Key physical-distribution facility
The core logistics facility addresses the challenge of pedestrian-vehicle separation in facilities with autonomous trucks by integrating roadways, berths, warehouses, and traffic management systems, ensuring safe and efficient movement within the facility.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024096360
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-14
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-25
AI Technical Summary
There is a lack of effective pedestrian-vehicle separation in core logistics facilities connected to expressways, which serve as hubs for trunk transportation, especially when autonomous trucks are involved.
The core logistics facility design includes a roadway, berths, warehouses, multiple floors with common areas, elevators, crosswalks, traffic lights, and dedicated rampways, ensuring safe pedestrian-vehicle separation by integrating these elements to manage the movement of self-driving trucks.
The design achieves safe and efficient separation of pedestrians and vehicles within the facility, enhancing safety and convenience for employees while optimizing warehouse space and traffic flow.
Smart Images
Figure 2025187501000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a core logistics facility that handles trunk line transportation. [Background technology]
[0002] Various efforts are being made to realize Level 4 autonomous driving for large trucks (for example, Non-Patent Document 1). In addition, development has begun on next-generation logistics facilities with dedicated ramps directly connected to highway interchanges (see Non-Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]
[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, "RoAD to the L4 Autonomous Driving Level 4 and Other Advanced Mobility Services Research, Development and Social Implementation Project," [online], Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, [Retrieved May 16, 2024], Internet〈 URL: https: / / www.road-to-the-l4.go.jp / 〉 [Non-patent document 2] Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd., "Japan's first 'next-generation core logistics facility' directly connected to an expressway interchange development plan begins," [online], February 3, 2022, [Retrieved May 16, 2024], Internet <URL: https: / / www.mec.co.jp / news / archives / mec220203_logicross.pdf> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] Previously, there was no knowledge of how to appropriately separate pedestrians and vehicles when autonomous trucks were traveling within logistics facilities (hereinafter referred to as core logistics facilities) that were connected to expressways and served as hubs for trunk transportation.
[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a core logistics facility that can achieve pedestrian-vehicle separation suitable for when self-driving trucks travel within the core logistics facility. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The core logistics facility of the present disclosure includes a roadway, a berth adjacent to the roadway, a warehouse adjacent to the berth, multiple floors including a common area connected to the berth or warehouse, and an elevator that allows passengers to board and disembark from the common area and connects the floors.
[0007] One of the floors will include a crosswalk that crosses the roadway and connects common areas, as well as traffic lights that can be linked to autonomous trucks. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] According to the core logistics facility of the present disclosure, pedestrian and vehicle separation suitable for when self-driving trucks travel within the core logistics facility can be achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic plan view of the first floor of the core logistics facility of Example 1. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic plan view of the second floor of the core logistics facility of Example 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged schematic plan view of the second floor of the core logistics facility of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic plan view of the 3rd and 4th floors of the core logistics facility of Example 1. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic plan view of the 5th floor of the core logistics facility of Example 1. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic plan view of the 6th floor of the core logistics facility of Example 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the RF (rooftop floor) of the core logistics facility of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail. Note that components having the same functions are assigned the same numbers, and redundant explanations will be omitted.
[0011] The structure of the core logistics facility of Example 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7. As shown in Figures 1 to 7, the core logistics facility 1 of this example is composed of two skeletons. The clearance between the two skeletons, particularly in the roadway area, is assumed to be connected by an expansion joint. Hereinafter, the skeleton on the left side of the drawing will be referred to as the first skeleton, and the skeleton on the right side of the drawing will be referred to as the second skeleton.
[0012] The core logistics facility 1 of this embodiment may include floors of a first type, such as 6F shown in Figure 6, in which a roadway is located around the perimeter of the floor and berths (areas with vertical hatching) are located on both sides of a warehouse (area with dotted hatching); floors of a second type, such as 1-4F shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, in which a roadway is located in the center of the floor and berths and warehouses are located on both sides of the roadway; or floors consisting of a combination of the first and second types, such as 5F shown in Figure 5.
[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the lowest above-ground floor (1F) of the core logistics facility 1 of this embodiment is a second-type floor, with a roadway 10 located in the center, berths 11 located on both sides of the roadway 10, and warehouses 12 located further outside the berths 11 and on both sides of the roadway 10. A common area 20 is provided on the 1F, continuing to the berths 11 or warehouses 12 (the same applies to the other floors). The common area 20 includes passageways, toilets, changing rooms, and a backyard that can be used by employees (workers), as well as a convenience store, cafeteria, conference rooms, and the like. The 1F also includes an elevator 13 that can be used from the common area 20 and connects the floors (the same applies to the other floors).
[0014] Berth 11, warehouse 12, elevator 13, and common area 20 are indicated with different branch numbers according to the section in which they are located. Berth 11-1, warehouse 12-1, and common area 20-1 are located at the top of the drawing for the first structure, while berth 11-2, warehouse 12-2, common area 20-2, and common area 20-3 are located at the top of the drawing for the second structure. Berth 11-3, warehouse 12-3, and common area 20-4 are located at the bottom of the drawing for the first structure, while berth 11-4, warehouse 12-4, common area 20-5, and common area 20-6 are located at the bottom of the drawing for the second structure.
[0015] Common area 20-1 and elevator 13-1, which can be accessed from common area 20-1, are located adjacent to berth 11-1 and warehouse 12-1 on the left side of the drawing. Common area 20-2 and elevator 13-2, which can be accessed from common area 20-2, are located adjacent to berth 11-2 on the left side of the drawing. Common area 20-3 and elevator 13-3, which can be accessed from common area 20-3, are located adjacent to berth 11-2 and warehouse 12-2 on the right side of the drawing. Common area 20-4 and elevator 13-4, which can be accessed from common area 20-4, are located adjacent to berth 11-3 and warehouse 12-3 on the left side of the drawing. Common area 20-5 and elevator 13-5, which can be accessed from common area 20-5, are located adjacent to berth 11-4 and warehouse 12-4 on the left side of the drawing. Adjacent to the right side of berth 11-4 and warehouse 12-4 as viewed in the drawing are common area 20-6 and elevator 13-6, which can be accessed from common area 20-6.
[0016] Warehouses 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, and 12-4 are further divided into sections depending on the tenant and purpose, but we will not go into details here. Also, because the structure of 1F-4F and 5F-RF are different, the branch numbers of the warehouses and berths on 5F-RF do not strictly match, but we will not go into details here.
[0017] A rampway 14 connected to the roadway 10 is located at the left end of the first structure. The rampway 14 is a slope for vehicles to ascend to the upper floor. A rampway 15 connected to the roadway 10 is located at the right end of the second structure. The rampway 15 is a slope for vehicles to descend to the lower floor.
[0018] As shown in the figure, a bus stop 16 is located outside the building and within the site of the core logistics facility. The bus stop 16 is used as a stop for buses (an example of the route is shown by the dashed dotted line) that are mainly used from outside the facility for employees (workers) to commute to and from work, and for buses that circle the perimeter of the facility (an example of the route is shown by the dotted line). Details will be provided later, but in this example, the bus stop 16 is assumed to be a two-story structure.
[0019] As shown in the example of the dotted line route, by running buses around part of the perimeter of the facility, employees (workers) of the core logistics facility 1 can move from the side of warehouses 12-3 and 12-4 to the side of warehouses 12-1 and 12-2 without using roadway 10 (movement in the opposite direction is also possible), which is advantageous from the perspective of separating pedestrians and vehicles.
[0020] Buses that circle part of the perimeter of a facility have fixed routes and intervals, so it would be ideal to use autonomous buses. Depending on the number of employees (workers), minibuses may also be acceptable. Having multiple autonomous bus stops on the perimeter of the facility would be ideal from the perspective of employee (worker) convenience.
[0021] Next, we will explain the structure of the second floor of the core logistics facility 1 of this embodiment. The differences from the first floor are that a crosswalk used by employees (workers) crosses the roadway 10 and connects the common areas 20, and that outer corridors 28 are provided on the periphery of the north and south sides of the building.
[0022] The structure of the second floor of the core logistics facility 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 2 and 3. As shown in Figure 2, the second floor of the core logistics facility 1 is a second type floor like the first floor, with a roadway 10 located in the center, berths 11 located on both sides of the roadway 10, and warehouses 12 located further outside the berths 11 and on both sides of the roadway 10.
[0023] As mentioned above, bus stop 16 is a two-story structure, and employees (workers) who get off the bus can go up to the second floor of bus stop 16 and then travel towards warehouse 12-1 (12-2) via the route shown by the dotted line in the same diagram.
[0024] As shown by the dotted line in the figure, employees (workers) proceed through an outer corridor 28 that runs around the perimeter of the building to the common area 20-5 on the second floor. The common area 20-5 may also be equipped with a convenience store, cafeteria, conference rooms, restrooms, a gym, and so on. For example, as shown in the figure, an outer corridor 28 can also be installed in the clearance area between the two structures. Access to other elevators and other floors is facilitated through the outer corridor 28 and the common area 20, improving the safety and convenience of employees (workers) from the perspective of pedestrian and vehicle separation.
[0025] As shown by the dotted lines in Figure 3 (a partially enlarged view of Figure 2), employees (workers) proceed through the passageway in the common area 20-5 and onto stairs 22 (which can also be a ramp) facing the roadway 10. Due to the structure of the berth 11, the floor level of the roadway 10 is often lower than that of the warehouse 12. In this case, stairs 22 (or a ramp) are required for employees (workers) to pass through.
[0026] Employees (workers) go down the stairs 22 (or ramp), cross the crosswalk 23, and go up the stairs 22 (or ramp) on the opposite side to reach the common area 20-2.
[0027] It would be preferable from the viewpoint of employee (worker) safety if a traffic light 24 that can be linked with an autonomous truck is placed near the crosswalk 23.
[0028] In order to maximize warehouse space, common areas 20 are preferably located at the edge of the building, and therefore crosswalks 23 connecting common areas 20 are also located at the edge of the building. Furthermore, when a logistics facility is made up of multiple enclosures, as in this embodiment, expansion joints 27 are provided at the edge of the building, particularly in the roadway area. Therefore, crosswalks 23 are often provided in a position adjacent to expansion joints 27. Because berths 11 cannot be provided in expansion joints 27 and clearance areas, crosswalks 23 are unlikely to be in the shadow of trucks using the berth and provide good visibility from the roadway 10, which is considered preferable from the perspective of employee (worker) safety.
[0029] In this embodiment, the second floor of the core logistics facility 1 has a central roadway (second type) structure, and therefore the crosswalk 23 is provided for moving between berths or warehouses facing each other across the roadway 10. The location of the crosswalk 23 is not limited to this, and for example, the crosswalk 23 may be provided to cross any part of the roadway on a first type floor in which the roadway is located on the periphery of the floor.
[0030] In addition to the traffic light 24, traffic lights 25 and 26 may be installed in front of the rampways 14 and 15 to ensure safe vehicle travel. In this embodiment, a dedicated rampway 30 is installed on the RF (rooftop floor), and the dedicated rampway 30 directly connects the core logistics facility 1 to the expressway or the expressway interchange. As shown in Fig. 7, a mobility pool 31 used as a temporary pool for vehicles may also be installed on the RF (rooftop floor).
Claims
1. The road and a berth adjacent to the roadway; a warehouse adjacent to the berth; a plurality of floors including a common area continuous with the berth or the warehouse; An elevator that allows passengers to get on and off from the common area and connects the floors is included, Any one of the floors may include: A crosswalk that crosses the roadway and connects the common areas; Including traffic lights that can be linked to autonomous trucks Core logistics facility.
2. The core logistics facility according to claim 1, The floor is The floor may be a first type floor in which the roadway is arranged around the periphery of the floor and the berth and warehouse are arranged inside the floor, or a second type floor in which the roadway is arranged in the center of the floor and the berth and warehouse are arranged on both sides of the roadway, or a floor consisting of a combination of the first type and the second type, The floor on which the crosswalk is located is The second type of floor, The crosswalk is: A crosswalk for travel between the berths or warehouses on opposite sides of the roadway. Core logistics facility.
3. The core logistics facility according to claim 1, The core logistics facility is composed of multiple structures, The clearance between multiple structures is connected by expansion joints, The crosswalk is Located adjacent to the expansion joint Core logistics facility.
4. The core logistics facility according to claim 1, the lowest floor on the ground level is a floor on which the roadway is arranged in the center and the berth and the warehouse are arranged on both sides of the roadway, The perimeter of the core logistics facility will include multiple stops for autonomous buses. Core logistics facility.
5. a plurality of floors including a driveway, a berth, a warehouse, and a common area connected to the berth or the warehouse; An elevator that allows passengers to get on and off from the common area and connects the floors is included, the lowest floor on the ground level is a floor on which the roadway is arranged in the center and the berth and the warehouse are arranged on both sides of the roadway, The facility will include multiple autonomous bus stops around its perimeter. Core logistics facility.
6. The core logistics facility according to claim 1, The floor including the crosswalk includes an outer corridor on its periphery. Core logistics facility.
7. The core logistics facility according to claim 6, The core logistics facility is composed of multiple structures, The outer corridor includes: Installed on the periphery and in the clearance between multiple structures Core logistics facility.