On the Relocation Behavior of Ride-sourcing Drivers

Journal Article (2023)
Authors

P. Ashkrof (Transport and Planning)

Goncalo Correia (Transport and Planning)

O Cats (Transport and Planning)

B. van van Arem (Transport and Planning)

Affiliation
Transport and Planning
Copyright
© 2023 P. Ashkrof, Gonçalo Correia , O. Cats, B. van Arem
To reference this document use:
https://doi.org/10.1080/19427867.2023.2192581
More Info
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Publication Year
2023
Language
English
Copyright
© 2023 P. Ashkrof, Gonçalo Correia , O. Cats, B. van Arem
Affiliation
Transport and Planning
Issue number
4
Volume number
16
Pages (from-to)
330-337
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1080/19427867.2023.2192581
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Abstract

Ride-sourcing drivers, as individual service suppliers, can freely adopt their own relocation strategies, including waiting, cruising freely, or following the platform recommendations. These decisions substantially impact the balance between supply and demand, and consequently affect system performance. We conducted a stated choice experiment to study the searching behaviour of ride-sourcing drivers and examine novel policies. A unique dataset of 576 ride-sourcing drivers working in the US was collected and a choice modelling approach was used to estimate the effects of multiple existing and hypothetical attributes. The results suggest that ride-sourcing drivers’ relocation strategies vary considerably between different drivers groups. Surge pricing significantly stimulates drivers to head toward the designated areas. However, the distance between the driver’s location and surge or high-demand areas demotivates them from following the platform repositioning recommendations. We discuss the implications of our findings for various platform policies on real-time information sharing and platform repositioning guidance.