In the design of free-floating bike-sharing systems (FFBSS), understanding potential usage patterns is essential for capturing dynamic fluctuations in shared bicycle demand. This study investigates the effects of campus characteristics and FFBSS design variables on the accessibility and usage rate of shared bicycles. A multi-method approach was employed to evaluate accessibility and utilization within a university campus, with undergraduate students identified as the primary user group. An online survey was conducted to examine students’ travel preferences and typical destinations within the campus. Discrete-event simulation models were then developed to estimate system accessibility and usage rates under varying levels of key design parameters. Regression analysis and t-tests were subsequently applied to assess the statistical significance and magnitude of the effects of campus and system design factors. Results indicate that population density (PD) negatively influences accessibility while positively affecting usage rates. The availability of parking spots (PS) near demand points significantly enhances both accessibility and usage rate. Fleet size (FS) exhibits a strong nonlinear (parabolic) relationship with accessibility, wherein increases in fleet size improve accessibility but lead to diminishing usage rates. Rebalancing activities (RA) provide only marginal improvements in both accessibility and usage. The regression models developed in this study demonstrate strong statistical significance and offer valuable insights into the interactions between campus characteristics and FFBSS design variables. These findings provide practical guidance for bike-sharing operators and campus planners in determining appropriate system configurations tailored to specific campus environments.

Keywords

FFBSS, shared bike usage rate, shared bike accessibility, multi-method study, campus bike-sharing