Modeling Techniques in Predictive Analytics: Business Problems and Solutions with R, Revised and Expanded Edition

10. Spatial Data Analysis

“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.”

—HUMPHREY BOGART AS RICK BLAINE IN Casablanca (1942)

At 2 a.m. in Madison, Wisconsin in the middle of January, the temperature is well below freezing. The bars close and hundreds of partially to fully inebriated students stream onto State Street. Walking more than a few blocks in the cold weather is difficult, even for those who have not been drinking. It makes no sense to call a cab—the wait time is too long. But, if students walk a block or two from State Street, they might find a cab or two.

For the cabbie, this is the best of all worlds—many potential passengers with limited interest in walking. The cabbie can drive around until someone ...