Alison Conway

Challenges in Managing Centralized Taxi Dispatching at High-Volume Airports: Case Study of John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York City

This paper provides an evaluation of taxi dispatching procedures at New York Citys John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Curbside data collection and interviews with airport stakeholders were conducted to describe and quantify conditions for taxi drivers and passengers at JFK. A literature review was performed to identify operational similarities and differences between JFK and other high-volume airports with centralized taxi dispatching and to identify potential solutions for application at JFK. The outcomes of this study include (a) characterization of relationships between airportwide and terminal-level passenger demands and available taxi supply at JFK, (b) identification of sources of inefficiency in existing taxi dispatching procedures and taxi operations, and (c) identification of approaches for addressing supply–demand imbalances and next steps in evaluating those approaches.

Characteristics of Multimodal Conflicts in Urban On-Street Bicycle Lanes

In urban areas, bicycles that travel in bicycle lanes encounter a variety of obstructions, including pedestrians and various types of motor vehicles. Earlier studies focused on the frequency of such events. The goal of this study was to characterize the obstructions. Data were collected in the Manhattan and Brooklyn boroughs of New York City to evaluate specific characteristics (e.g., bicycle lane designs, curb regulations, land use) that might influence the frequency of specific conflict types. A method is described for evaluating the frequency of conflicts between bicycles that travel in on-street bicycle lanes and various other transportation modes and for identifying factors that might affect the frequency of such conflicts.

Empirical Analysis of Delivery Vehicle On-Street Parking Pattern in Manhattan Area

AbstractParking in big cities is never easy. Policy-makers and transportation planners have developed many strategies to accommodate increasing parking demand. However, most of them focus on passenger vehicles, and analysis of delivery vehicle parking is still limited. This study uses recent disaggregate data of freight delivery patterns collected in the Manhattan area, which is rarely available in freight studies, to explore the factors influencing delivery vehicle on-street parking characteristics and drivers’ behavior. A duration model is used to analyze delivery vehicle on-street parking duration, and a count data model is used to analyze the parking frequency of delivery tours. With the outputs of these models, the effectiveness of different traffic-management and parking-management strategies are assessed. The results show that policies encouraging smaller delivery vehicle, higher loading efficiency, and shorter parking duration will reduce congestion and economic losses. The results also demonstrat...

Using Advanced Technologies to Manage Airport Taxicab Operations

Airports play a strategic role in economic development of cities and provide connectivity between business and commercial centers. Taxicab operations play a crucial role in determining the overall efficiency of an airports ground transportation system. However, airport-specific regulations pose challenges for managing taxicab operations effectively. The adoption of emerging technologies for managing taxicabs at airports offers faster, more efficient, and more cost-effective solutions to meet airport regulatory and operational requirements. In this case study, the operation of a central computerized taxicab dispatch system employed at John. F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York City is evaluated to identify observed limitations and associated avenues for improvement. Based on a review of state-of-practice taxicab dispatch systems deployed in airports worldwide, this research illustrates how modern technologies and procedural changes can be applied to optimize the taxicab operations at JFK and similar airports.

Pedicabs for Urban Transportation in U.S. Cities

Pedicabs are a unique mode providing nonmotorized passenger transportation for short trips in urban areas. Although previously used in the United States primarily for recreational tourism, pedicabs can also serve daily and commuter trips. This paper explores the future role for pedicabs as a mode of urban transportation. Potential benefits of pedicab use in urban areas are identified, as well as challenges that may inhibit operations. Through a review of regulations concerning vehicles, drivers, and operations in New York City and seven other urban areas in the United States, a complicated regulatory environment that reflects an ambiguous understanding of pedicabs and their operations is discussed. Finally, based on findings related to the benefits, challenges, and regulations, the next steps for better understanding the potential for pedicabs as an urban transit mode are presented.

Parking Conditions for Residential Delivery in New York City: A Case Study Analysis

This study employed basic demand estimation, field observation, text analysis, and spatial analysis methods to examine the adequacy of the existing supply of commercial dedicated parking space in high-density areas of New York City to accommodate expected demand for direct-to-home deliveries. The study also examined the proximity of available commercial dedicated parking space to end delivery locations. The study estimated and mapped two performance metrics: (1) the share of on-street commercial dedicated parking demanded for expected U.S. Postal Service residential freight deliveries, and (2) the share of these package deliveries expected to occur within a reasonable walking distance of a commercial dedicated parking space. The study relies on a variety of open data sources and on limited field observations; owing to data limitations, and resulting assumptions for baseline analysis, sensitivity analysis was also conducted. Results suggest that there is currently both a spatial and temporal mismatch between the commercial dedicated parking supply and expected residential delivery demand, and that shifts toward express deliveries may exacerbate this mismatch. Future research needs are also discussed.