TAXI. Study for the creation of an observatory of the taxi


Client: Institut Metropolità del Taxi (IMT)
Dates: 2009-2010


In 2004, the IMET commissioned CENIT (Center for Innovation in Transport) study on taxi fares. For the first time, data were collected and became a taximeters study of supply, demand and the overall situation of the taxi in the metropolitan area of Barcelona. We obtained very interesting results from the information collected. However, we saw the need to expand and give continuity to this study to create an observatory of the taxi to give greater value to the work.

The productivity of the taxi in Barcelona is 55% of travel service, according to data from the 2004. If this factor is increased, it could make the same trip with a lower cost. So, down two goals on which to act. Firstly an increase in demand through diversification rates, new services, etc. Moreover, an improvement in the productivity of each taxi to increase the employment factor would be a very significant savings in costs that has a cab. This is achieved by better allocation strategies, more efficient routing and customer acquisition, increased availability of information, etc.

CENIT provided the following services:

– Performing a quantitative analysis of demand and supply of taxi in Barcelona from periodic surveys undertaken by government (EMQ’06, EMEF’06), interviews with the taxi industry and other data and mobility in Barcelona adjacent municipalities.

– Developing a quantitative analysis of demand and supply based on data provided by 25 taxis that currently allow tracking through GPS and the meter.

– Developing a set of proposals and measures to increase demand and improve productivity of the taxi.

– Research on methods of predicting demand and real-time detection systems.

– Planning and proposal of a project that focuses on implementing a system of demand forecasting in real time in the metropolitan area.

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