Carsharing is a new form of transport and social, technical and economic organization -- and a quite demanding one at that. Given this, it is not surprising that many projects in the past -- and surely a fair number in the future as well -- have run into their fair share of problems. Some of these have been caught early and dealt with by those concerned so that their project survives and prospers. But other projects have for one reason or another run into trouble and fallen off the screen.

One critical point in all this which much be kept in view: and that is that often in life and in the lab the difference between success and failure can be very small indeed. And moreover, many discoveries and successes are accomplished by exactly those who have taken the time to learn from this past experience.

We propose to see what we can find out about some of these projects which for one reason or another did not make it the first time, and report to you on this here. This should be a very helpful exercise for anyone who wants her/his project to succeed. Anyone who ignores the lessons of history  .   .  .