1666826 - Evaluating Curb Management Strategies for Ride-Hailing and Ride-Sharing Activity through Simulation

As ride-sharing and ride-hailing services increasingly redefine how people move within urban areas, the curb environment (the public space between roadway and sidewalk) will have to be able to accommodate new uses and new users. Creating a flexible curb design is essential for such a space to be both permeable and efficient in dealing with evolving demand. This study seeks to understand how formalizing a space for curbside pick-up and drop-off activity typical of new transportation modes such as ride-hailing will impact traffic flow and curb use. A series of microscopic simulation models calibrated using data collected in Atlanta, GA, were devised, and performance metrics such as delay and occupancy rate were collected. By varying traffic flow conditions and changing the percentage of pick-up and drop-off (PUDO) parking events, a comprehensive analysis of different curb configurations was conducted, and results were compared with those from a traditional curb design.

            The data collection phase showed that PUDO activity differs significantly from traditional parking behaviors both in terms of dwell time and event location, and also allowed for a calibration of double-parking behavior. Throughout the simulations, a progressive shift away from traditional long-term parking towards PUDO activity led to an observed higher curb productivity and lower occupancy. The introduction of dedicated PUDO zones at the curb created significant reductions in delay. With high utilization, these zones have the potential to reduce double parking, increase curb utilization, and positively affect through traffic.