Vehicle-allocation device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle-allocation device capable of suppressing reduction of an opportunity of using an electric vehicle as a vehicle-allocation vehicle.SOLUTION: CPU 110 determines a plurality of vehicle-allocation candidates including applied vehicle-allocation candidates each to which an incentive is applied via selection of a user, based on an allocation reservation received from a user terminal 800 used by the user. The applied vehicle-allocation candidates are candidates of allocating a vehicle B allocated to a getting-on place, and a vehicle C traveling to a getting-off place by transit from the vehicle B. The vehicle B and vehicle C each are an electric vehicle chargeable from charging equipment. Drivable distances of the vehicle B and the vehicle C each are shorter than a travel distance from the getting-on place to the getting-off place, and a sum of the drivable distances of the vehicle B and the vehicle C is longer than the travel distance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle dispatch device. [Background technology]

[0002] JP 2019-168922 A (Patent Document 1) discloses a vehicle dispatch system in the case where an electric vehicle is used as a taxi vehicle. In this vehicle dispatch system, the vehicle is dispatched by matching the required distance of the taxi user with the cruising distance calculated from the remaining battery charge and taking into account the waiting time. This is said to improve the overall transportation efficiency of the electric vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-168922 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In this way, the dispatch system described in Patent Document 1 is premised on dispatching a vehicle that matches the cruising distance of the vehicle used as a taxi with the required distance of the user (taxi user). However, if the required distance of the user is long, there is a high possibility that a vehicle equipped with an engine with a relatively long cruising distance will be dispatched, which may reduce opportunities to use electric vehicles.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle dispatching device that can suppress a decrease in opportunities for using electric vehicles as dispatched vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle dispatching device of the present disclosure is a device that dispatches a vehicle to transport a user by paying a fee from a boarding location to a disembarking location. The vehicle dispatching device includes a calculation unit and a communication unit. The calculation unit determines a plurality of vehicle dispatch candidates including an incentive-granting vehicle dispatch candidate to which an incentive is granted by a user's selection based on a vehicle dispatch reservation accepted from a user terminal used by the user. The communication unit transmits the incentive determined by the calculation unit and the plurality of vehicle dispatch candidates to the user terminal. The incentive-granting vehicle dispatch candidates are a first vehicle dispatched to the boarding location and a second vehicle that travels to the disembarking location by transferring from the first vehicle. Both the first vehicle and the second vehicle are electric vehicles that can be charged from a charging facility. The cruising distance of the first vehicle and the cruising distance of the second vehicle are both shorter than the driving distance from the boarding location to the disembarking location, and the sum of the cruising distance of the first vehicle and the cruising distance of the second vehicle is longer than the driving distance. According to this configuration, a user seeking an incentive can select a candidate vehicle that involves a transfer between two electric vehicles, thereby preventing a decrease in opportunities for using an electric vehicle as a dispatched vehicle. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress a decrease in opportunities for using electric vehicles as dispatch vehicles. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a vehicle dispatch system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display on a user terminal. [Diagram 3] 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of processing executed by the vehicle dispatch system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and will not be described repeatedly.

[0010] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of a vehicle dispatch system 1. The vehicle dispatch system 1 includes a plurality of taxi vehicles 10, a vehicle dispatch device 100, and a user terminal 800 carried by a user who desires transportation by the taxi vehicles 10. The taxi vehicles 10, the vehicle dispatch device 100, and the user terminal 800 are capable of communicating with each other via a communication network.

[0011] The multiple taxi vehicles 10 include taxi vehicle 10a (also referred to as "vehicle A"), taxi vehicle 10b (also referred to as "vehicle B"), and taxi vehicle 10c (also referred to as "vehicle C"). In this embodiment, vehicles B and C are electric vehicles that can be charged from a charging facility (EVSE: Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) and are BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) that do not have an engine (internal combustion engine). Vehicle A is a vehicle that has an engine. Vehicles B and C have shorter cruising distances than vehicle A that is equipped with an engine.

[0012] Each of the multiple taxi vehicles 10 provides a service of transporting a user from a boarding location to an alighting location in return for a fee. The vehicle dispatching device 100 is a device that dispatches the taxi vehicles 10.

[0013] Vehicles B and C include a battery 11, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 12, a drive unit 13, a DCM (Data Communication Module) 14, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) 15, and a navigation device 17. The battery 11 stores power used for driving vehicles B and C. The battery 11 is, for example, a lithium ion battery. However, the battery 11 is not limited to this, and may be other types of batteries, for example, a nickel-metal hydride battery or an all-solid-state battery.

[0014] The ECU 12 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory. The memory includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) and stores programs and data used by the CPU. The CPU executes predetermined processing defined by a program according to the programs and data stored in the memory and data input from the outside, and stores data resulting from the execution in the memory or outputs it to the outside.

[0015] The navigation device 17 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System). The GPS detects the position information of the vehicles B and C. The navigation device 17 transfers the position information detected by the GPS to the CPU.

[0016] The drive unit 13 includes a motor generator and an inverter that drives the motor generator using power from the battery 11 and charges the battery 11 with regenerative power by the motor generator. The DCM 14 is a module for communicating with external devices via a communication network, and transmits data from the ECU 12 to the external device and passes data from the external device to the ECU 12. The HMI 15 is provided near the driver's seats of the vehicles B and C, and receives information input by a user and outputs it to the ECU 12, and notifies the user of information from the ECU 12 by display or voice, and is configured to include, for example, a touch panel display.

[0017] Vehicles B and C are vehicles that do not have engines and run on power from a battery 11, whereas vehicle A is a vehicle that has an engine. Vehicle A has a longer cruising distance compared to vehicles B and C, and may be a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

[0018] The dispatch device 100 includes a CPU 110 as a calculation unit, a memory 120, a communication unit 130, and a large-capacity storage device 140. The dispatch device 100 manages the dispatch status of the taxi vehicles 10. The memory 120 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The communication unit 130 can communicate with an external device via a communication network, transmits data from the CPU 110 to the external device, and transfers data from the external device to the CPU 110. The large-capacity storage device 140 is composed of a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores programs and data used by the CPU 110. The CPU 110 executes a predetermined process defined by a program according to the programs and data stored in the memory 120 or the large-capacity storage device 140 and data input from the external device to the communication unit 130, and stores data resulting from the execution in the memory 120 or the large-capacity storage device 140 or outputs the data from the communication unit 130 to the external device.

[0019] The user terminal 800 includes a CPU 810, a memory 820, a communication unit 830, an input unit 840, and an output unit 850. The functions of the memory 820 and the communication unit 830 of the user terminal 800 are similar to those of the memory 120 and the communication unit 130 of the vehicle dispatch device 100 described above. The input unit 840 is composed of a touch panel, an operation button, and a microphone, and transfers data input from the touch panel, the operation button, or the microphone to the CPU 810. The output unit 850 is composed of a display and a speaker, and outputs data from the CPU 810 from the display or the speaker. In the user terminal 800 used by the user, a vehicle dispatch application, which is an application program for receiving a vehicle dispatch service in the vehicle dispatch system 1, is pre-installed in the memory 820.

[0020] In the prior art, when transporting a user from a boarding location to a disembarking location, an electric vehicle whose planned driving distance from the boarding location to the disembarking location is longer than the cruising distance (the distance that can be traveled with the power of the battery 11 in the case of vehicles B and C) is not dispatched in principle. If such an electric vehicle is dispatched, it will need to be charged from a charging facility before reaching the disembarking location. In the case of an electric vehicle that takes a long time to charge, the user will be forced to wait for a long time while the vehicle is being charged. For this reason, in the prior art, there is a high possibility that a vehicle equipped with an engine with a relatively long cruising distance will be dispatched, which reduces opportunities to use electric vehicles.

[0021] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, vehicle A, which is an engine vehicle, and vehicles B and C, which are BEV vehicles, are present as dispatch candidates. In this case, the cruising distance of vehicle A is relatively long, and the cruising distance of vehicle A exceeds the user's driving distance (the planned driving distance from the departure location to the drop-off location). On the other hand, vehicles B and C both have short cruising distances, and the cruising distances of vehicles B and C are both shorter than the user's driving distance. In this case, conventionally, vehicle A would be selected as the dispatch vehicle. On the other hand, in this embodiment, a grant dispatch candidate (a dispatch candidate in which a transfer between two electric vehicles occurs) in which the user gets on vehicle B from the departure location, transfers to vehicle C, and gets off at the drop-off location is configured to be included in the user's options as a dispatch candidate to which an incentive is granted. The sum of the cruising distances of vehicles B and C is longer than the driving distance.

[0022] 2 is a diagram showing a display example on the user terminal 800. The user launches a vehicle dispatch application on the user terminal 800 to make a vehicle dispatch reservation. Although not shown, the user sets the user's boarding location and disembarking location on the user terminal 800 and transmits this information to the vehicle dispatch device 100. The vehicle dispatch device 100 determines vehicle dispatch candidates and transmits them to the user terminal 800.

[0023] As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of candidate vehicle allocations are displayed on the output unit 850 of the user terminal 800. The first candidate vehicle allocation is an allocation in which there is no transfer involving only vehicle A, which is an engine vehicle. The second candidate vehicle allocation is an allocation in which there is a transfer from vehicle B, which is an BEV vehicle, to vehicle C (see FIG. 1). When the second candidate vehicle allocation with a transfer is selected, a discount amount of X1 yen is provided as an incentive. On the other hand, when the first candidate vehicle allocation without a transfer is selected, no incentive is provided.

[0024] For example, when the second vehicle allocation candidate is selected and the "Send" button is clicked, the user terminal 800 transmits information on the selected vehicle allocation candidate to the vehicle allocation device 100. As a result, the vehicle allocation device 100 determines the vehicle to be allocated and notifies the user terminal 800 of the determination result. For example, the output unit 850 of the user terminal 800 displays that vehicles B and C with transfers have been determined as the vehicles to be allocated. At that time, the output unit 850 displays that the discount amount as an incentive is X1 yen, and that the usage fee after deducting X1 yen is X2 yen.

[0025] 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the processing executed by the vehicle dispatch system 1. In S11, the user terminal 800 sets a boarding location and an alighting location. In S12, the user terminal 800 transmits a vehicle dispatch request (vehicle dispatch reservation) to the vehicle dispatch device 100. As a result, the boarding location and the alighting location are transmitted to the vehicle dispatch device 100.

[0026] Meanwhile, the dispatch device 100 receives a dispatch request (dispatch reservation) in S21. The dispatch device 100 determines a route to the drop-off location in S22. The dispatch device 100 determines one vehicle as a candidate for dispatch in S23. For example, the dispatch device 100 selects a vehicle that is available and close to the boarding location from among multiple taxi vehicles 10, and assigns one of the vehicles as a candidate for dispatch.

[0027] The vehicle dispatching device 100 proceeds to S25 if the determined vehicle is a BEV vehicle (YES in S24), and proceeds to S30 if the determined vehicle is not a BEV vehicle (NO in S24). The vehicle dispatching device 100 proceeds to S26 if the cruising distance is less than the mileage (YES in S25), and proceeds to S30 if the cruising distance is greater than the mileage (NO in S25). If the vehicle determined in S23 is a BEV vehicle and the cruising distance is less than the mileage, candidates for transfer of BEV vehicles are determined by the processes in and after S26.

[0028] On the other hand, if the vehicle determined in S23 is not a BEV vehicle, the vehicle is confirmed as the dispatched vehicle (S30). For example, a vehicle equipped with an engine such as vehicle A has a relatively long cruising distance, and the above-mentioned problems with BEV vehicles do not occur. Also, if the vehicle determined in S23 is a BEV vehicle but the cruising distance is greater than the driving distance, the vehicle is confirmed as the dispatched vehicle (S30). In this case, if the cruising distance is longer than the driving distance, a situation in which long-term charging is required along the way will not occur.

[0029] In S26, the dispatch device 100 determines dispatch candidates without transfers, dispatch candidates with transfers, and the discount amount thereof. At that time, the dispatch device 100 calculates the usage fee according to the distance from the boarding location to the disembarking location, etc. In the example of FIG. 2, a dispatch candidate without transfers involving only vehicle A, which is an engine vehicle, and a dispatch candidate with transfers from vehicle B, which is an BEV vehicle, to vehicle C are determined. When a dispatch candidate with transfers is selected, a discount amount of X1 yen is determined as an incentive.

[0030] The discount amount can be determined by taking into consideration the detour and time loss due to transfers. A detour due to transfers is, for example, a detour that occurs when vehicle B takes a detour to the waiting location of vehicle C when transferring from vehicle B to vehicle C. If vehicle C waits on the shortest route from the boarding location to the disembarking location, such a detour does not occur, but a detour due to transfers occurs, for example, in cases where there is a lot of traffic and waiting locations are limited, or where one has to take the trouble of getting off the expressway to head to the waiting location. The time loss refers to the time lost due to such a detour and the time lost required to transfer from vehicle B to vehicle C. The greater the detours and time loss, the higher the discount amount / discount rate should be.

[0031] In S27, the vehicle allocation device 100 transmits information on vehicle allocation candidates, etc. to the user terminal 800. In S13, the user terminal 800 displays information on vehicle allocation candidates, etc. In S14, the user terminal 800 transmits information on the selected vehicle to the vehicle allocation device 100. In the example of FIG. 2, a vehicle allocation candidate that requires a transfer from vehicle B to vehicle C is selected. A user who seeks an incentive can select a vehicle allocation candidate that requires a transfer, and a user who wants to avoid the hassle of transferring can select a vehicle allocation candidate that does not require a transfer.

[0032] On the other hand, if the user selects "with transfer" (YES in S28), the vehicle dispatching device 100 proceeds to S29, and if the user selects "without transfer" (NO in S28), the vehicle dispatching device 100 proceeds to S30. In S29, the vehicle dispatching device 100 determines whether to grant an incentive (discount). In this example, it is determined that a discount amount X1 is to be granted as the incentive.

[0033] The vehicle dispatching device 100 determines a vehicle to be dispatched in S30. In the above example, vehicles B and C are determined as vehicles to be dispatched. On the other hand, if the result of the process in S24 is NO (for example, if an engine vehicle is determined as a candidate in S23), or if the result of the process in S24 is NO (if a BEV vehicle with a cruising range > mileage is determined as a candidate), the candidate is determined as the vehicle to be dispatched as is.

[0034] In S31, the vehicle dispatch device 100 transmits information on the dispatched vehicle, etc. to the user terminal 800. In S15, the user terminal 800 displays the information on the dispatched vehicle, etc. In the example of Fig. 2, the user terminal 800 displays that vehicles B and C with transfers have been determined as dispatched vehicles, the discount amount is X1 yen, and the usage fee is X2 yen.

[0035] With the above-described configuration, a user seeking an incentive can select a candidate vehicle that involves a transfer between two electric vehicles, thereby preventing a decrease in the opportunities for using an electric vehicle as a dispatched vehicle. The vehicle service may be a ride-sharing service. The incentive for the user may be the awarding of points to the user.

[0036] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the embodiments described above, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 dispatch system, 10, 10a to 10c taxi vehicle, 11 battery, 12 ECU, 13 drive unit, 14 DCM, 15 HMI, 17 navigation device, 100 dispatch device, 110 CPU, 120 memory, 130 communication unit, 140 large-capacity storage device, 800 user terminal, 810 CPU, 820 memory, 830 communication unit, 840 input unit, 850 output unit.

Claims

[Claim 1] A vehicle dispatching device that dispatches a vehicle for transporting a user from a boarding location to a disembarking location by paying a fare, A calculation unit that determines a plurality of vehicle dispatch candidates including an incentive vehicle dispatch candidate that is selected by the user based on the vehicle dispatch reservation received from the user terminal used by the user; a communication unit that transmits the incentive determined by the calculation unit and the plurality of vehicle allocation candidates to the user terminal; The assigned vehicle dispatch candidates are a first vehicle dispatched to the boarding location and a second vehicle that travels to the disembarking location by transferring from the first vehicle, the first vehicle and the second vehicle are both electric vehicles that can be charged from a charging facility, A vehicle dispatching device, wherein the cruising distance of the first vehicle and the cruising distance of the second vehicle are both shorter than the driving distance from the boarding location to the disembarking location, and the sum of the cruising distance of the first vehicle and the cruising distance of the second vehicle is longer than the driving distance.

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