An analysis of network model of urban taxi services

摘要

This paper investigates the operating mechanism of taxi transportation system in a road network. Based on the discussion of taxi services, we briefly introduce the stationary network model of taxi services. After the analysis of that model, several limitations of the model are discussed. We argue that, the stationary model doesn't describe taxi movements in a proper way, and underestimate the traffic volume due to taxis. Some future research remarks are therefore given, which suggests that a dynamic model of taxi services is needed.