The technological availability of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning, especially GPS-NAVSTAR (Global Positioning System – NAVigation Signal Timing And Ranging), the widespread use of tools and algorithms in the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the need to meet the expectations of the information society are driving significant development in the IT support for taxi corporations.
Addressing this topic in the article is related to the noticeable progress in this segment of individual urban transport as well. Along with the computerization of taxi corporations, the aggregation of taxi companies in formal terms (merging corporations), and management platforms (shared call handling, use of compatible passenger service systems) allows for the translation of taxi vehicle positioning into the analysis of traffic flows and transport networks in cities.
In urban areas, one can distinguish between public and individual transport. The specificity of taxi transport lies in the ambiguity of its classification into one of these groups. Due to general traffic regulations and the way road lanes are used, taxis can be treated as individual transport; however, there are situations where public transport lanes (so-called bus lanes) are made available, at least in part of the city, for taxis (Łódź, Warsaw: bus + taxi lanes). In principle, however, this is an additional asset that increases the possibility of using taxi traffic analysis in research and optimization of the city’s transport network.
Problem analysis
In studies related to transport modeling in cities, the analysis of public transport in urban areas has particular socio-economic significance. Additionally, average travel speed is indicated as the primary and most important parameter influencing travel modeling. This parameter indeed has a decisive meaning in the context of planning and assessing capacity, as well as modeling traffic flows for area-based solutions. Fundamentally, however, the goal of modeling and travel analysis is the final positive verification of the travel process by an individual user of the transport system.
When evaluating travel by users of urban space using available means of transport, there are two main parameters used to assess the quality of the transport system: price and travel time. Every mass user (understood as an individual seeking dedicated solutions, here as a passenger using the general urban space in the context of individual travel planning) independently defines the limit values for maximum price and the longest acceptable travel time. Another evaluating element is the effort put into completing the journey, although this parameter is the least susceptible to mathematical verification. In total, these three parameters have a direct impact on the mass user and generally occur simultaneously.
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Source: Logistyka Magazine