Spatio-temporal efficiency in a taxi dispatch system

In this paper, we present an empirical analysis of the GPS-enabled taxi dispatch system used by the world’s second largest land transportation company. We first summarize the collective dynamics of the more than 6,000 taxicabs in this fleet. Next, we propose a simple method for evaluating the effici...

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Main Authors: SANTANI, Darshan, BALAN, Rajesh Krishna, WOODARD, C. Jason
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Language:English
Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2008
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Online Access:https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sis_research/7043
https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/sis_research/article/8046/viewcontent/Spatio_Temporal_Efficiency_in_a_Taxi_Dispatch_System.pdf
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spelling sg-smu-ink.sis_research-80462022-03-28T07:39:21Z Spatio-temporal efficiency in a taxi dispatch system SANTANI, Darshan BALAN, Rajesh Krishna WOODARD, C. Jason In this paper, we present an empirical analysis of the GPS-enabled taxi dispatch system used by the world’s second largest land transportation company. We first summarize the collective dynamics of the more than 6,000 taxicabs in this fleet. Next, we propose a simple method for evaluating the efficiency of the system over a given period of time and geographic zone. Our method yields valuable insights into system performance—in particular, revealing significant inefficiencies that should command the attention of the fleet operator. For example, despite the state of the art dispatching system employed by the company, we find imbalances in supply and demand during peak business hours, often resulting in unacceptably high waiting times for passengers. Surprisingly, we also find imbalances during off-peak hours in certain zones. Finally, we discuss how techniques from multi-agent systems research, such as distributed coordination and market-based resource allocation, may be effective in improving the performance of this important mode of public transportation. 2008-10-01T07:00:00Z text application/pdf https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sis_research/7043 https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/sis_research/article/8046/viewcontent/Spatio_Temporal_Efficiency_in_a_Taxi_Dispatch_System.pdf http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems eng Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University Databases and Information Systems Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computing
institution Singapore Management University
building SMU Libraries
continent Asia
country Singapore
Singapore
content_provider SMU Libraries
collection InK@SMU
language English
topic Databases and Information Systems
Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computing
spellingShingle Databases and Information Systems
Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computing
SANTANI, Darshan
BALAN, Rajesh Krishna
WOODARD, C. Jason
Spatio-temporal efficiency in a taxi dispatch system
description In this paper, we present an empirical analysis of the GPS-enabled taxi dispatch system used by the world’s second largest land transportation company. We first summarize the collective dynamics of the more than 6,000 taxicabs in this fleet. Next, we propose a simple method for evaluating the efficiency of the system over a given period of time and geographic zone. Our method yields valuable insights into system performance—in particular, revealing significant inefficiencies that should command the attention of the fleet operator. For example, despite the state of the art dispatching system employed by the company, we find imbalances in supply and demand during peak business hours, often resulting in unacceptably high waiting times for passengers. Surprisingly, we also find imbalances during off-peak hours in certain zones. Finally, we discuss how techniques from multi-agent systems research, such as distributed coordination and market-based resource allocation, may be effective in improving the performance of this important mode of public transportation.
format text
author SANTANI, Darshan
BALAN, Rajesh Krishna
WOODARD, C. Jason
author_facet SANTANI, Darshan
BALAN, Rajesh Krishna
WOODARD, C. Jason
author_sort SANTANI, Darshan
title Spatio-temporal efficiency in a taxi dispatch system
title_short Spatio-temporal efficiency in a taxi dispatch system
title_full Spatio-temporal efficiency in a taxi dispatch system
title_fullStr Spatio-temporal efficiency in a taxi dispatch system
title_full_unstemmed Spatio-temporal efficiency in a taxi dispatch system
title_sort spatio-temporal efficiency in a taxi dispatch system
publisher Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University
publishDate 2008
url https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sis_research/7043
https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/sis_research/article/8046/viewcontent/Spatio_Temporal_Efficiency_in_a_Taxi_Dispatch_System.pdf
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