TRUST-SC: Truthful Multi-Task Double Auction for Quality-Aware Spatial Crowdsourcing in Strategic Environment

Researchers Chattu Bhargavi, Vikash Kumar Singh, and Alok Kumar Shukla have introduced TRUST-SC, a novel mechanism for spatial crowdsourcing that addresses the challenge of strategic behavior from both task requesters and executors. The system uses a three-tier architecture: first, it groups task executors into spatial clusters to improve scalability and reduce allocation complexity. Second, it identifies reliable executors through a majority-voting-based quality evaluation process. Finally, it allocates tasks and determines payments using a multi-unit double-auction mechanism that ensures incentive compatibility and individual rationality.

The paper, which spans 40 pages and includes 11 figures, presents theoretical analysis and simulation results showing that TRUST-SC achieves efficient task allocation and reliable executor selection. The mechanism outperforms existing benchmark approaches, making it a promising solution for real-world spatial crowdsourcing applications like ride-sharing, food delivery, and field service management. By guaranteeing truthfulness and quality awareness, TRUST-SC could help platforms ensure fair and efficient operations in strategic environments.