Mapping Informal Mobility: A Comparative Study of GPS Tracking of Motorcycle Taxis to Better Understand Users’ Behaviors Between University Campuses in Vietnam

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38027/jsalutogenic_vol4no1_11

Keywords:

Motorcycle Taxi, Spatial Analysis, GPS Tracking Tools, Space Syntax

Abstract

Rapid urbanization in Southeast Asia has intensified pressures on urban transportation systems, with motorcycle taxis emerging as crucial informal transport services in cities especially. This study examines the spatial behavior of informal motorcycle taxi services in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, focusing on the UEH University campus. Using 201 recorded GPS trips, space syntax analysis, and user surveys, the research explores how spatial configuration influences movement across trip types - short (≤2 km), medium (2–5 km), and long (≥5 km). Metrics such as Global Choice, Choice_R2, Choice_R3, Integration_HH, and Connectivity were computed. Findings show that short trips concentrate on highly connected local grids (e.g., campuses, hospitals), medium trips align with neighborhood connectors (e.g., schools, offices), and long trips follow arterial routes toward commercial centers or transport hubs. Nighttime and off-peak trips displayed higher average speeds than daytime trips, especially for longer distances. User behavior insights highlight convenience, flexibility, and traffic avoidance as key motivators. The study reveals a gap between planned urban structure and lived mobility, positioning informal transport as essential for first-last mile access. By combining spatial metrics and behavioral data, the research offers a framework for incorporating informal modes into urban mobility planning to improve accessibility and reduce congestion.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Truong, L. T., & Nguyen, H. T. T. (2019). Mobile phone–related crashes among motorcycle taxi drivers. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 132, 105288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2019.105288 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2019.105288

Vu, A. T., & Mateo-Babiano, I. B. (2017). Socio-economic impacts of motorcycle taxis in Vietnam and policy considerations. Transport Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 5, 100145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2020.100145 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2020.100145

Nguyen-Phuoc, D. Q., Nguyen, H. A., De Gruyter, C., Su, D. N., & Nguyen, V. H. (2019). Exploring the prevalence and factors associated with self-reported traffic crashes among app-based motorcycle taxis in Vietnam. Journal of Transport & Health, 13, 100394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2019.03.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2019.06.006

World Bank. (2018). Vietnam urbanization review: Urban transport challenges in Vietnam’s cities. World Bank Publications.

Oshima, R., Fukuda, A., & Fukuda, T. (2007). Study on regulation of motorcycle taxi service in Bangkok. Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, 6, 1493–1502.

Ratanawaraha, A., & Chalermpong, S. (2015). Monopoly rents in motorcycle taxi services in Bangkok, Thailand. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2537(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.3141/2537-01 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3141/2512-08

Blumenstock, J., Eagle, N., & Fafchamps, M. (2018). Mobile phone-based data analysis for transportation planning: Insights from Kenya. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 7(8), 309. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi7080309 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi7080309

Jaligot, R., Kemajou, A., & Chenal, J. (2017). A new approach to spatial analysis of motorcycle taxi activities: The case of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Urban Transport Research Journal. [DOI chưa có] DOI: https://doi.org/10.15224/978-1-63248-136-8-27

Jones, P., Pimlott, D., & Smith, R. (2017). GPS-enabled transport studies: Applications and challenges. Journal of Transport Geography, 61, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2017.03.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2017.03.009

Kaplan, E., & Hegarty, C. (2005). Understanding GPS: Principles and applications (2nd ed.). Artech House Publishers.

Wesolowski, A., Eagle, N., & Smith, D. L. (2018). Mobility and disease modeling in sub-Saharan Africa: GPS-based research. Nature Communications, 9, 2830. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-05201-5

Kemajou, A., Chenal, J., & Jaligot, R. (2020). Assessing motorcycle taxi activity in Cameroon using GPS devices. Journal of Transport Geography, 82, 102556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2019.102556 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2019.102472

Komninos, N. (2014). The age of intelligent cities: Smart environments and innovation-for-all strategies. Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315769349

Hollands, R. G. (2008). Will the real smart city please stand up? Intelligent, progressive, or entrepreneurial? City, 12(3), 303–320. https://doi.org/10.1080/13604810802479126 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13604810802479126

Zanella, A., Bui, N., Castellani, A., Vangelista, L., & Zorzi, M. (2014). Internet of Things for smart cities. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 1(1), 22–32. https://doi.org/10.1109/JIOT.2014.2306328 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/JIOT.2014.2306328

Bifulco, F., Tregua, M., Amitrano, C. C., & D'Auria, A. (2016). ICT and sustainability in smart cities management. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 29(2), 132–147. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPSM-07-2015-0132 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPSM-07-2015-0132

Ferro, E., Caroleo, B., Leo, M., Osella, M., & Pautasso, E. (2013, May). The role of ICT in smart cities governance. In Proceedings of the 13th International Conference for E-Democracy and Open Government (pp. 133–145). Donau-Universität Krems.

Cardullo, P., & Kitchin, R. (2019). Smart urbanism and smart citizenship: The neoliberal logic of ‘citizen-focused’ smart cities in Europe. Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space, 37(5), 813–830. https://doi.org/10.1177/2399654418788566 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0263774X18806508

Vanolo, A. (2014). Smartmentality: The smart city as disciplinary strategy. Urban Studies, 51(5), 883–898. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042098013494427 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0042098013494427

Hillier, B., & Hanson, J. (1984). The social logic of space. Cambridge University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511597237

Downloads

Published

2025-08-13

How to Cite

Le, A. (2025). Mapping Informal Mobility: A Comparative Study of GPS Tracking of Motorcycle Taxis to Better Understand Users’ Behaviors Between University Campuses in Vietnam. Journal of Salutogenic Architecture, 4(1), 185–200. https://doi.org/10.38027/jsalutogenic_vol4no1_11

Share

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 3 4 5 > >> 

Similar Articles

1-10 of 22

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.