Procedure and control system for operating a rental car fleet as well as rental car fleet

Abstract

Method for operating a rental car fleet (2), wherein - a control device (1) is provided by a user (3) who has a physical limitation, with a pick-up area (5), a destination area (7) and a data set (9) characterising the physical limitation, - by means of the control device (1), based on the physical limitation, a rental car (11) of the rental car fleet (2) is identified which is designed to accommodate and transport the user (3) with the physical limitation, - by means of the control device (1), a minimum pick-up point suitability value (12) is determined based on the physical limitation, which characterises a minimum suitability that a pick-up point (14) must at least have so that the user (3) can safely get into the rental car (11), - by means of the control device (1), a pick-up point suitability value (18) is assigned to each pick-up point (14) of a pick-up point set (16) located in the pick-up area (5) based on the physical limitation, - by means of the control device (1) a pick-up point (14) is selected from the pick-up point set (16) whose pick-up point suitability value (18) is greater than or equal to the minimum pick-up point suitability value (12), - by means of the control device (1), a respective route plan to the selected pick-up point (14) and to a destination point (15) located in the destination area (7) is sent to a navigation system of the identified rental car (11), based on which route plan the rental car (11) is steered to the pick-up point (14) and, after the user (3) has boarded, is steered to the destination point (15), wherein, in order to determine the pick-up point suitability value (18) and / or to determine a destination point suitability value (19), an environmental situation (22) prevailing at the respective point (14, 15) is detected by means of a sensor system of the rental car (11) upon its arrival at the corresponding point (14, 15) and / or by means of a sensor system (24) of another vehicle (10) of the rental car fleet (2), by detecting one or more of the following sub-situations relating to the physical limitation: - current or expected traffic volume (26), - current or expected use of parking space (30), - current or expected weather conditions (27), - a deployment (29) of rescue services, - a construction site (32).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a control device for operating a rental car fleet and to a rental car fleet.

[0002] Vehicle fleet operators whose vehicle fleet includes automated vehicles (AVs) are obligated not to discriminate against people with physical limitations, particularly disabilities such as limited mobility, impaired sensory perception, etc., in fleet operations. For example, full accessibility must be ensured when using the services offered (Mobility as a Service: MaaS). In Germany, this has been regulated by the German Inclusion Act (Gesetz zur Inklusion) since 2022, and in the USA by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Similar legal regulations are planned or already in force in other countries. Violation of such laws can result in heavy fines.

[0003] Even if the vehicles in the respective fleet are designed for inclusion, thus enabling barrier-free boarding and alighting and riding, other important aspects arise for the operation of the vehicle fleet. There is a need to ensure that the boarding and alighting environment is manageable for physically impaired users at the start and end of a journey. Getting in and out while the passenger vehicle is parked in a double row, on uneven roads, cobblestones, in front of particularly high curbs, etc., is not possible for all users with disabilities or illnesses / injuries. Therefore, an inclusively designed passenger vehicle alone does not create inclusive MaaS operations.

[0004] US 2020 / 065929 A1 discloses a passenger transport system in which a user's special need is indicated to a system controller, so that the system controller sends a special taxi to a pick-up area instead of a standard taxi, the special taxi being configured to meet the user's special need.

[0005] Furthermore, US 10 152 053 B1 discloses a fleet management system in which a user's travel request, a pickup location, position information about the current position of associated fleet vehicles, and information about a special need of the user are provided to a system processor via a communication device. Based on the aforementioned data, the system processor identifies a specific one of the fleet vehicles and sends it to the pickup location.

[0006] Another conventional system for organizing a car sharing fleet is disclosed in WO 2019 / 023 324 A1.

[0007] Furthermore, DE 20 2016 004 260 U1 discloses a system for coordinating several vehicles for the transport of people, in particular users with physical disabilities.

[0008] DE 20 2020 003 513 U1 discloses a device for sending, in particular, requests for assistance to support disabled people, especially wheelchair users and blind people, for barrier-free participation in local and long-distance public transport.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution to make it easier for a user with a physical disability to use a rental car fleet.

[0010] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims, the description, and the figures. Features, advantages, and possible embodiments presented in the description for one of the subject matter of the independent claims are to be regarded at least analogously as features, advantages, and possible embodiments of the respective subject matter of the other independent claims, as well as any possible combination of the subject matter of the independent claims, optionally in conjunction with one or more of the subclaims.

[0011] According to the invention, a method for operating a rental car fleet is proposed. Physical limitations (illness, injury, disability) often result in special medical needs, for example, when the affected person relies on a mobility aid (wheelchair, walking aid, prosthesis, etc.), a fixation device applied under and / or over the human skin for the medical treatment of bone fractures, posture correction, skeletal support, etc., a long white cane, an assistance animal—in particular, a guide dog, a medical signal dog (deaf signal dog, epilepsy dog, diabetic alert dog, etc.)—or a respiratory support device (such as a mobile oxygen concentrator or the like). Furthermore, the mobility of body joints may be limited.This can result in the affected person, as a user of a passenger car, only being able to get in and out of the vehicle with increased effort. Furthermore, passenger cars that offer insufficient space can only be used to a limited extent, as the aforementioned equipment and / or animals must be transported in the vehicle with the user.

[0012] In the method, the user who has the physical limitation provides a pick-up area, a destination area, and a data set characterizing the physical limitation, for example by the user sending the corresponding data to a control device of the rental car fleet. In addition to the method, the invention also relates to such a control device, which is configured to carry out one step, some steps, or all steps of the method described herein. The control device is, in particular, a so-called backend, i.e., a server device—i.e., a computer unit—of the rental car fleet or of an operator of the rental car fleet. The invention further relates to a rental car fleet that has the control device as a component.During operation of the rental car fleet, it is controlled by means of the control device, in particular organized by executing the method by means of the control device.

[0013] Based on the physical limitation (i.e., based on the data characterizing the physical limitation), a rental car from the vehicle fleet is identified - for example, using the control device - which is equipped to accommodate and transport the user with the physical limitation. This means that a rental car from the fleet which, due to its design, is unsuitable for transporting the user taking their physical limitation into account, will not be used by the control device for the further course of the procedure, at least not for transporting the user. Instead, a specific rental car (or a rental car from a specific group of rental cars) will be identified and used for the further course of the procedure. The specific rental car will, for example, have features that make it easier for the user to use the rental car.This can be a particularly spacious interior, a lifting device for wheelchairs, a special restraint device for safely transporting a dog, etc.

[0014] In particular, it is intended that the rental car fleet include an automated vehicle. This allows the rental car to operate driverless on public roads. For example, the automated vehicle receives route planning via the control device and drives autonomously along the route.

[0015] Based on the data characterizing the physical limitation, i.e. based on the physical limitation of the user, the method further determines a minimum pick-up point suitability value. This characterizes the minimum suitability of a pick-up point that this pick-up point must at least have in order for the user to safely get into the rental car. This can be done, for example, using the control device. The pick-up point is a point that lies in the pick-up area. The pick-up area therefore has a plurality of pick-up points. The pick-up point is, for example, an address (street and house number), whereas the pick-up area is, for example, a street, a district, a block of houses, etc.The minimum pick-up point suitability value, determined based on the physical limitation, describes the conditions that must be present at the pick-up point so that the user can get into the rental car as easily and safely as possible, taking their physical limitation into account. For example, the minimum pick-up point suitability value may state that a lowered curb must be present at the pick-up point so that the user can easily access the roadway to get into the rental car without the risk of falling. This applies, for example, if the user is wheelchair-bound. Furthermore, the minimum pick-up point suitability value may stipulate that motor vehicles are permitted to stop at the pick-up point, particularly if boarding requires more time than usual, for example, if the user is dependent on an assistive device (a wheelchair lift, etc.) to get in.

[0016] The method further provides for one or more of the pick-up points located in the pick-up area of ​​the set of pick-up points to be assigned a pick-up point suitability value based on the physical limitation. The respective coordinates of the pick-up points can, for example, be stored in a storage unit, with the control device and / or the rental cars of the fleet having access to the storage unit. The pick-up point suitability value characterizes the actual suitability of the pick-up point, i.e., the extent to which the user could easily and safely board the rental car at that pick-up point. If the user is wheelchair-dependent and the pick-up point has infrastructure unsuitable for wheelchair use, e.g., high curbs, etc., the pick-up point in question is assigned a particularly low pick-up point suitability value.Conversely, the pick-up point in question will be assigned a higher pick-up point suitability score if it facilitates easy and efficient wheelchair use. Depending on the type and severity of the user's physical limitations, different features of the pick-up point are taken into account when determining the minimum pick-up point suitability and the actual pick-up point suitability. Therefore, depending on the user's physical limitations, different minimum pick-up point suitability scores and different pick-up point suitability scores can be assigned to the same pick-up point from case to case.

[0017] A pick-up point is then selected from the set of pick-up points whose pick-up point suitability value is greater than or equal to the minimum pick-up point suitability value. The method therefore compares the pick-up point suitability values ​​of the set of pick-up points with the minimum pick-up point suitability value, and based on the comparison result, at least one of the pick-up points is selected that best meets the user's needs. For this purpose, the pick-up point is selected, in particular, whose actual pick-up point suitability value deviates the least from the minimum pick-up point suitability value, or the pick-up point whose pick-up point suitability value is furthest above the minimum pick-up point suitability value. This ensures that a pick-up point is selected from the set of pick-up points that enables and, in particular, supports the user's particularly easy and safe boarding of the rental car.This means the user does not put himself in excessive danger when trying to get into the rental car.

[0018] The identified rental car is then directed to the selected pick-up point, where the user can board particularly easily and safely. After the user has boarded, the rental car is directed to a destination located within the destination area. For this purpose, the control unit provides the rental car's navigation system with a route plan to the pick-up point and a route plan from the pick-up point to the destination. In particular, a control unit of the rental car linked to the navigation system steers the rental car autonomously to the destination area. It is also conceivable for a driver, for example a chauffeur, to drive the rental car to the destination in the conventional manner based on the route plans stored in the navigation system.

[0019] This procedure takes into account the concept of particularly easy use of a rental car fleet, especially for people with physical limitations. Despite the circumstances associated with the physical limitation, users can use the rental car fleet particularly easily and with minimal effort, thus remaining mobile – a basic human need.

[0020] According to another possible embodiment of the method, a destination point minimum suitability value is determined based on the physical limitation. This value characterizes the minimum suitability that a destination point must at least have in order for the user to get out of the rental car safely. In other words, based on the data characterizing the physical limitation, i.e. based on the user's physical limitation, the destination point minimum suitability value is determined. This value characterizes the minimum suitability of a destination point that this destination point must at least have in order for the user to get out of the rental car safely. This can be done, for example, using the control device. Analogous to the pick-up point, the destination point is a point that lies in the destination area. The destination area therefore has a plurality of destination points.The destination point can be an address (street and house number), whereas the destination area can be a street, a neighborhood, a block, etc. Similar to the explanation of the minimum pick-up point suitability value, the minimum destination point suitability value, which is determined based on the physical limitation, describes the conditions that must be present at the destination point so that the user can exit the rental car as easily and safely as possible, taking their physical limitation into account. For example, the minimum destination point suitability value can state that a lowered curb must be present at the destination point so that the user (e.g., a wheelchair user) can easily and safely transfer from the roadway to a pedestrian path without risk of falling.Furthermore, the destination point minimum suitability value may stipulate that stopping for motor vehicles is permitted at the destination point, in particular if more time than usual is required for alighting, for example if the user is dependent on an assistive device (a wheelchair lift, etc.) to alight.

[0021] In addition, one or more of the target points in the target area of ​​the target point set are assigned a target point suitability value based on the physical limitation. The respective coordinates of the target points can, for example, be stored in the storage unit. The target point suitability value characterizes the actual suitability of the target point, to what extent the user could easily and safely get out of the rental car at that target point. If the user is dependent on a wheelchair and the target point has infrastructure unsuitable for wheelchair use, e.g., high curbs, etc., the target point in question is assigned a particularly low target point suitability value. On the other hand, the target point in question is assigned a higher target point suitability value if it facilitates easy and efficient use of a wheelchair.Depending on the type and severity of the user's physical limitation, different characteristics of the target point are taken into account in the target point's minimum suitability and the actual target point's suitability, so that - depending on the user's physical limitation - different target point minimum suitability values ​​and different target point suitability values ​​can be assigned to the same target point from case to case.

[0022] A destination point is then selected from the destination point set whose destination point suitability value is greater than or equal to the destination point minimum suitability value. The method therefore compares the destination point suitability values ​​of the destination point set with the destination point minimum suitability value, and based on the comparison result, at least one of the destination points is selected that best meets the user's needs. For this purpose, in particular the destination point is selected whose actual destination point suitability value deviates the least downwards from the destination point minimum suitability value, or the destination point whose destination point suitability value lies furthest above the destination point minimum suitability value. This ensures that a destination point is selected from the destination point set that enables and, in particular, supports the user's particularly easy and particularly safe exit from the rental car.This means the user does not put himself in excessive danger when he wants to get out of the rental car.

[0023] After the user has boarded the vehicle in the pick-up area, specifically at the pick-up point, the identified rental car is directed to the selected destination, where the user can disembark easily and safely. For this purpose, the control unit provides the rental car's navigation system with the route planning from the pick-up point to the destination.

[0024] In this way, the user is specially protected with regard to their physical limitations both at the pick-up point and at the destination, making using the rental car fleet particularly easy for the user. Using the pick-up point minimum suitability score, the pick-up point suitability score, the destination point minimum suitability score, and the destination point suitability score, the pick-up and destination points are evaluated and clustered, particularly with regard to their respective accessibility and / or other conditions at the respective points that must be present for the user to board and disembark safely.

[0025] The method also generally provides that, in order to determine the respective suitability value (i.e., to determine the pick-up point suitability value and / or the destination point suitability value), an environmental situation prevailing at the respective point (i.e., at the respective pick-up point and / or at the respective destination point) is recorded by recording one or more of the following sub-situations relating to the physical limitation: - current or expected traffic volume, such as flowing motor vehicle traffic, pedestrian traffic, etc., - current or expected use of parking space, for example, capacity utilization of public parking spaces, parking garages, etc., - current or expected weather conditions, such as snow, ice, rain, etc., - an arrangement and / or design of infrastructural barriers, for example curbs, bollards, vegetation areas, pedestrian crossings, etc., - the deployment of rescue services (police, fire brigade, rescue service, technical relief organisation, etc.), - a construction site.

[0026] The respective sub-situation can facilitate or impede the use of a user's aid, such as a wheelchair, crutches, a walker, etc., so that, depending on the type and characteristics of the sub-situation, the respective suitability value of the pick-up point and / or the destination point is set higher or lower. By recording the environmental situation, which can be detected, for example, when the rental car arrives at the pick-up / destination point using the rental car's sensors, a pick-up / destination point that is particularly advantageous for the user can be determined particularly efficiently and precisely.

[0027] To determine the respective suitability value, in a further possible embodiment, a distance is recorded by which the respective pick-up or destination point of the set of pick-up or destination points and a respective user's desired location are separated from each other. In the context of a user's pick-up, the user's desired location is a pick-up location that the user has provided to the control device for the pick-up. The user's desired location can be the user's actual location at the time the user submits a pick-up request or transport request. The user's desired location and the pick-up point from which the user is ultimately picked up can coincide. In any case, the method generally defines the pick-up area such that the user's desired location for the pick-up lies within the pick-up area; the pick-up area is therefore determined and provided based on the user's desired location.In the context of a user's arrival, the desired user location is an arrival location that the user has provided to the control device. The desired user location can be the user's actual desired destination. The desired user location and the destination point to which the user wishes to reach can coincide. In any case, the method generally defines the destination area such that the desired user arrival location lies within the destination area; the destination area is therefore determined and provided based on the desired user location.

[0028] The suitability value is set higher the smaller the distance between the corresponding point and the user's desired location. For example, if there is a possible first pick-up point that is more convenient for the user in terms of their physical disability than a second pick-up point, but the first pick-up point is further away from the user's desired location than the second pick-up point, a decision can be made - for example by means of the control device and / or by the user - that the second pick-up point is to be used as the actual pick-up point. This is because it may be more difficult for the user to get to the first pick-up point than to get into the rental car at the second pick-up point and overcome a minor obstacle that is not present at the first pick-up point. Depending on the physical disability, the distance between the corresponding point and the user's desired location can be weighted or taken into account differently when determining the respective suitability value.be evaluated. By recording the distance, the user's needs when using the rental car fleet are addressed particularly individually.

[0029] According to another possible embodiment of the method, the environmental situation and / or the distance are detected using sensors in another vehicle in the rental car fleet. This vehicle equipped with sensors can, for example, be a pure sensor or detection vehicle in the rental car fleet or another rental car equipped for passenger transport. A combination of a sensor and passenger transport vehicle is also conceivable. In this way, the corresponding point, i.e., the pick-up point and / or the destination point, can be sensed even before the rental car arrives, with the above-described environmental situation and / or the distance between the user's desired location and the point being detected.It is also conceivable that fleet intelligence could be utilized, with several vehicles of the rental car fleet continuously scanning a rental car fleet's operating area for possible pick-up and destination points, for example, during another passenger trip, during an empty run, etc., for which a detour may even be accepted. For example, the operating area is continuously mapped, providing the control unit with an increasing number of possible pick-up and destination points (independent of a specific pick-up or destination area, since these are only defined individually when the user commissions the rental car fleet) that meet the needs of users with a physical disability.In this way, one of the possible pick-up points can be selected particularly quickly, especially before the rental car intended / identified for transporting the user arrives on site. Furthermore, unnecessary journeys for the rental car and waiting times for the user can be avoided if it is already clear when approaching the user's desired pick-up location that a different pick-up point must be chosen from the user's desired pick-up location in order to enable the user to board as easily and safely as possible. Even when approaching the empty pick-up point, the user can be informed of the pick-up point to go to in order to enable them to board as easily and safely as possible. The advantages also apply analogously when arriving in the destination area, particularly at the destination.

[0030] In a further possible embodiment of the method, two or more (pickup and / or destination) points are provided to the user for selection from the point set—i.e., from the pick-up point set and / or the destination point set—whose suitability value is each greater than or equal to the minimum suitability value. For this purpose, the points available for selection (or their coordinates) are sent, for example, to a personal selection device of the user, such as their smartphone, PC, etc. The user can then select one of the points available as a pick-up point or destination point based on their personal preferences. As a result, the user's individual wishes are even better addressed.

[0031] Further features of the invention can be derived from the following description of the figures and from the drawing. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features shown below in the description of the figures and / or in the figure alone, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0032] The drawing shows in the Fig. The single figure designated in Figure 1, in which identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals, shows a schematic diagram of the use of a rental car fleet.

[0033] A control device 1 of a rental car fleet 2 is configured to carry out a method described herein for controlling the rental car fleet 2, in particular to make it easier for a user 3 who has a physical limitation to use the rental car fleet 2. The rental car fleet 2 is a mobility-as-a-service offering from a mobility provider. For ease of description, a person who is dependent on a wheelchair is used as an example for the user 3. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the user 3 who is dependent on the wheelchair, but that the invention also makes it easier for other users 3 to use the rental car fleet 2, for example users 3 who have a different type and / or pronounced physical limitation, such as a temporary injury, etc. Depending on the physical limitation, the user 3 may be dependent on a wheelchair, crutches, a service animal, etc.instructed.

[0034] In the method, the user 3 sends, for example by means of a smartphone 4, a set of coordinates 6 characterizing a pick-up area 5, a set of coordinates 8 characterizing a destination area 7 and a data set 9 characterizing the physical restriction to the control unit 1. The rental car fleet 2 has a plurality of rental cars 10, of which at least one (in Fig. 1 (identified by reference numeral 11) is specially configured to accommodate, transport, or convey the user with the physical disability. The specially configured rental car 11 in this case has means to enable a wheelchair user to get in and out with particularly little effort and efficiency. Based on the physical limitation of the user 3, due to which he or she is dependent on the wheelchair, the control unit 1 identifies the rental car 11 as a vehicle of the rental car fleet 2 in order to transport the user 3.

[0035] Based on the physical limitation of user 3, i.e., in this case, based on the fact that user 3 is wheelchair-dependent, a pick-up point minimum suitability value 12 and a destination point minimum suitability value 13 are determined, wherein the pick-up point minimum suitability value 12 characterizes a minimum suitability that a pick-up point 14 must at least have in order for user 3 to safely enter the rental car. The destination point minimum suitability value 13 characterizes a minimum suitability that a destination point 15 must at least have in order for user 3 to safely exit the rental car. The respective pick-up point 14 is part of a pick-up point set 16, and the respective destination point 15 is part of a destination point set 17, wherein the respective point sets 16, 17 in Fig.1 is represented by the respective area 5, 7. In other words, several possible pick-up points 14 are located in the pick-up area 5, and several possible destination points 15 are located in the destination area 7.

[0036] The possible pick-up points 14 of the pick-up point set 16 located in the pick-up area 5 are each assigned a pick-up point suitability value 18 based on the physical limitation of the user 3, and the possible destination points 15 located in the destination area 17 are each assigned a destination point suitability value 19 based on the physical limitation of the user 3. Then, by comparing the respective minimum suitability value 12, 13 with the corresponding suitability value 18, 19, one of the pick-up points 14 and one of the destination points 15 is selected whose respective suitability value 18, 19 is greater than or equal to the corresponding minimum suitability value 12, 13. In the present example, it is provided that two or more possible pick-up points 14 and / or two or more destination points 15 are selected from the pick-up point set 16 and / or two or more destination points 15 are selected from the destination point set 17 and delivered to the user 3 for selection. The options available are 15, 16 and 17.Their coordinate sets 20 can, for example, be sent to the smartphone 4. The user 3 then performs a selection action to select the desired one of the at least two pick-up points 14 and / or the desired one of the two or more destination points 15.

[0037] The rental car 11 is then directed to the pick-up point 14 selected by the control unit 1 and / or the user 3. There, the user 3 gets into the rental car 11, which then transports the user 3 to the destination area 7, in particular to the destination point 15. The rental car 10, 11 in the present case is a passenger car that is configured to complete a route 21 from the pick-up area 5 to the destination area 6, in particular from the pick-up point 14 to the destination point 15, entirely or partially in autonomous driving mode. After the user 3 has gotten into the rental car 11, the rental car 11 is directed to the destination area 7, in this case to the destination point 15. In the destination area 7, in particular at the destination point 15, the user 3 gets out of the rental car 11.Getting into the rental car 11 at the pick-up point 14 and getting out of the rental car 11 at the destination point 15 is particularly easy and low-effort for user 3, in particular without excessive danger for user 3, since the process checks whether the pick-up point 14 and / or the destination point 15 are suitable for boarding and disembarking with the least possible risk and effort. The process therefore clusters or evaluates different possible points 14, 15 located in the respective area 16, 17, so that user 3 is provided with the most suitable point 14, 15 for boarding and disembarking, taking into account the physical limitation.

[0038] In the present example, to determine the respective suitability value 18, 19, an environmental situation 22 prevailing at the respective point 14, 15 is recorded by means of a sensor system 23 of the rental car 11 and / or a sensor system 24 of another vehicle 25 of the rental car fleet 2, one or more sub-situations being recorded, wherein the respective sub-situation relates to the user's physical limitation in light of boarding and / or alighting. The environmental situation 22 prevailing at the corresponding point 14, 15 thus has one or more sub-situations or is composed of one or more of the sub-situations. A sub-situation characterizes a current or expected traffic volume 26 at the time of boarding or alighting, such as particularly heavy and / or fast-moving motor vehicle traffic, traffic jams, pedestrian traffic, etc. Current or expected weather conditions 27 - for example, whether it is snowing, raining, etc., whether there is a layer of ice on the ground at point 14, 15 - represents a further sub-situation in this case that influences the safe boarding / disembarkation of user 3. In addition, the arrangement and / or design of infrastructural barriers 28, for example curbs, bollards, vegetation areas, pedestrian crossings, etc., has a further sub-situation that influences the easy and safe use of the rental car fleet 2 by user 3. The deployment 29 of rescue and / or emergency services (police, fire brigade, rescue service, technical relief organization, etc.) or the lack thereof represents a further sub-situation for the environmental situation 22. A further sub-situation characterizes a current or expected utilization of parking space, for example, the utilization of public parking spaces 30, parking garages, etc.Due to particularly high parking space utilization at the pick-up point 14 or the destination point 15, only parking in the second row 31 may be possible, which would pose an excessive risk to user 3 when boarding / alighting the wheelchair. A possible construction site 32 could also hinder boarding and / or alighting at the pick-up point 14 and / or the destination point 15, so that as a further sub-situation, the presence or absence of a construction site 32 at the corresponding point 14, 15 is of interest to user 3 and to the rental car fleet 2.

[0039] In addition, in the example, a distance 33 is recorded, which is the distance between the respective point 14, 15 and a respective user request location 34. In the context of a pickup of user 3, the user request location 34 is a pickup location that the user has provided to the control device 1 for the pickup. The user request location 34 can be the actual location of the user at the time the user 3 submits a pickup request or transport request. The user request location 34 and the pickup point 14 from which the user 3 is ultimately picked up can coincide. In any case, the method generally defines the pickup area 5 such that the user request location 34 for the pickup lies within the pickup area; the pickup area 5 is therefore determined and provided based on the user request location 34 relevant for the pickup.In connection with an arrival of user 3, the desired user location 34 is an arrival location that the user 3 has provided to the control device 1. The desired user location 34 can be the actual desired destination of the user 3. The desired user location 34 and the destination point 15 to which the user 3 wishes to reach can coincide. In any case, the method generally defines the destination area 7 such that the desired user location 34 for the arrival lies within the destination area 7; the destination area 7 is therefore determined and provided based on the desired user location 34 relevant for the arrival.

[0040] The respective suitability value 18, 19 is set higher the smaller the distance 33 between the corresponding point 14, 15 and the user's desired location 34. Depending on the type and / or severity of the physical limitation of the user 3, the distance 33 between the corresponding point 14, 15 and the user's desired location 34 is weighted or evaluated differently when determining the respective suitability value 18, 19. Based on the recording of the distance 33, the needs of the user 3 when using the rental car fleet 2 are addressed particularly individually.

[0041] The method for operating the rental car fleet 2, by the control device 1 and by the rental car fleet 2, demonstrates a respective possibility of making it easier for the user 3 with their physical disability to use the rental car fleet. The method described herein is used to implement such a holistic, inclusion-oriented MaaS operation (MaaS: Mobility as a Service) from boarding to disembarkation and thus to comply with legal regulations on inclusion. When booking the MaaS service, i.e. when requesting a rental car 10, 11, the user 3 can inform the control device 1, which can be designed, for example, as a backend, about the type and severity of their physical disability, in this case by the user 3 sending the data set 9 characterizing the disability to the control device 1.This can be done as part of the booking, or the user 3 can store the data set 9 in a user profile so that it can be accessed for (future) bookings. If the rental car fleet 2 is a mixed fleet, i.e., it includes both rental cars 10 without special equipment and specially equipped rental cars 11, the control device 1 will only consider specially equipped rental cars 11 when booking for the user 3. The backend or the control device 1 defines a pick-up position in the desired vicinity of the user 3, i.e., in the pick-up area 5, in which barrier-free entry is possible for the user 3, taking the physical limitation into account. For this purpose, unfavorable boarding options for the user 3 (for example, if the user would have to get into the rental car 11 parked in the second row (see 31), if there is limited space at the location where the rental car 11 is parked, etc.) are excluded.Map data used by the rental car fleet 2 - in particular the control device 1 and / or the rental cars 10, 11 - is enriched with additional information relating to the physical limitation, in this case for example with the respective environmental situation 22. Potentially non-accessible areas are recorded in the operational or business area of ​​the rental car fleet 2. The areas are clustered and evaluated with regard to accessibility with regard to different physical limitations and / or manifestations thereof. For example, an area can be classified as "never accessible", as "not accessible for wheelchairs" or the like. Furthermore, current information, for example whether a road is heavily used and / or whether there are a lot of people there, can be taken into account. The environmental situation 22 orthe associated sub-situations using vehicle sensors and / or infrastructure sensors, in this example using sensors 23 and / or 24. Corresponding sensor data can be provided wirelessly and / or wired to control unit 1 via Car2Car, Car2X, mobile communications, and / or the Internet. Furthermore, so-called lifetime information can be used: Another vehicle (here, the additional vehicle 25) examines potential areas for their suitability to serve as points 14, 15 – particularly during a different transport trip, an empty run, etc. This involves recording temporary conditions, such as construction sites, etc. This utilizes fleet intelligence, and continuous mapping is performed. Alternatively or additionally, data services, particularly traffic data services (RDS, GPS, etc.), can be used.

[0042] In particular, the determined pick-up position (i.e., the selected pick-up point 14) is reported back to user 3, and barrier-free boarding into the rental car 11 takes place there. A destination is validated, in particular evaluated and clustered, by control device 1 in a manner analogous to that described for the pick-up location. If necessary, an alternative destination (i.e., a destination point 15) in the immediate desired destination vicinity (i.e., in destination area 7) is assigned to user 3 and transmitted via control device 1. Route guidance is adapted via control device 1 in order to reach destination point 15, which differs from the user's desired location 34. List of reference symbols 1 control device 2 rental car fleet 3 users 4 smartphones 5 Pick-up area 6 Coordinate set 7 Target area 8 Coordinate set 9 data set 10 rental cars 11 specially equipped rental cars 12 Pick-up point minimum suitability value 13 Target point minimum suitability value 14 Pick-up point 15 Destination point 16 Pick-up point quantity 17 Target point set 18 Pick-up point suitability value 19 Target point suitability value 20 coordinate set 21 Route 22 Environmental situation 23 Sensor technology 24 Sensor technology 25 additional vehicles in the rental car fleet 26 Traffic volume 27 Weather 28 infrastructural barrier 29 Deployment of rescue services 30 parking spaces 31 Stop in second row 32 construction site 33 Distance 34 User preferred location

Claims

[1] Method for operating a rental car fleet (2), wherein - a control device (1) is provided by a user (3) who has a physical limitation, with a pick-up area (5), a destination area (7) and a data set (9) characterising the physical limitation, - by means of the control device (1), based on the physical limitation, a rental car (11) of the rental car fleet (2) is identified which is designed to accommodate and transport the user (3) with the physical limitation, - by means of the control device (1), a minimum pick-up point suitability value (12) is determined based on the physical limitation, which characterises a minimum suitability that a pick-up point (14) must at least have so that the user (3) can safely get into the rental car (11), - by means of the control device (1), a pick-up point suitability value (18) is assigned to each pick-up point (14) of a pick-up point set (16) located in the pick-up area (5) based on the physical limitation, - by means of the control device (1) a pick-up point (14) is selected from the pick-up point set (16) whose pick-up point suitability value (18) is greater than or equal to the minimum pick-up point suitability value (12), - by means of the control device (1), a respective route plan to the selected pick-up point (14) and to a destination point (15) located in the destination area (7) is sent to a navigation system of the identified rental car (11), based on which route plan the rental car (11) is steered to the pick-up point (14) and, after the user (3) has boarded, is steered to the destination point (15), wherein, in order to determine the pick-up point suitability value (18) and / or to determine a destination point suitability value (19), an environmental situation (22) prevailing at the respective point (14, 15) is detected by means of a sensor system of the rental car (11) upon its arrival at the corresponding point (14, 15) and / or by means of a sensor system (24) of another vehicle (10) of the rental car fleet (2), by detecting one or more of the following sub-situations relating to the physical limitation: - current or expected traffic volume (26), - current or expected use of parking space (30), - current or expected weather conditions (27), - a deployment (29) of rescue workers, - a construction site (32). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that - by means of the control device (1), a minimum suitability value (13) for the destination point is determined based on the physical limitation, which characterises a minimum suitability that a destination point (15) must at least have in order for the user (3) to be able to get out of the rental car (11) safely, - by means of the control device (1), target points (15) of a target point set (17) located in the target area (7) are assigned a target point suitability value (19) based on the physical limitation, - by means of the control device (1) a target point (15) is selected from the target point set (17) whose target point suitability value (19) is greater than or equal to the second target point minimum suitability value (13), - the identified rental car (11) is directed to the destination point (15) in the destination area (7). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that in order to record the environmental situation (22), a further partial situation is recorded, namely an arrangement and / or design of infrastructural barriers (28). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that, in order to determine the respective suitability value (18, 19), a distance (33) over which the respective point (14, 15) of the point set (16, 17) and a user desired location (34) are separated from each other is recorded, the suitability value (18, 19) being higher the smaller the distance (33). [5] Method according to claim 4, characterized bythat the distance (33) is detected by means of the sensor system (24) of the further vehicle (10) of the rental car fleet (2). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the additional vehicle (10) is used as a pure recording vehicle of the rental car fleet (2) or another rental car (11) of the rental car fleet (2). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that, by means of fleet intelligence, several vehicles (10, 11) of the rental car fleet (2) continuously examine an area of ​​operation of the rental car fleet (2) for possible pick-up points (14) and destination points (15). [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that from the set of points (16, 17) two or more points (14, 15) whose suitability value (18, 19) is each greater than or equal to the minimum suitability value (12, 13) are made available to the user (3) for selection by means of the control device (1). [9] Control device (1) for operating a rental car fleet (2), wherein the control device (1) is configured to carry out steps of the method according to one or more of the preceding claims. [10] Rental car fleet (2) with a control device (1) designed according to claim 9.

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