Urban micromobility and social equity: An investigation through the lens of shared E-scooter rebalancing

As shared micromobility services expand across urban areas, ensuring their equitable provision and access is critical. This study evaluates the equity of shared e-scooter systems through the theoretical lens of transportation equity, including distributive, and availability-based dimensions. Using Mobility Data Specification (MDS) data from Louisville, Kentucky, we present a two-part analytical framework to evaluate the equity aspects of dockless e-scooter systems. The initial model applies survival analysis to examine availability-based equity by determining how long e-scooters remain on the streets across various socio-economic neighborhoods before being rebalanced by operators. The second model addresses distributive equity by comparing demographic features of pick-up and drop-off points at the level of rebalancing. This study found greater scooter availability in low-income, low car-owning neighborhoods, potentially supporting equitable micromobility access, while racial minority-dominant neighborhoods undergo more rapid rebalancing, potentially reducing their time window for use. Rebalancing activities also displayed trends of redistributing scooters away from minority-concentrated regions. There is additional context associated with these findings and spatial characteristics of the region, but they do highlight potential disparities. These findings emphasize the necessity of implementing equity frameworks within micromobility operations and present a replicable method for cities and operators to monitor and optimize fairness in shared transportation networks.