carpooling

Carpooling is the shared use of a passenger vehicle by multiple travelers for a common trip, most commonly during the workday commute. Participants typically split driving duties and operating costs, reducing per-person expenses and overall vehicle miles traveled. Carpooling can occur informally, among coworkers, neighbors, or friends, or be organized through online platforms and apps that pair drivers and riders based on routes, schedules, and preferences. It is distinct from vanpooling, where a single vehicle serves a fixed group of riders, and from paid ride-hailing services that dispatch drivers on demand.

Online platforms and traditional arrangements match riders and drivers, often allowing reservations, route adjustments, and rating systems. Participants may agree on meeting points, schedules, occupancy limits, and safety expectations. In workplaces and schools, employer-led carpools or commuter benefits programs may provide preferred parking, subsidized transit passes, or other incentives to encourage participation.

Carpooling can reduce fuel costs and emissions per rider, ease traffic congestion, and increase the efficiency of vehicle use. It also depends on reliable coordination and may raise concerns about privacy, schedule flexibility, and insurance coverage. Regulatory rules vary by region, with some areas allowing access to high-occupancy vehicle lanes or offering tax incentives or subsidies to participants.

A broad policy and planning context has supported carpooling as part of transportation demand management. The practice gained momentum in the United States during the mid-20th century and saw renewed growth during oil crises in the 1970s; more recently, smartphone apps have broadened access, though participation remains shaped by local regulations, workplace culture, and transportation alternatives.