Application of Blockchain Technology to Smart City Service: A Case of Ridesharing

Abstract

This article explores the potential probability of blockchain technology in assisting enhanced application for ridesharing services. The development of the sharing economy brings numerous novel ideas and generates many innovative businesses. However, the wide range of the sharing economy also causes disputes and questions, including labor, organizations, and regulations. Blockchain technology (hereafter blockchain) can facilitate virtual and physical networking symbiosis. This situation would motivate a new model of governance, namely, the bottom-up organization. Therefore, the blockchain would push governances and citizens to reorganize current complicated systems. In this work, we demonstrate SmaRi to achieve a decentralized transaction system combined with the blockchain as our case. Our proposed system provides users with automated execution and immutable record and distributes more decision-making power from centralized organization to users. These measures may fulfill the core value of the sharing economy through peer-to-peer exchanges. Furthermore, we illustrate how SmaRi can be combined with current management systems. By linking with the original system, SmaRi can establish comprehensive functions quickly. In this work, we can expect modern society to become closer to future smart cities.