DOI: 10.14457/tu.the.2019.1166
title: An investigation into how to create a sustainable and profitable business model for smart mobility ride-sharing at Thammasat University

description: The increasing number of people who commute as solo occupants in private vehicles is causing increased levels of traffic congestion and reducing existing transportation efficiency. Traffic congestion on roads not only increases travel time and vehicle fuel consumption but also increases levels of air pollution, including that created by carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, particulate emissions and other types of pollution from new-generation vehicles. Creating more sustainable means of personal transportation may provide significant social, economic and environmental benefits by reducing the number of vehicles on the road at any one time and improving the utilisation of available seat capacity in vehicles. With regards to alternative ways to travel, more sustainable means of personal transportation can help solve and break down the barriers between private vehicle usage and public transportation, with the use of the sharing model is one of the best ways to improve the quality of personal transportation. The ride-sharing model aims to connect drivers and passengers with similar itinerary, and enables flexible timing, and is a way that can lead to lower vehicle emissions and lower traffic congestion. This is because when more people share rides, there are fewer vehicles on the road, which leads to reduced levels of emissions. This research aims to investigate the main factors required for developing a successful business model for a ride-sharing service for universities in Thailand. The primary target audience of the pilot study that has been undertaken is comprising of Thammasat students, staff and faculty members who commute to and from Thammasat University Rangsit Campus. The study additionally investigates their travel behaviour and factors that may encourage the more widespread adoption of a ride-sharing model, and how a sustainable and profitable ride-sharing business model can be created to serve the selected end-users focused on the shared use of the private vehicles to help reduce traffic congestion in the Thammasat area. Access to the proposed ride-sharing services for this initiative is provided through applications. This undertaking, in order to increase the market to others in different faculties within the campus, as related to the mobile application and marketing strategy. With regard to the expected outcome of this research, it is intended that this work will provide a better understanding of the current situation concerning travel to and from the selected area, and measures that can be taken to help customise the proposed ride-share concept to meet the needs of potential users best, and how resilience and rapid flexibility can be built into the model to make it more reactive to changing circumstances. It is intended that the blueprint that has been developed will enable the maximum benefits to be created for the potential users of a ride-share service at Thammasat University Rangsit Campus based on their changing behaviour needs and perceived opportunities to make transportation more sustainable.