Riding the night shift: Spatiotemporal analysis of ride-hailing’s impact on urban nighttime hospitality consumption in the digital age

Abstract

Ride-hailing services, powered by real-time connectivity between drivers and passengers, have transformed urban mobility by reducing travel time and costs. This technological shift enhances nighttime transportation accessibility and stimulates hospitality consumption in the digital economy. Using a large-scale dataset of ride-hailing records and a two-way fixed-effects model, this study investigates how ride-hailing reshapes the spatial distribution of urban nighttime economic activity. Our findings reveal that ride-hailing promotes a diffusion effect, spreading hospitality consumption across broader urban areas rather than concentrating it in traditional hubs. Moreover, we identify an inverted U-shaped relationship in consumption agglomeration over time, suggesting that initial clustering is followed by gradual dispersion as ride-hailing services expand. These insights contribute to the literature on urban nighttime economies and offer practical implications for policymakers. By strategically optimizing transportation networks, cities can foster balanced growth in nighttime hospitality sectors, supporting both economic vibrancy and spatial equity.