Evolutionary game based study on shared parking spaces

Objective This study analyzes the interest interaction and decision-making behavior among the government, enterprises, and parking space owners within the shared parking system. The objective is to contribute to the activation of existing parking space resources and provide a theoretical basis for promoting the development of shared parking mode. Method An evolutionary game model was constructed encompassing the government, enterprises, and parking space owners. Some factors were taken into account, e.g., owners' willingness to share, business modes of enterprises, and administration intensity of government. The replicator dynamic equation was employed to describe the strategic interactions among all parties. Moreover, the system equilibrium stability was analyzed based on Lyapunov theorem. The numerical simulation tests were carried out to investigate the main factors affecting evolutionary results, thus analyzing the evolutionary process and outcomes of strategic choices of each subject. Result Although the initial probabilities of strategy selection for each subject influence the evolutionary path and convergence speed, they do not alter the ultimate evolutionary outcome. The evolution rate of government's active administration strategy is inversely proportional to the initial willingness of enterprises and parking space owners. The evolution rates of strategy selection for enterprises and parking space owners are directly proportional to each other's willingness. By adjusting the subsidy intensity, the government could incentivize enterprises to develop the mode of parking ticket + shared parking, and enhance the enthusiasm of parking space owners for sharing. More parking space owners will participate in sharing, when enterprises choose for the mode of parking ticket + shared parking for operation. Through the government's active administration and enterprises' introduction of parking tickets, it is possible to promote the sharing behavior of parking space owners. It drives the system to evolve towards the ideal stable state and attain a win-win situation for all parties. Conclusion It is of great significance for the government to offer proactive guidance during the early stage of shared parking mode via subsidies and other means, aiming to assist it in surmounting the initial construction phase promptly. Integrating parking ticket trading into shared parking would contribute to augmenting the supply of parking spaces and expanding the market supply. The synergy between government guidance and enterprise mode innovation could stimulate parking space owners to actively engage, thereby attaining a win-win outcome for all parties with the shared parking mode and offering references for the government to formulate relevant policies and for enterprises to conduct operational practices.