An Incentive Based Dynamic Ride-Sharing System for Smart Cities

Abu Saleh Md Bakibillah,Yi Feng Paw,Susilawati Susilawati,Md Abdus Samad Kamal,Chee Pin Tan

doi:10.3390/smartcities4020028

Abu Saleh Md Bakibillah, Yi Feng Paw + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities4020028

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Abstract

Connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technology, along with advanced traffic control systems, cannot ensure congestion-free traffic when the number of vehicles exceeds the road capacity. To address this problem, in this paper, we propose a dynamic ride-sharing system based on incentives (for both passengers and drivers) that incorporates travelers of similar routes and time schedules on short notice. The objective is to reduce the number of private vehicles on urban roads by utilizing the available seats properly. We develop a mobile-cloud architecture-based system that enables real-time ride-sharing. The effectiveness of the proposed system is evaluated through microscopic traffic simulation using Simulation of Urban Mobility (SUMO) considering the traffic flow behavior of a real smart city. Moreover, we develop a lab-scale experimental prototype in the form of Internet of Things (IoT) network. The simulation results show that the proposed system reduces fuel consumption, CO2 and CO emissions, and average waiting time of vehicles significantly, while increasing the vehicle’s average speed. Remarkably, it is found that only 2–10% ride-sharing can improve the overall traffic performance.

Highlights

In the last couple of decades, private cars have become a dominant form of transportation for the people who live in urban areas
We have developed an incentive based dynamic ridesharing transportation system for a smart city that utilizes empty seats in privately owned vehicles
The proposed system offers a solution to the serious problem of traffic congestion by reducing the number of private cars on road networks

Summary

Introduction

In the last couple of decades, private cars have become a dominant form of transportation for the people who live in urban areas. The increasing number of private cars causes serious traffic congestion, extra energy consumption, and emissions. The traffic congestion is further escalated when private cars are used with only with a single rider. The urban areas are highly susceptible to traffic congestion during peak hours. The annual cost of traffic congestion in 471 urban areas in the U.S in terms of extra travel time and fuel are estimated to be approximately 160 billion USD in 2015 [3]. Even in Asia, traffic congestion and GHG emissions have become a severe problem. Aside from traffic congestion and emissions, the surplus vehicles cause other problems, such as the necessity for infrastructure maintenance and the requirement of parking spaces. Reducing traffic congestion and GHG emissions has become a critical concern for both transport researchers and policymakers

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