Exploring Shared Mobility Public-Private Partnerships

Project summary:

The objective of this project is for MnDOT's Office of Transit and Active Transportation, through its Greater Minnesota Shared Mobility Program, to collaborate with the University of Minnesota?s Resilient Communities Project (RCP) to research best practices and public-private partnership (P3) business models in shared mobility around Minnesota and the United States, and compile this information into a guide for Greater Minnesota and metro public transit agencies, cities, and their staff.

The University, through its RCP program, will recruit faculty and students to research best practices and P3 business models in shared mobility, including exploring the following questions, issues, and ideas:

1. What are some of the public sector best practices that have developed to date for working with a private shared mobility provider (i.e. partnership models, performance requirements, request for proposals [RFP] processes, data sharing, etc.)?

2. What are the predominant business models for shared mobility companies and what do they generally wish to see in public sector partnerships to meet their goals?

3. What are the important issues that need to be considered in the range of relationships between the public sector and private shared mobility providers, ranging from solely permitting and regulating to fully developed P3s with public funding?

4. How do communities negotiate to get desired public policy outcomes, like equity and safety?

5. How does this process differ across different types of communities, like rural, small urban, metro suburban, and large cities?

RCP will consolidate student findings and recommendations into a written guide for Greater Minnesota and metro public transit agencies, cities, and their staff.