Curb space management in urban mobility system

Abstract

Curb space management and traffic flow are two important elements of the transportation system that interact with each other and affect the overall system performance. Moreover, the growth of new mobility operators and goods delivery in urban result in a growing demand for pickup/drop off access to the curb sides. The curb space is now also a spot for pickup/drop off passengers and loading/unloading goods. Thus, the traditional use of curb space for parking only is challenged and it becomes important to manage the curb space effectively and determine the optimal capacity decisions for different uses. Our study investigates the allocation of curb space for various uses so that the overall transportation system performance can be enhanced. We simulate the transportation system and analyze the interactions between traffic flow and curb space usage. We propose optimal capacity allocation decisions that ensure a smooth traffic flow. We derive optimal curb space allocation policies that vary according to the customer demand during the day.