Fleet optimization in shared mobility services: Theoretical findings and future steps

The rise of innovative mobility services provides new alternatives to existing transport modes complying to the vision of sustainable urban mobility. However, this rise implies a series of challenges for the transport sector associated with the need for adapting the yearlong planning processes to the specific needs of these services. The current paper provides a brief overview of relevant strategic planning frameworks and considerations discussed so far in the scientific community, focusing on the assessment of the optimal fleet size of shared mobility services. On that basis, it presents the conceptual framework and the computational flow of a tool oriented to support such a strategic planning purpose, as well as some initial results of this tool. The outcomes of the suggested tool meet rationality criteria and the initial expectations of policy makers.