# SCC-CIVIC-FA Track B: Data-Driven Analytics for Scaling Up Community Carshare: Bringing Affordable, Reliable, and Clean Carshare to More People

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (MI) · $700,000

## Abstract

The objective of this Civic Innovation Challenge (CIVIC) project is to support research on prototyping, deploying, and testing data-driven analytics to improve efficiency, availability, and affordability of carshare services. The Cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota launched the EV Spot Network in collaboration with HOURCAR, the largest nonprofit carshare provider in the US. The EV Spot Network provides publicly owned electric vehicle carshare and chargers. The service is projected to grow significantly over the next three years. This scale-up poses challenges that have not been adequately addressed in academic literature or practice. The research-centered pilot deploys data-driven analytics, developed by the research team, that look to support HOURCAR in making decisions as it seeks (a) densification of its service, (b) expansion of its service region, and (c) extending the reach of public transit. Specifically, partnering with HOURCAR and its stakeholders, the research team aims for real-world deployment of (1) a demand estimation engine, (2) a network design engine, (3) a pricing and incentive design engine, and (4) an operations planning engine. 

The research project looks to contribute fundamental knowledge for how community-based carshare can be scaled up. It will prototype, deploy, and test a suite of data driven decision support tools. It will also evaluate the effectiveness of various behavioral modification interventions and incentives that can promote

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2526627
- **Awardee organization:** Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (MI)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** GNJ7BBP73WE9
- **PI:** Saif Benjaafar
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** S&CC: Smart and Connected Communities, Artificial Intelligence (AI), CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURE, CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURE
- **Estimated total:** $700,000
- **Funds obligated:** $700,000
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2026

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2526627

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2526627, SCC-CIVIC-FA Track B: Data-Driven Analytics for Scaling Up Community Carshare: Bringing Affordable, Reliable, and Clean Carshare to More People. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2526627. Licensed CC0.

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