Boarding reservation system

Abstract

To lighten the mental burden on a wheelchair user who is to board a vehicle.SOLUTION: A boarding reservation system is adopted to a vehicle including a wheelchair boarding space in a cabin. The boarding reservation system comprises one or more processors. On receiving reservation request information including a desired boarding route and an allowable in-cabin crowding level from a person who desires to reserve a wheelchair boarding space, the one or more processors calculate an estimated in-cabin crowding level as an estimated value of the in-cabin crowding level in the desired boarding route based upon the current in-cabin crowding level and past data related to boarding and disembarking of passengers, and permits the person to make a reservation on condition that the estimated in-cabin crowding level is equal to or less than the allowable in-cabin crowding level.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a boarding reservation system for a vehicle that has a wheelchair boarding space in the passenger compartment. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle terminal mounted on a vehicle such as a bus operated by a public transportation system. The vehicle terminal determines whether to permit or deny boarding based on a boarding request from a user via a boarding management server, operation information, and the congestion status inside the vehicle. More specifically, if the boarding request includes a boarding status indicating one of wheelchair use, stroller use, accompanying a guide dog, and carrying large luggage, and the congestion status exceeds a threshold, the vehicle terminal determines to deny boarding. In other words, when the vehicle is heavily crowded, it is difficult for wheelchair users and other users to board and disembark, and the vehicle terminal determines to deny boarding.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a boarding reservation reception server that receives reservations for predetermined boarding spaces on a vehicle from user terminals. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-002281 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-065773 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The psychological tolerance level for the degree of congestion in the passenger compartment may differ for each wheelchair user boarding a vehicle. According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, boarding permission or denial is determined based on whether or not it is difficult for a wheelchair user to board or disembark. Therefore, even if the crowded situation makes a wheelchair user hesitant to board a vehicle, the boarding request is permitted as long as there are no physical obstacles to boarding or disembarking. As a result, wheelchair users may feel psychological stress when boarding a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A boarding reservation system according to the present disclosure is applied to a vehicle equipped with a wheelchair boarding space in the passenger compartment. The boarding reservation system includes one or more processors. When the one or more processors receive reservation request information from a reservation applicant seeking to reserve a wheelchair boarding space, the reservation request information includes a desired boarding section and an allowable cabin congestion level, the one or more processors calculate an estimated cabin congestion level, which is an estimate of the cabin congestion level for the desired boarding section, based on the current cabin congestion level and past data regarding passenger boarding and disembarking for the desired boarding section, and permit the reservation by the reservation applicant on the condition that the estimated cabin congestion level is equal to or lower than the allowable cabin congestion level. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, if the estimated cabin congestion level of the reservation applicant (wheelchair user)'s desired boarding section is equal to or lower than the allowable cabin congestion level of the reservation applicant, a wheelchair boarding space reservation is permitted, thereby reducing the psychological burden on wheelchair users when boarding a vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a boarding reservation system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a boarding reservation system for boarding assistance for wheelchair users. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in a boarding reservation system for boarding assistance for wheelchair users. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining an example of a method for calculating an estimated congestion level, and a specific example of a comparison between the estimated congestion level and the allowable congestion level for a desired boarding section. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the display and audio guidance of a wheelchair boarding space that is executed upon completion of a reservation. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the display of flow lines and audio guidance executed when a wheelchair user gets on and off the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] 1. Boarding reservation system 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a boarding reservation system 1 according to an embodiment. The boarding reservation system 1 manages boarding reservations for vehicles that have a wheelchair boarding space SP (see, for example, FIG. 5) in the passenger compartment. The vehicle referred to here is, for example, a passenger vehicle such as a bus or a train, or a ship.

[0011] The boarding reservation system 1 includes, for example, an autonomously driven vehicle 10, a data server 20, a reservation server 30, and a user terminal 40. The autonomously driven vehicle 10 is an example of the above-mentioned vehicle, and more specifically, is an autonomously driven bus. However, a vehicle equivalent to the above-mentioned example of the vehicle may also be a vehicle driven by a driver. The data server 20 and the reservation server 30 may be configured integrally.

[0012] The autonomously driven vehicle 10 (or simply the vehicle 10) includes a communication device 11, one or more processors 12 (or simply the processor 12), one or more storage devices 13 (or simply the storage devices 13), one or more camera sensors 14 (or simply the camera sensors 14), an illumination device 15, and an alarm device 16. The communication device 11 communicates with a data server 20 and a reservation server 30 via a communication network.

[0013] The processor 12 executes various processes (described below) related to assisting a wheelchair user in boarding the vehicle 10 (boarding assistance). Examples of the processor 12 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The processor 12 can also be called circuitry or processing circuitry. The same applies to the processors 22 and 32 (described below).

[0014] The storage device 13 stores various types of information. The programs for the processor 12 to execute the various processes described above may be stored in the storage device 13, or the programs may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, or may be provided via a network. Examples of the storage device 13 include volatile memory, non-volatile memory, HDD, SSD, etc. The same applies to the storage devices 23 and 33 described below.

[0015] The camera sensor 14 captures images of the interior of a passenger compartment 50 (see FIG. 5 ) of the vehicle 10. The illumination device 15 is a light source unit including, for example, a light-emitting element such as an LED, and is configured to be able to illuminate the interior of the passenger compartment 50 (more specifically, the floor of the passenger compartment 50) with light. The alarm device 16 is provided in the passenger compartment 50. The alarm device 16 may be, for example, a speaker that outputs audio guidance to passengers in the passenger compartment 50, or a buzzer that uses sound to provide an alarm.

[0016] The data server 20 manages the cabin interior information I0 acquired from the vehicle 10. More specifically, the data server 20 acquires and stores (accumulates) the cabin interior information I0 from, for example, a plurality of vehicles 10, and shares the accumulated cabin interior information I0 with the plurality of vehicles 10. Details of the cabin interior information I0 will be described later.

[0017] The data server 20 includes a communication device 21, one or more processors 22 (or simply processors 22), and one or more storage devices 23 (or simply storage devices 23). The communication device 21 communicates with the vehicle 10 via a communication network. The processor 22 executes various processes related to the management of the cabin information I0. The storage device 23 stores various information such as the cabin information I0. The functions of the data server 20 are realized by cooperation between the processor 22, which executes a management program, and the storage device 23. The management program may be stored in the storage device 13, may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, or may be provided via a network.

[0018] The reservation server 30 manages reservations for boarding the vehicle 10 from wheelchair users. The reservation server 30 includes a communication device 31, one or more processors 32 (or simply processor 32), and one or more storage devices 33 (or simply storage devices 33). The communication device 31 communicates with the vehicle 10 and the user terminal 40 via a communication network. The processor 32 executes various processes related to the management of boarding reservations. The storage device 33 stores various information received from wheelchair users, such as reservation request information I1 (described below). The functions of the reservation server 30 are realized by cooperation between the processor 32, which executes a management program, and the storage device 33. The management program may be stored in the storage device 33, may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, or may be provided via a network.

[0019] The user terminal 40 is a communication terminal operated by a wheelchair user who wishes to board the vehicle 10. An application related to boarding reservations for the vehicle 10 is installed in the user terminal 40. The user terminal 40 may be, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone carried by the wheelchair user. Alternatively, for example, if the vehicle 10 is an autonomous bus, the user terminal 40 may be a communication terminal installed at each bus stop.

[0020] 2. Boarding assistance for wheelchair users The psychological tolerance level for the cabin congestion degree X may differ for each wheelchair user boarding a vehicle such as the vehicle 10. In this embodiment, in order to provide the wheelchair user with boarding assistance that can appropriately reduce the psychological burden when using a vehicle, the boarding reservation system 1 executes the following process, which will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. In the example described below, the process is executed by the processors 12, 22, and 32 of the vehicle 10, the data server 20, and the reservation server 30, respectively, in cooperation with each other.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the boarding reservation system 1 related to boarding assistance for wheelchair users. Specifically, boarding assistance for wheelchair users includes management of boarding reservations for wheelchair users (more specifically, reservations for wheelchair boarding spaces SP) and assistance for wheelchair users getting on and off. As functional blocks related to the management of boarding reservations and boarding assistance, the vehicle 10 includes an interior recognition unit 10A, a congestion estimation unit 10B, a determination unit 10C, a display unit 10D, and an alarm unit 10E. The data server 20 includes a management unit 20A. The reservation server 30 includes a reservation unit 30A and a notification unit 30B. These functional blocks are realized in software when the above-mentioned various programs are executed by the processors 12, 22, and 32, respectively.

[0022] 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the boarding reservation system 1 regarding boarding assistance for wheelchair users. Here, the description will be given using the vehicle 10, which is an autonomous driving bus, as an example.

[0023] In step S100, the reservation unit 30A determines whether or not reservation request information I1 has been received from a wheelchair user (reservation seeker) who wishes to reserve a wheelchair boarding space SP (or simply "space SP") of the vehicle 10.

[0024] Specifically, the reservation unit 30A accepts reservations for space SP from wheelchair users. A wheelchair user wishing to reserve space SP operates the user terminal 40 to send reservation request information I1 to the reservation server 30. The reservation request information I1 includes the wheelchair user's desired boarding section and allowable cabin congestion Xa. That is, the wheelchair user reserves space SP by specifying the desired boarding section and allowable cabin congestion Xa. More specifically, the allowable cabin congestion Xa (or simply "allowable congestion Xa") corresponds to the upper limit of the cabin congestion X that the wheelchair user is willing to tolerate (in other words, the allowable limit congestion).

[0025] More specifically, as an example, the cabin congestion degree X is expressed as a level of 1 to 3 (see FIG. 4). For example, if the vacancy rate in cabin 50 is higher than 60%, the cabin congestion degree X is treated as level 1. If the vacancy rate is 30% or more and 60% or less, the cabin congestion degree X is treated as level 2. If the vacancy rate is less than 30%, the cabin congestion degree X is treated as level 3. In an example where such a level display is used, a wheelchair user operates user terminal 40 to select an allowable congestion degree Xa from levels 1 to 3.

[0026] If the reservation unit 30A receives the reservation request information I1 (step S100; Yes), the process proceeds to step S102. In step S102, the vehicle interior recognition unit 10A calculates the current passenger compartment congestion level X0 (or simply "current passenger compartment congestion level X0"), which is the current value of the passenger compartment congestion level X.

[0027] The current congestion level X0 can be calculated, for example, as follows. That is, the interior recognition unit 10A detects the number of passengers N1 and the number of large pieces of luggage N2 in the passenger compartment 50 based on images captured by the camera sensor 14. The large pieces of luggage here refer to passenger baggage that may be placed at the feet of passengers and obstruct wheelchair users. The interior recognition unit 10A calculates the current congestion level X0 so that it increases as the detected number of passengers N1 increases. Similarly, the interior recognition unit 10A may calculate the current congestion level X0 so that it increases as the detected number of large pieces of luggage N2 increases. When the passenger compartment congestion level X is displayed as a level, for example, a numerical value from 1 to 3 as described above, the current congestion level X0 is also displayed as a level according to the vacancy rate.

[0028] Then, the interior recognition unit 10A transmits (uploads) the detection results (number of passengers N1 and number of large baggage N2) and the calculation results (current congestion level X0) to the data server 20. The management unit 20A of the data server 20 stores the detection results and calculation results received from the vehicle 10 in the storage device 23. The current congestion level X0 is included in the above-mentioned interior information I0 together with past data on the number of passengers getting on and off at each stop of the vehicle 10 (e.g., each bus stop). The past data is an example of "past data on passenger boarding and alighting" at each stop, and is collected, for example, from multiple vehicles 10 that communicate with the data server 20. In addition, the number of passengers N1 included in the above-mentioned detection results may be used to acquire the past data. The past data may be stored, for example, by day of the week and / or by time period.

[0029] In step S104 following step S102, the congestion estimation unit 10B calculates an estimated cabin congestion degree Xe (or simply "estimated congestion degree Xe"). The estimated congestion degree Xe is an estimated value of the cabin congestion degree X of the wheelchair user's desired boarding section (i.e., future).

[0030] 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for calculating the estimated congestion level Xe. FIG. 4A shows the relationship between the passenger compartment congestion level X (indicated as a level) and time (the time during which the vehicle 10 is in operation).

[0031] The congestion estimation unit 10B calculates, for example, an estimated congestion degree Xe for each bus stop of the vehicle 10. For this calculation, the congestion estimation unit 10B uses the current congestion degree X0 calculated in step S102 and past data on the number of passengers getting on and off at each bus stop included in the wheelchair user's desired boarding section. The congestion estimation unit 10B requests the data server 20 to transmit the current congestion degree X0 and the past data (in-cabin information I0). In the example shown in FIG. 4(A), the time t1 when the vehicle 10 passes bus stop A corresponds to the time when the reservation request information I1 is received (i.e., the time when the current congestion degree X0 is calculated). For example, if the desired boarding section is the section from bus stop B to bus stop D, the management unit 20A of the data server 20 transmits past data on the number of passengers getting on and off at each bus stop B, C, and D to the vehicle 10 along with the current congestion degree X0. The acquisition of past data may be performed by, for example, specifying past data for the day of the week and / or time period when a wheelchair user requests a boarding reservation.

[0032] In calculating the estimated congestion level XeB at time t2 when bus stop B will pass in the future, past data on the number of passengers getting on and off at bus stop B is used to estimate the number of passengers getting on and off at time t2 (i.e., in the future). For example, when the vacancy rate corresponding to the number of passengers N1, which was the basis for calculating the current congestion level X0 at bus stop A, is reflected in the past data on the number of passengers getting on and off at bus stop B, and the vacancy rate changes from a range of 30% to 60% to a range higher than 60%, the congestion estimation unit 10B calculates the estimated congestion level XeB as level 3 (see FIG. 4(A)).

[0033] Similarly, in calculating the estimated congestion level XeC at time t3 when bus stop C will pass in the future, past data on the number of passengers getting on and off at bus stops B and C is reflected in relation to the current congestion level X0 at bus stop A. As a result, in the example shown in FIG. 4(A), the estimated congestion level XeC is calculated as level 1 in response to the change in the vacancy rate to a range of less than 30%. Similarly, in calculating the estimated congestion level XeD at time t4 when bus stop D will pass in the future, past data on the number of passengers getting on and off at bus stops B, C, and D is reflected in relation to the current congestion level X0 at bus stop A. As a result, in the example shown in FIG. 4(A), the estimated congestion level XeD is calculated as level 1 in response to the change in the vacancy rate to a range of less than 30%.

[0034] In the example of the calculation method described above, when reservation request information I1 is received from a wheelchair user (step S100; Yes), the current congestion level X0 is calculated (step S102), and then each estimated congestion level Xe for the desired boarding section is calculated based on the calculated current congestion level X0 and past data (step S104). Alternatively, regardless of receiving reservation request information I1, the in-vehicle recognition unit 10A may calculate the current congestion level X0 each time the vehicle 10 passes each stop. Then, each time the vehicle 10 passes each stop, the congestion estimation unit 10B may calculate the estimated congestion levels Xe for a predetermined number of stops located ahead of the stop for which the latest value of the current congestion level X0 was calculated, based on the latest value of the current congestion level X0 and past data for the predetermined number of stops. Then, when receiving the reservation request information I1, the congestion estimation unit 10B may obtain the estimated congestion degree Xe at each stop included in the desired boarding section from the calculation results of the estimated congestion degree Xe for the latest predetermined number of stops.

[0035] In step S106 following step S104, the determination unit 10C determines whether the estimated congestion level Xe of the desired boarding section is equal to or less than the allowable congestion level Xa included in the reservation request information 11. More specifically, for example, it is determined whether the estimated congestion levels Xe at all of the stops included in the desired boarding section are equal to or less than the allowable congestion level Xa.

[0036] As a result, if the condition (reservation permission condition) that the estimated congestion level Xe is equal to or less than the allowable congestion level Xa is met (step S106; Yes), the determination unit 10C permits the wheelchair user (reservation seeker) to reserve the space SP and notifies the notification unit 30B of information indicating that the reservation has been permitted (step S108). In the reservation server 30 that has received the notification, the reservation unit 30A registers information regarding the wheelchair user's reservation of the space SP in the reservation management database stored in the storage device 33. Then, the notification unit 30B notifies the wheelchair user via the user terminal 40 that the reservation of the space SP has been completed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S112.

[0037] On the other hand, if the reservation permission condition is not satisfied (step S106; No), the determination unit 10C disallows the reservation of the space SP and notifies the notification unit 30B of information indicating that the reservation is not permitted (step S110). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S116.

[0038] Fig. 4(B) is a diagram for explaining a specific example of a comparison between the estimated congestion level Xe and the allowable congestion level Xa for the desired boarding section. Fig. 4(B) shows, as an example, the numerical values ​​of the estimated congestion levels XeB, XeC, and XeD that are the same as those shown in Fig. 4(A).

[0039] In the first example EX1, the desired boarding section is the section CD from bus stop C to bus stop D, and the allowable congestion level Xa is 1. As a result, the condition (reservation permission condition) that the estimated congestion level Xe is equal to or less than the allowable congestion level Xa at each of bus stops C and D is met. Therefore, in example EX1, the reservation of space SP is permitted.

[0040] In the second example EX2, the desired boarding section is the section BD from bus stop B to bus stop D, and the allowable congestion level Xa is 2. As a result, the reservation permission condition is met at bus stop B, but not at bus stops C and D. Therefore, in example EX2, reservation of space SP is not permitted.

[0041] The process of step S112 is executed by the display unit 10D and the notification unit 10E after the reservation of the space SP is completed (step S108). That is, in step S112, the display unit 10D controls the illumination device 15 to illuminate the space SP. The notification unit 10E also controls the notification device 16 to notify the passengers in the cabin 50 that the space SP will be used, for example, by using audio guidance.

[0042] 5(A) and 5(B) are diagrams for explaining the display and audio guidance of the space SP that is executed upon completion of the reservation.

[0043] FIG. 5(A) shows an example of the state of the passenger compartment 50 of the vehicle 10 when a reservation for the space SP has not been made (when no reservation has been made). In this example, three passengers 53, 54, and 55 are on board the passenger compartment 50, which has an entrance / exit 51 and six seats 52. The passengers 53, 54, and 55 have large pieces of luggage 56, 57, and 58 at their feet, respectively. The large pieces of luggage 56 and 57 are placed so as to block part of the space SP. Furthermore, the large piece of luggage 58 is placed so as to obstruct the flow line ML of the wheelchair user.

[0044] FIG. 5B shows an example of the state of the guest room 50 after the reservation of the space SP is completed (space reserved). By executing the process of step S112, the space SP is displayed using the illumination device 15 (in other words, the space SP is visualized using a light source). Additionally, the display of the space SP may also include the display of the word "reserved" as shown in FIG. 5B. Furthermore, audio guidance is provided using the notification device 16. The audio guidance message may be, for example, "Wheelchair user boarding / deboarding. Please do not leave luggage in the wheelchair boarding space." Furthermore, FIG. 5B shows large luggage 56 and 57 that have been moved so as not to block the space SP in response to the display and audio guidance of the space SP. The process of step S112 can assist in reserving the space SP for a wheelchair user.

[0045] The process of step S114 following step S112 is also executed by the display unit 10D and the notification unit 10E. That is, in step S114, the display unit 10D controls the illumination device 15 to illuminate light for displaying the flow line ML of the wheelchair user when getting on and off. The notification unit 10E also controls the notification device 16 to notify passengers in the cabin 50 that a wheelchair user is getting on and off, for example, by using audio guidance.

[0046] 6 is a diagram for explaining the display of the flow line ML and the audio guidance executed when a wheelchair user gets on and off. The display of the flow line ML and the notification to passengers by the processing of step S114 are executed (started) "when the wheelchair user gets on to the vehicle 10" and "when the wheelchair user gets off from the vehicle 10." More specifically, an example of "when the wheelchair user gets on to the vehicle 10" is "when the vehicle 10 passes the stop immediately before the start point of the wheelchair user's reserved boarding section (in other words, the stop where the wheelchair user gets on)." Similarly, an example of "when the wheelchair user gets off from the vehicle 10" is "when the vehicle 10 passes the stop immediately before the end point of the wheelchair user's reserved boarding section (in other words, the stop where the wheelchair user gets off)."

[0047] FIG. 6 shows an example of the state of the passenger compartment 50 before the arrival at the bus stop where the wheelchair user boards the vehicle 10. By executing the process of step S114 "as the vehicle 10 passes the bus stop immediately before the start point of the wheelchair user's reserved boarding section," the flow line ML is displayed using the illumination device 15 (in other words, the flow line ML is visualized using a light source) (corresponding to an example of "first illumination" according to the present disclosure). More specifically, when the wheelchair user boards the vehicle 10, the flow line ML corresponds to the flow line of the wheelchair user for the section from the entrance / exit 51 (an example of an entrance to the vehicle 10) to the space SP. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the space SP is also displayed by the process of step S112 described above (corresponding to an example of "first illumination" according to the present disclosure). The display of the flow line ML and the space SP thus executed is terminated, for example, when the wheelchair user has completed boarding the space SP. Unlike the example shown in FIG. 6, the display that is performed when the wheelchair user boards the vehicle 10 may be only one of the flow line ML and the space SP.

[0048] 6, voice guidance is provided by the notification device 16 through the processing of step S114 (corresponding to an example of a "first notification" according to the present disclosure). The message of the voice guidance is, for example, "A wheelchair user is boarding or disembarking. Please do not place luggage in the wheelchair boarding space or in the traffic flow." In addition, the voice guidance for reserving the space SP through the processing of step S112 is terminated, for example, when the display of the traffic flow ML is started through the processing of step S114, and is replaced by the voice guidance through the processing of step S114. The voice guidance through the processing of step S114 is terminated, for example, when the wheelchair user has completed boarding the space SP.

[0049] In addition, FIG. 6 shows large baggage 58 that has been moved by passenger 55 in response to the display and audio guidance of flow line ML in the process of step S114 so as not to obstruct flow line ML.

[0050] Although not shown here, the execution of the process of step S114 "when the vehicle 10 passes the bus stop immediately before the end of the wheelchair user's reserved boarding section" also results in the display of the flow line ML and audio guidance similar to those shown in FIG. 6 (corresponding to examples of "second illumination" and "second notification" according to the present disclosure, respectively). More specifically, when the wheelchair user disembarks from the vehicle 10, the flow line ML corresponds to the flow line of the wheelchair user for the section from the space SP to the entrance / exit 51 (an example of an exit for the vehicle 10). The display of the flow line ML and audio guidance executed in this manner are terminated, for example, when the wheelchair user has completely disembarked from the vehicle 10.

[0051] On the other hand, the process of step S116 is executed by the notification unit 30B after the notification that the reservation of the space SP is not permitted (step S1108). That is, in step S116, the notification unit 30B proposes to the wheelchair user to reserve another vehicle 10 via the user terminal 40. More specifically, this proposal may include searching for another vehicle 10 that satisfies the above reservation permission conditions based on the wheelchair user's desired boarding section and the allowable congestion level Xa, and presenting the found vehicle 10 if the other vehicle 10 is found.

[0052] 3.Effects As described above, according to the boarding reservation system 1 of this embodiment, if the estimated congestion level Xe of the boarding section desired by the reservation seeker (wheelchair user) is equal to or lower than the allowable congestion level Xa of the reservation seeker, the reservation of the wheelchair boarding space SP is permitted. This reduces the psychological burden on the wheelchair user when boarding the vehicle 10.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a reservation seeker (wheelchair user) boards the vehicle 10, light is emitted (first illumination) to display the flow line ML and the space SP, and a notification (first notification) is made that the wheelchair user will be boarding. This makes it possible to support the wheelchair user's smooth boarding into the space SP. In other words, the burden on the wheelchair user when boarding is reduced.

[0054] More specifically, in this embodiment, the first illumination and the first notification are initiated when the vehicle 10 passes the stop immediately before the start of the wheelchair user's reserved boarding section. This allows passengers in the passenger cabin 50 ample time to accommodate the boarding of the wheelchair user (e.g., by moving large luggage), compared to an example in which the first illumination and the first notification are initiated when the vehicle 10 arrives at the stop where the wheelchair user boards. This more effectively supports smooth boarding of the wheelchair user. Furthermore, if the first illumination and the first notification are initiated earlier than the passage of the immediately preceding stop, unnecessary first illumination and first notification will be provided to passengers unrelated to the boarding of the wheelchair user, such as passengers disembarking at the immediately preceding stop. In contrast, by initiating the first illumination and the first notification when the vehicle 10 passes the immediately preceding stop, such unnecessary first illumination and first notification can be avoided.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a reservation seeker (wheelchair user) gets off the vehicle 10, light is emitted (second illumination) to display the flow line ML, and a notification (second notification) is made that the wheelchair user is getting off. This makes it possible to support the wheelchair user in getting off the space SP smoothly. In other words, the burden on the wheelchair user when getting off the vehicle is reduced.

[0056] More specifically, in this embodiment, the second illumination and second notification are initiated when the vehicle 10 passes the stop immediately before the end of the wheelchair user's reserved boarding section. This makes it possible to more effectively support the wheelchair user in getting off the vehicle smoothly, for the same reasons as in the above-mentioned example of the timing at which the first illumination and first notification are initiated, and also makes it possible to avoid unnecessary second illumination and second notification. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1 Boarding reservation system, 10 Autonomous driving vehicle (vehicle), 10A In-vehicle recognition unit, 10B Congestion estimation unit, 10C Determination unit, 10D Display unit, 10E Notification unit, 11, 21, 31 Communication device, 12, 22, 32 Processor, 13, 23, 33 Storage device, 14 Camera sensor, 15 Illumination device, 16 Notification device, 20 Data server, 20A Management unit, 30 Reservation server, 30A Reservation unit, 30B Notification unit, 40 User terminal, 50 Guest room, 51 Entrance / exit, 52 Seat, 53, 54, 55 Passenger, 56, 57, 58 Large luggage

Claims

1. A boarding reservation system for a vehicle having a wheelchair boarding space in a passenger compartment, one or more processors; the one or more processors: When receiving reservation request information including a desired boarding section and an allowable cabin congestion level from a reservation applicant who wishes to reserve the wheelchair boarding space, calculate an estimated cabin congestion level, which is an estimate of the cabin congestion level for the desired boarding section, based on the current cabin congestion level and past data regarding passenger boarding and disembarking for the desired boarding section; The reservation of the reservation requester is permitted on the condition that the estimated room congestion level is equal to or less than the allowable room congestion level. Boarding reservation system.

2. 2. The boarding reservation system according to claim 1, the vehicle includes an illumination device that illuminates light into the passenger compartment, and an alarm device that is provided in the passenger compartment; When the reservation seeker boards the vehicle, the one or more processors control the illumination device to perform a first illumination that illuminates light for displaying at least one of a flow line from an entrance of the vehicle to the wheelchair boarding space and the wheelchair boarding space, and control the notification device to perform a first notification that notifies passengers in the cabin that the wheelchair user who is the reservation seeker will be boarding. Boarding reservation system.

3. 3. The boarding reservation system according to claim 1 or 2, the vehicle includes an illumination device that illuminates light into the passenger compartment, and an alarm device that is provided in the passenger compartment; When the reservation seeker gets off the vehicle, the one or more processors control the illumination device to perform a second illumination that illuminates light for displaying a path of travel from the wheelchair boarding space to the exit of the vehicle, and control the notification device to perform a second notification that notifies passengers in the cabin that the wheelchair user who is the reservation seeker is getting off. Boarding reservation system.

4. 3. The boarding reservation system according to claim 2, The one or more processors control the illumination device to start the first illumination when the vehicle passes a stop immediately before the start point of the reserved boarding section of the reservation seeker, and control the alarm device to start the first alarm. Boarding reservation system.

5. 4. The boarding reservation system according to claim 3, The one or more processors control the illumination device to start the second illumination when the vehicle passes a stop immediately before the end of the reserved boarding section of the reservation seeker, and control the alarm device to start the second alarm. Boarding reservation system.

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