Management and operation of the supply side in on-demand mobility platforms

Abstract

This thesis explores the supply-side dynamics of Mobility-on-Demand (MoD) systems, aiming to optimize resource allocation, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and supplier behavior across services like ride-hailing, on-demand meal delivery, and logistics. MoD leverages underutilized resources from independent providers, fitting the sharing economy model where freelancers use personal assets to meet demand. Chapter 2 analyzes Didi Chuxing’s drivers, identifying three groups: part-time flexible, part-time evening, and full-time, enhancing understanding of driver behaviors and informing platform management. Chapter 3 introduces a spatial control strategy for managing idle suppliers in centralized MoD systems, balancing long-term efficiency with real-time responsiveness through optimization techniques to improve platform performance and user experience. Chapter 4 addresses on-demand delivery by implementing spatial divisions of labor, partitioning the network into regions with parcel lockers, assigning couriers to areas, and developing optimization methods for dispatching and routing to enhance delivery management and customer satisfaction. Chapter 5 presents a menu assortment optimization method for suppliers' order acceptance behavior, allowing suppliers to select from tailored dispatch orders that respect their autonomy and preferences while optimizing matches, reducing friction, and promoting income equity. Chapter 6 examines competitive dynamics in a duopoly ride-hailing market with multihoming drivers and passengers, modeling competition as a two-player repeated game under varying information conditions and emphasizing adaptive, real-time strategies in matching, fare setting, and wage determination to secure competitive advantage. Overall, this thesis advances MoD research by providing comprehensive analyses and innovative optimization approaches, offering insights for effective management and enhancement of MoD systems.