We apply the method to different kinds of urban developments in terms of type, size, location, proximity to high-capacity public transportation connections as well as socioeconomic characteristics. Size and proximity to a high-capacity connection are highly influential factors in determining the value and the geographical extent of the crowding implications. The analysis proposed in this paper can serve as a tool for the ex-post quantification of the on-board crowding impacts using automated data sources. The insights gained can be utilized in more efficient dimensioning of the supply (service) for newly developed areas as well as for placement of future urban developments accounting for the resulting crowding effects.

New land-use planning configurations can have wide-ranging crowding effects on the public transportation system, given the ongoing increase in urban agglomerations worldwide. In this study, we propose a method for quantifying the network-wide crowding implications of new developments accounting for their socioeconomic and planning characteristics. Size and proximity to a high-capacity connection are highly influential factors in determining crowding implications’ extent and geographical spread. Interestingly, the income level can have a twofold effect on crowding contributions (increase or decrease). The proposed method can serve as a tool for the ex-post quantification of the crowding impacts using automated data sources.

As shared e-scooter systems have been introduced globally, many cities encounter issues with clutter caused by improperly parked vehicles. In response, cities have started implementing parking regulations. Based on a user survey, this study utilizes binary and ordinal logistic regression to analyze user attitudes towards regulated parking in designated zones, changes in ridership following policy implementation, and the key factors influencing these two aspects in Stockholm and Malmö, Sweden. Users in Stockholm and Malmö showed similarly mixed attitudes towards the parking regulations, despite Stockholm having many more designated parking zones. The majority of users in both cities reported using shared e-scooters less frequently after the introduction of the parking policy. The density of parking zones was the most consistent factor across all models, influencing user attitudes and decline in ridership in both Stockholm and Malmö. Other factors influencing attitudes and declines in ridership include the ability to park close to destinations, perceived longer walking distances, multimodal trips, and ease of finding parking. Notably, users in Stockholm who combined shared e-scooters with public transportation were more negative towards the parking policy, possibly due to insufficient parking facilities near transit stops. To increase user acceptance and encourage multi-modal use, planners should ensure availability not only near public transport but also near the trip’s final destination, emphasizing the need for high overall parking density.