The cost of 'deadheading'–the time ride-hailing drivers spend looking for fares–offsets any environmental benefits created by the industry, despite early claims that the apps would reduce congestion and air pollution.

Despite early promises to reduce personal car trips and ease urban congestion, data shows that ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft have done the opposite. "Now a new study puts a price on the external costs that come with switching from a personal vehicle to one from a transportation network company (or TNC): about 35 cents per trip on average. And it finds that even a fully electrified fleet of ride-hailing cars may not fully mitigate the extra toll they exact on society compared to driving yourself," writes Laura Bliss.
The authors of the study "simulated replacing 100,000 private passenger vehicle trips with TNC trips in six U.S. cities, using publicly available ride-hailing data from New York City, Austin, Chicago and the state of California." The simulation showed that, while TNCs "brought a 50% to 60% decrease in local air pollution costs" by keeping cars in use more of the time and hence reducing the pollution caused when fuel-combustion engines start cold, "that benefit was undone by the negative impacts of deadheading, or the time in between trips when drivers are traveling passenger-free to their next pickup." According to a 2019 report from the ridesharing companies themselves, "deadheading accounted for roughly 40% of all TNC miles across six U.S. cities." This added traffic "increased fuel consumption and its associated greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 20%, and drove up social costs linked to congestion, crashes and noise by 60%."
When analyzed against public transportation, "[t]he costs to society tripled," Bliss writes. "More surprising is that when Michalek and his collaborators simulated a fleet of 100% zero-emission TNC vehicles — charged by a zero-carbon grid — the external costs of ride-hailing only dropped by 16% to 17%." This means that "even a fully electrified ride-hailing industry — the likes of which Uber and Lyft have both promised by 2030 — would not be enough to make up for the congestion and deaths created by the added TNC miles." This is only mitigated when rides are pooled, though pooled rides are still more harmful than taking public transit.
One way cities can discourage single TNC rides is by pricing them accordingly, encouraging riders to pool rides while maintaining the positive effects of ridesharing apps, such as "providing late-night transportation services and reducing drunk driving."
FULL STORY: That Uber or Lyft Trip May Be Worse for the Planet Than Driving Yourself

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ascent Environmental
Borough of Carlisle
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service