Reflections on the value of trials: Insights from the shared e-scooter trial evaluation in New South Wales, Australia

Source abstract

: Trials or pilot programmes are commonly adopted by governments to assess the feasibility of mobility interventions before committing to broader deployment. Although it is generally assumed that such trials contribute valuable insights and play an important role in advancing evidence-based policy, research evaluating the effectiveness of mobility trials remains scarce. This paper seeks to address this gap by critically assessing a shared e-scooter trial in the state of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Using an evaluation framework adapted from the European Union’s CIVITAS initiative to promote sustainable mobility, an evaluation of shared e-scooter trials between 2022 and 2024 was conducted across three sites. The paper addresses a key research question: What is the value of conducting trials and evaluating them, and in what ways do the outcome of these evaluation processes contribute to evidence-informed policymaking? The paper first discusses the value of temporary interventions more generally in transport. Next, examples of existing shared micromobility trials conducted around the world and at various scales are reviewed, recording trial outcomes and the degree to which they informed subsequent policy decisions. The paper then describes the development and outcomes of the evaluation framework for the case-study trials in NSW, before considering key reflections and findings. Results highlight the importance of both well-planned trials and their on-going robust evaluation. In the NSW case-study context, the trial has provided critical guidance on whether to proceed beyond trials and identifies key considerations for future service development. The findings of this research provide vital reference for other jurisdictions considering shared micromobility trials and seeking guidance on how to translate trial outcomes into informed policy decisions.