A RFID Idea for Taxicabs
We have two components left to discuss for the business plan, but before that I would like to present the idea received from one my readers. In his own words...
"You should market your RFID to taxi cab companies as well. If you could provide a software solution that would allow dispatchers to "queue" future pick-ups, see in real-time where the cabs are, and utilize some method of maximizing efficiency (say, the best route for cab A would be this way, picking up X passengers, etc), I think even more money could be made. Plus it could allow taxi companies to discover underutilized areas in a particular city, thus maximizing their revenue. A possible pitfall could be an event where someone hails a taxi; how do we update the most efficient path then? Do the future pickups which have already been queued for driver A shuffle to driver B, who is now closer and would maximize revenue? And what about human error; could driver B react that quickly to the new order?"
This idea has lots of potential. There are some issues to resolve. Let us examine them one at a time:
How do we update the most efficient path when someone hails a taxi? This can be resolved by installing a Garmin GPS device or something similar. Although I am not sure, how many days that device will last in a city like New York!
Do the future pickups, which have already been queued for driver A shuffle to driver B, who is now closer and would maximize revenue? And what about human error; could driver B react that quickly to the new order? Real world scenarios will include factors like traffic jams, accidents, adverse weather conditions, driver lethargy and human errors. These cannot be avoided. Only an effort can be made to minimize the effects of these factors. There is a certain limit to automation and control, rest is dependant on human and natural factors.
I plan to group these ideas and make them available at one place for everyone to access. Another reader asked me, if I plan to start a real business based on RFID solutions? My reply is "Yes. Maybe sometime in the future. Let me put it this way..I am practising for the future by writing this blog!"
"You should market your RFID to taxi cab companies as well. If you could provide a software solution that would allow dispatchers to "queue" future pick-ups, see in real-time where the cabs are, and utilize some method of maximizing efficiency (say, the best route for cab A would be this way, picking up X passengers, etc), I think even more money could be made. Plus it could allow taxi companies to discover underutilized areas in a particular city, thus maximizing their revenue. A possible pitfall could be an event where someone hails a taxi; how do we update the most efficient path then? Do the future pickups which have already been queued for driver A shuffle to driver B, who is now closer and would maximize revenue? And what about human error; could driver B react that quickly to the new order?"
This idea has lots of potential. There are some issues to resolve. Let us examine them one at a time:
How do we update the most efficient path when someone hails a taxi? This can be resolved by installing a Garmin GPS device or something similar. Although I am not sure, how many days that device will last in a city like New York!
Do the future pickups, which have already been queued for driver A shuffle to driver B, who is now closer and would maximize revenue? And what about human error; could driver B react that quickly to the new order? Real world scenarios will include factors like traffic jams, accidents, adverse weather conditions, driver lethargy and human errors. These cannot be avoided. Only an effort can be made to minimize the effects of these factors. There is a certain limit to automation and control, rest is dependant on human and natural factors.
I plan to group these ideas and make them available at one place for everyone to access. Another reader asked me, if I plan to start a real business based on RFID solutions? My reply is "Yes. Maybe sometime in the future. Let me put it this way..I am practising for the future by writing this blog!"
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