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Transportation-Enabled Services: Concept, Framework, and Research Opportunities

Author

Listed:
  • Niels Agatz

    (Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, 3062 PA Rotterdam, Netherlands)

  • Soo-Haeng Cho

    (Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213)

  • Hao Sun

    (College of Management, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province 518060, China)

  • Hai Wang

    (School of Computing and Information Systems, Singapore Management University, Singapore 178902)

Abstract

As a result of rapid advancements in urban infrastructure and technology, transportation is transforming a variety of innovative and emerging services. This paper introduces the concept of transportation-enabled services (TRENS), which is a service model that uses transportation systems to enable and enhance the delivery, accessibility, and effectiveness of nontransportation services. We establish a general framework in which the transportation-enabled services involve four key stakeholders: customers, suppliers, TRENS providers, and transportation carriers. Within this general framework, we present five specific service models: a one-sided market, three variants of two-sided markets, and a three-sided market, each characterized by the interactions among suppliers, TRENS providers, and transportation carriers. Taking different models of transportation-enabled services into consideration, we highlight crucial research opportunities to enhance understanding of the planning, operations, evaluation, and regulation of transportation-enabled services. These research opportunities include demand and supply management, transportation system management and operations, coordination among stakeholders, and the evaluation and regulation of transportation-enabled services. We believe that the emergence, widespread adoption, and popularity of transportation-enabled services will significantly enhance and reshape many services and thus contribute to the overall improvement of future mobility in the broader context of smart cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Niels Agatz & Soo-Haeng Cho & Hao Sun & Hai Wang, 2024. "Transportation-Enabled Services: Concept, Framework, and Research Opportunities," Service Science, INFORMS, vol. 16(1), pages 1-21, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orserv:v:16:y:2024:i:1:p:1-21
    DOI: 10.1287/serv.2024.0116
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