Transportation Network Companies: Drivers’ Perceptions of Ride-Sharing Regarding Climate Change and Extreme Weather

Abstract

The transportation sector is a major factor contributing to climate change. Transportation Network Companies (TNC) may become part of solutions to reduce emissions and their drivers play an important role in doing so. This study aims to understand TNC driver’s perceptions of climate change, to understand how climate change and extreme weather affects their business and how they see their role in contributing to or mitigating climate change. We conducted an in-person survey of TNC drivers in Nevada, USA, and analyzed the derived information with descriptive statistics and content analysis. Among the 75 TNC drivers, almost half believe climate change is happening and is caused by human activities. We found TNC drivers and their business are affected by extreme weather events. Currently the drivers do not see their role in mitigating climate change and lack the awareness of green initiatives already in place by TNCs’. We conclude that TNCs could increase their climate change responsibility by providing driver incentives for cars with reduced emissions or by geographically expanding customer incentives for using sustainable TNC options such as car-pooling. By doing so, TNC may play a role in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion; thus, contributing to improved sustainable transportation practices.

The intersection between climate change, COVID-19, and future pandemics – Perspectives among American transportation network drivers

“…We found a large proportion of TNC drivers could express how climate change ( Brugger and Watts, 2021 ) and COVID-19 impacts their business, but do not see the connection between climate change and pandemics. These findings are important as it implies that public health messaging is missing an opportunity to demonstrate how human health could be impacted by climate change ( Whitmee et al, 2015 ).…”

“…We conducted a post-hoc analysis from a survey with the original aim of exploring TNC driver's beliefs of, perceived impacts of, and views of their driving role in affecting climate change ( Brugger and Watts, 2021 ). The post-hoc analysis was conducted between October and December 2020 in Washoe County, Nevada (United States).…”

“…The University of Nevada, Reno Institutional Review Board gave exempt determination for the original study and the amended protocol for the post-hoc analysis. Detailed survey descriptions can be found in the original study ( Brugger and Watts, 2021 ). The investigators analyzed data simultaneous with the original study's data collection phase.…”

“…We analyzed open-ended COVID-19 and climate change statements using inductive content analysis. Trustworthiness of the open-ended data were evaluated using the four criteria in the Lincoln and Guba (1985) framework ( Brugger and Watts, 2021 ; Lincoln and Guba, 1985 ).…”

“…Prior research has explored the roles of TNC's impact towards climate change or COVID-19 independently ( Loa et al, 2021 ; Bartel et al, 2019 ; Brugger and Watts, 2021 ). To date there is no study that has explored views of these two crises together among the TNC essential workforce.…”