Vehicle dispatch management device and vehicle dispatch management method

Abstract

This will allow customers who have requested a ride to easily confirm the vehicle that has arrived at their pickup location. [Solution] The present invention is a vehicle dispatch management system that dispatches vehicles in response to a user's dispatch request. The system comprises a dispatch planning unit that creates a dispatch plan for vehicles selected based on the dispatch request and issues dispatch instructions to the vehicles based on the created dispatch plan; a vehicle location information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle location information relating to the vehicles; a user location information acquisition unit that acquires user location information relating to the users; and a vehicle control unit that performs predetermined control on predetermined parts of the vehicles. The vehicle control unit determines, based on the vehicle location information and the user location information, that the vehicle that has arrived at the boarding point in accordance with the dispatch request and the user are located within a predetermined proximity range, and performs control on the predetermined parts of the vehicle so that the user recognizes that the vehicle is available for boarding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle allocation management device and a vehicle allocation management method.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of a mobility service, there is known a service in which a guardian arranges a vehicle for the pick-up and drop-off of a protected person such as a child. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technology for improving the convenience for a customer's pick-up request by receiving pick-up request information input from a customer's mobile terminal, generating a pick-up designated location based on the pick-up location information included in the pick-up request information, and when an operation corresponding to the pick-up request for the pick-up designated location is performed, sending pick-up available information including vehicle identification information to the mobile terminal by email.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1 above, a customer (user) who has requested a pick-up has to confirm whether a vehicle approaching the pick-up designated location is the vehicle allocated for the pick-up request, for example, by checking vehicle identification information such as the vehicle type, company name, and license plate number, which is by no means easy, and is even less easy in a situation with poor visibility such as at night and / or in the rain. In particular, in a situation such as when picking up a child from a cram school, vehicles for pick-up requests may gather at the pick-up designated location, and it is difficult for the child to recognize which vehicle is for them, which hinders smooth boarding and reduces the transportation efficiency in the vehicle allocation service.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a technology that allows customers who have requested a ride to easily confirm the vehicle that has arrived at their pick-up location. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention, which solves the above problems, is comprised of the following inventive features or technical characteristics.

[0007] According to a certain perspective, the present invention is a vehicle dispatch management system that dispatches vehicles in response to a user's dispatch request. The vehicle dispatch management system comprises: a dispatch planning unit that creates a dispatch plan for vehicles selected based on the dispatch request and issues dispatch instructions to the vehicles based on the created dispatch plan; a vehicle location information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle location information relating to the vehicles; a user location information acquisition unit that acquires user location information relating to the users; and a vehicle control unit that performs predetermined control on predetermined parts of the vehicles. The vehicle control unit, based on the vehicle location information and the user location information, determines that the vehicle that has arrived at the boarding point in accordance with the dispatch request and the user are located within a predetermined proximity range, and performs control on the predetermined parts to make the user aware that the vehicle is available for boarding.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention also constitutes a dispatch management method using a dispatch management device that manages vehicle dispatch in response to dispatch requests, a computer program for executing the method, and a recording medium that non-temporarily stores the same. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, customers who have requested a pick-up (dispatch) can easily confirm when a vehicle has arrived at or is about to arrive at the designated pick-up location.

[0010] Other technical features, objectives, and effects or advantages of the present invention will be illustrated by the following embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The effects described herein are illustrative and not limiting, and other effects may also occur. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a dispatch management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration model of a dispatch management device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing related to dispatch requests in a dispatch management device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of passenger handling processing in a dispatch management device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are merely illustrative, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications or applications of techniques not explicitly stated below. The present invention can be implemented by various modifications (for example, by combining each embodiment) without departing from its spirit. In the following drawings, identical or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. The drawings are schematic and do not necessarily correspond to actual dimensions or proportions. There may be parts in the drawings where the dimensional relationships and proportions differ from those of other parts.

[0013] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a dispatch management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the dispatch management system 1 includes a dispatch management device 10, an information and communication terminal device 20, and vehicles V, which are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network N. The dispatch management system 1 may also be connected via the communication network N to a road traffic information management system 30 that provides various traffic information in real time. The dispatch management system 1 provides, for example, a dispatch service using multiple vehicles V in response to a user's dispatch request for a certain area. In this disclosure, the vehicles V may be manned vehicles driven by a driver, or unmanned (autonomous) vehicles without a driver.

[0014] The dispatch management device 10 is a computing device that comprehensively manages the dispatch service using multiple vehicles V within the service area. The service area may be divided into several areas (sub-areas). The dispatch management device 10 implements, for example, a dispatch management server program and realizes the dispatch service by executing the dispatch management server program under the control of a processor. In particular, the dispatch management server program of this disclosure includes a subprogram or module that controls a predetermined part of vehicle V so that the user is aware that vehicle V is available for boarding when it is determined that the vehicle V and the user are within a predetermined proximity range when the vehicle V has arrived at or is about to arrive at a stop (boarding point) for the user to board vehicle V based on a dispatch request.

[0015] The dispatch management device 10 includes various databases 12 for storing and managing data necessary to realize such dispatch services. The databases 12 may include, for example, a user information database 12a, a road map information database 12b, a vehicle information database 12c, and a dispatch plan database 12d (see Figure 2). The databases 12 may be configured as part of the dispatch management device 10, or all or part of them may be configured separately from the dispatch management device 10.

[0016] In general, the dispatch management device 10 receives dispatch requests from users who wish to be dispatched for travel to their destination, determines the travel route to the destination based on the received dispatch request, and, by referring to the vehicle information database 12c, selects a vehicle V to be assigned to the user from among multiple vehicles V, creates a dispatch plan, and proposes the created dispatch plan to the user. The dispatch management device 10 confirms the dispatch plan upon the user's acceptance of the proposed dispatch plan and issues dispatch instructions to the vehicle V in accordance with the confirmed dispatch plan.

[0017] The dispatch plan includes the route of vehicle V, defined from the vehicle's current location (e.g., a starting waiting area) to a final waiting area (not necessarily the same as the initial waiting area), passing through several points (stops) along the way where users board and alight. If vehicle V is waiting for a dispatch request, a new dispatch plan is created based on the received dispatch request. If vehicle V is currently operating with users on board, the dispatch plan may be updated based on the dispatch request.

[0018] In this disclosure, the dispatch management device 10 controls vehicle V so that when a user approaches vehicle V that has arrived at a bus stop, the user is aware that the vehicle is available for boarding. Under the control of the dispatch management device 10, vehicle V is controlled to illuminate and / or flash indicator lights, such as interior lights and boarding / alighting guidance lights. Boarding / alighting guidance lights are lights that illuminate the user's feet when boarding or alighting.

[0019] Vehicle V is a vehicle registered in the vehicle information database 12c that is made available for use by users in the ride-hailing service. Vehicle V may be a manned vehicle driven by a driver, or it may be an unmanned (autonomous) vehicle without a driver, regardless of its level of automation.

[0020] The vehicle V includes a control device CTL that controls the vehicle V itself or its on-vehicle equipment (see FIG. 2). Although not shown, the control device CTL includes a processor, a memory, etc., and realizes various functions by executing a vehicle control program. Further, the control device CTL can acquire in real time the geographical position information (vehicle position information) of the vehicle V by a positioning system such as GPS, use the acquired vehicle position information for a navigation function, and transmit it to the vehicle dispatch management device 10. Also, under the control of the control device CTL, the vehicle V acquires the driving management information necessary for driving from various sensors and transmits this to the vehicle dispatch management device 10. The vehicle dispatch management device 10 can remotely monitor and control the driving of the vehicle V according to the driving management information transmitted from the vehicle V. The driving management information includes, for example, video / audio information around the vehicle V by a camera / microphone, spatial recognition information (point cloud information) by a spatial recognition sensor such as LiDAR and RADAR, geographical position information of the vehicle V by a GPS system, and state information by a state monitoring sensor that monitors the states of the vehicle V, each device, and each part, etc.

[0021] Furthermore, the control device CTL can control the operation of a predetermined part of the vehicle V under the control of the dispatch management device 10. In this sense, the control device CTL functions as a vehicle control unit as referred to in this disclosure. For example, if the control device CTL determines that the vehicle V that has arrived at the boarding point and the user are within a predetermined proximity range, it may control the lighting unit (not shown) of the vehicle V to turn on and / or flash. This allows the user to easily recognize and confirm the vehicle V to board at the boarding point. The lighting unit includes, for example, headlights, roof indicator lights (lanterns), interior lighting, and boarding / alighting guidance lights. Boarding / alighting guidance lights are lights that illuminate below the boarding / alighting doors of the vehicle V to facilitate boarding and alighting for the user. In particular, at night, it is difficult to see the user's feet, so turning on and / or flashing the boarding / alighting guidance lights allows the user to recognize the vehicle V to board and board safely. The control device CTL may also control the illuminance or intensity of the light from the lighting unit to increase as the distance between the vehicle V and the user decreases. This ensures that the user can reliably identify the vehicle V they should board. Alternatively, the control unit CTL may control the vehicle V's human-machine interface (HMI) to display that a specific user (the user who made the ride request) is available to board. This ensures that the user can reliably confirm the vehicle V they should board at the boarding location.

[0022] The information communication terminal device 20 is, for example, a computing device for a user who intends to arrange a vehicle to perform a vehicle allocation request by operating a user interface. The information communication terminal device 20 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a notebook personal computer, a desktop computer, etc., but is not limited thereto. The information communication terminal device 20 implements, for example, a vehicle allocation management client program (so-called vehicle allocation app). The information communication terminal device 20 typically has a positioning function of acquiring its own geographical position information in real time by a positioning system such as GPS. Under the control of a processor, the information communication terminal device 20 enables the user to use the vehicle allocation service of the vehicle allocation management device 10 by executing the vehicle allocation app. During the execution of the vehicle allocation app, the information communication terminal device 20 transmits the position information acquired from the positioning system as user position information to the vehicle allocation management device 10.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration model of a vehicle allocation management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the vehicle allocation management device 10 can be configured as a functional configuration model including functional configuration elements such as, for example, a front-end processing unit 110, a vehicle allocation planning unit 120, a vehicle monitoring control unit 130, and a vehicle communication unit 140. The vehicle allocation management device 10 is configured to be able to access various databases 12. Such a functional model is realized by the vehicle allocation management device 10 executing a vehicle allocation management server program under the control of a processor and thereby cooperating with various hardware resources. The functional configuration model shown here is an example, and all or part of the functions in a certain functional configuration element may be realized by other functional configuration elements.

[0024] The user information database 12a stores information about users who use the ride-hailing service (hereinafter referred to as "user information"). User information includes, for example, the user's user ID and password, email address, personal attributes (gender, age, and address, etc.), and usage history. User information is registered in the user information database 12a under the control of the ride-hailing management device 10 when the user enters predetermined information, for example, when the ride-hailing app is first launched.

[0025] The road map information database 12b stores road map information for the service area of ​​the ride-hailing service. The road map information includes, for example, map data related to addresses, place names, road networks (links and nodes), pick-up and drop-off locations (bus stops), and various facilities (e.g., cram schools and extracurricular activity facilities). The road map information also includes information necessary for searching for a driving route, such as road information, feature information, and environmental information. The road information includes, for example, road type such as local roads and main roads, and road attribute information such as road width, pedestrian / vehicle separation, median strip, and lanes. The road map information is used, for example, to determine the driving route of vehicle V indicated in the ride-hailing plan.

[0026] The vehicle information database 12c stores information about the vehicle V provided for use by the user (vehicle information). The vehicle information includes information such as vehicle ID, vehicle attributes (vehicle registration number, vehicle type, and maximum passenger capacity / maximum load capacity, level of automation, etc.), vehicle characteristics, other specifications (overall length, overall width, vehicle height, and weight, as well as specifications of the in-vehicle user interface, etc.), current dispatch plan, current location, and current status (service status, battery capacity (driving range), and number of passengers, etc.). The vehicle information is used, for example, to select the optimal vehicle V to dispatch to the user.

[0027] The dispatch plan database 12d stores the dispatch plan for each vehicle V, which is created by the dispatch plan unit 120 based on the dispatch request. The dispatch plan includes the travel route from the starting waiting location, through several pick-up / drop-off locations, to the final waiting location, and the estimated arrival time at each intermediate location.

[0028] The front-end processing unit 110 performs various processes by communicating information with the user's information and communication terminal device 20. For example, the front-end processing unit 110 performs login authentication processing in response to login requests with the ride-hailing application running on the user's information and communication terminal device 20. As another example, under the control of the ride-hailing planning unit 120, the front-end processing unit 110 proposes a vehicle dispatch plan to the passenger and accepts or rejects it in response to the ride-hailing application.

[0029] Furthermore, the front-end processing unit 110 acquires user location information from the user's information and communication terminal device 20. In this sense, the front-end processing unit 110 functions as a user location information acquisition unit as referred to in this disclosure. The front-end processing unit 110 passes the acquired user location information to the vehicle monitoring control unit 130. This makes it possible to determine the user's current location and, when the vehicle V that has arrived at the boarding point and the user are within a predetermined proximity range, it becomes possible to control the system so that the user can easily recognize the vehicle V that they should board. Alternatively, the front-end processing unit 110 may acquire passage information when a pre-registered user passes through a predetermined gate corresponding to the boarding point based on the dispatch request, and pass this as user location information to the vehicle monitoring control unit 130. For example, when it detects that a registered user has passed through a predetermined gate, the passage information is transmitted to the front-end processing unit 110. The user's information and communication terminal device 20 may also transmit the passage information to the front-end processing unit 110 when it detects that it has passed through a predetermined gate. The predetermined gate may be, for example, a ticket gate at a station associated with the boarding point, or an entrance / exit to a facility such as a school or cram school. In other words, the user's current location is determined when they pass through a designated gate near their boarding point. This allows the system to easily recognize the vehicle V that the user should board once they pass through the designated gate.

[0030] The dispatch planning unit 120 extracts candidate vehicles from the vehicles V in the service area based on the dispatch request and provisionally creates a dispatch plan. A provisional or temporary dispatch plan may be created for each of several different candidate routes. The dispatch planning unit 120 proposes the provisional dispatch plan to the user and confirms it after receiving the user's approval. The dispatch planning unit 120 then stores the confirmed dispatch plan in the dispatch plan database 12d and issues dispatch instructions to the corresponding vehicles V via the vehicle communication unit 140.

[0031] The vehicle monitoring and control unit 130 monitors and controls vehicle V to ensure that it runs appropriately according to the dispatch plan. For example, the vehicle monitoring and control unit 130 acquires driving management information from vehicle V and / or a road traffic information management system (not shown) via the vehicle communication unit 140. Based on the acquired driving management information, the vehicle monitoring and control unit 130 monitors the driving of vehicle V and provides guidance control as necessary. The vehicle monitoring and control unit 130 may also present the driving status of vehicle V to the operator and, if necessary, transmit guidance instructions received from the operator to vehicle V.

[0032] In this disclosure, the vehicle monitoring control unit 130 can remotely control a predetermined part of the vehicle V. For example, the vehicle monitoring control unit 130 determines whether the vehicle V and the user are within a predetermined proximity range based on the vehicle V's location information and the user's location information. If the vehicle monitoring control unit 130 determines that the vehicle V and the user are within a predetermined proximity range, it issues a control instruction to the vehicle V to operate a predetermined part. The control unit CTL of the vehicle V receives the control instruction from the vehicle monitoring control unit 130 and controls the operation of the predetermined part of the vehicle V. Specifically, the vehicle monitoring control unit 130 can control the vehicle V's lighting unit (not shown) to turn on and / or blink. The vehicle monitoring control unit 130 can also control the lighting unit to increase its illuminance or intensity as the distance between the vehicle V and the user decreases. Alternatively, the vehicle monitoring control unit 130 can control the vehicle V's human-machine interface (HMI) to display that a specific user (the user who requested the ride) is available to board. In this sense, the vehicle monitoring control unit 130 may function as a vehicle control unit as defined in this disclosure, either by itself or in combination with the control unit CTL. The vehicle monitoring control unit 130 may also perform control on the predetermined parts as described above when the user selects the pick-up mode when requesting a ride. The pick-up mode is a mode in which the vehicle V is operated so that the user can easily recognize the vehicle V when it arrives at the pick-up location.

[0033] The vehicle communication unit 140 exchanges various types of information with the vehicle V via the communication network N. For example, the vehicle communication unit 140 receives driving management information from the vehicle V. The vehicle communication unit 140 can also receive driving management information from the road traffic information management system 30. The driving management information includes, for example, location information from the vehicle V's GPS receiver, environmental information from imaging cameras and spatial measurement sensors, and road traffic information from the road traffic information management system. The vehicle communication unit 140 also transmits driving instructions to the vehicle V according to the confirmed dispatch plan. Furthermore, the vehicle communication unit 140 transmits control instructions from the vehicle monitoring control unit 130 to the vehicle V.

[0034] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing related to dispatch requests in a dispatch management device according to one embodiment of the present invention. This processing is realized by the dispatch management device 10 executing a dispatch management server program under the control of a processor, thereby cooperating with various hardware resources.

[0035] As shown in the figure, the dispatch management device 10 waits until a new dispatch request is received from a user (S301). Meanwhile, for example, a user who wishes to take a ride operates the dispatch application on the user interface of the information and communication terminal device 20 and enters a dispatch request. The dispatch request includes user location information. The user may also select the pick-up mode when making a dispatch request. When the dispatch management device 10 receives a dispatch request from a user (Yes in S301), it refers to the road map information database 12b based on the dispatch request and determines the user's departure and destination stops (boarding and alighting points) (S302).

[0036] Next, the dispatch management device 10 determines the route based on the determined bus stops by referring to the road map information database 12b (S303). The route may include several candidates that have the same departure and destination points but different roads (links) along the way.

[0037] Next, the dispatch management device 10 extracts one or more vehicles V as vehicle candidates according to the travel route and selects the most suitable vehicle V from among them (S304). For example, the dispatch management device 10 selects a vehicle V that is waiting near the departure point.

[0038] Next, the dispatch management device 10 creates or updates a dispatch plan for the selected vehicle V based on the determined travel route (S305). Furthermore, the dispatch management device 10 proposes the contents of the created or updated dispatch plan to the user (S306). That is, the dispatch management device 10 transmits the contents of the created or updated dispatch plan to the information and communication terminal device 20, and in response, the information and communication terminal device 20 displays the contents on the user interface of the dispatch application to prompt the user to accept or reject the proposed dispatch plan.

[0039] Next, the dispatch management device 10 determines whether or not it has received acceptance from the user for the proposed dispatch plan (S307). If the dispatch management device 10 has received acceptance from the user for the proposed dispatch plan (Yes in S307), it confirms the current dispatch plan (S308). The dispatch management device 10 stores the confirmed dispatch plan in the dispatch plan database 12d. Subsequently, the dispatch management device 10 sends a dispatch reservation confirmation notice to the information and communication terminal device 20 and sends a dispatch instruction based on the dispatch plan to the vehicle V (S309).

[0040] In response, if the dispatch management device 10 receives a rejection (no.) from the user regarding the proposed dispatch plan (S307), it cancels the current dispatch plan based on the user's dispatch request (S310). In this case, the dispatch management device 10 returns the temporarily held dispatch plan, which was used to recreate the dispatch plan, back to the original held dispatch plan. If the user wishes to use a different dispatch service, they will make a new dispatch request.

[0041] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of passenger handling processing in a dispatch management device according to one embodiment of the present invention. This processing is realized by the dispatch management device 10 executing a dispatch management server program under the control of a processor, thereby cooperating with various hardware resources.

[0042] As shown in the figure, the dispatch management device 10 periodically acquires vehicle location information from the vehicle V that has been dispatched (S401), and then, based on the acquired vehicle location information, the dispatch management device 10 determines whether or not vehicle V has arrived at the departure stop (boarding point) indicated in the dispatch plan (S402). Based on the acquired vehicle location information, the dispatch management device 10 monitors the current location of vehicle V until vehicle V arrives at the boarding point (No. in S402).

[0043] When the dispatch management device 10 determines that vehicle V has arrived at the boarding location indicated in the dispatch plan (Yes in S402), the dispatch management device 10 then obtains user location information from the information and communication terminal device 20 of the user who made the dispatch request (S403).

[0044] Next, the dispatch management device 10 determines, based on the acquired vehicle location information and user location information, whether the vehicle V dispatched to the boarding location and the user are located within a predetermined proximity range (S404). For example, when a user possessing the information and communication terminal device 20 that made the dispatch request arrives at the boarding location, the dispatch management device 10 determines that the vehicle V and the user are located within a predetermined proximity range. Alternatively, when the user passes through a predetermined gate associated with the boarding location, the dispatch management device 10 may determine that the vehicle V and the user are located within a predetermined proximity range.

[0045] If the dispatch management device 10 determines that the vehicle V and the user are within a predetermined proximity range (Yes in S404), the dispatch management device 10 issues a control instruction to the vehicle V to operate a predetermined part (S405). The control device CTL of the vehicle V receives the control instruction from the dispatch management device 10 and controls the operation of the predetermined part of the vehicle V. For example, under the control of the dispatch management device 10, the control device CTL may control the lighting parts of the vehicle V (e.g., indicator lights, interior lights, boarding / alighting guidance lights, etc.) to turn on and / or flash. Alternatively, the control device CTL may control the lighting parts to increase their illuminance or intensity as the distance between the vehicle V and the user decreases. Alternatively, the control device CTL may control the vehicle V's human-machine interface (HMI) to display that the user who requested the dispatch is available to board. Such control of the predetermined part is performed until the user has completed boarding the vehicle V (No in S406).

[0046] When vehicle V determines that the user has boarded, it stops controlling the designated parts and notifies the dispatch management device 10 that boarding is complete. As a result, the dispatch management device 10 recognizes that the user has boarded vehicle V (Yes in S406) and terminates the boarding process.

[0047] As described above, according to this embodiment, a user who has requested a vehicle to be dispatched to a desired boarding location can easily confirm the arrival or imminent arrival of the vehicle at the boarding location. In particular, according to this embodiment, when the user and the vehicle V that has arrived or is imminent arrival of the vehicle V at the bus stop (boarding location) for boarding the vehicle V are within a predetermined proximity range, the vehicle V's indicator lights, interior lights, boarding / alighting guidance lights, etc. are controlled to light up and / or flash so that the user can recognize that the vehicle V is available for boarding. Thus, the user can easily recognize the vehicle V that they should board.

[0048] The embodiments described above are illustrative examples for illustrating the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments only. The present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit.

[0049] For example, in the methods disclosed herein, steps, operations, or functions may be performed in parallel or in different orders, as long as this does not result in a contradiction in the outcome. The steps, operations, and functions described are provided merely as examples, and some of the steps, operations, and functions may be omitted, combined with each other to form a single unit, or other steps, operations, or functions may be added, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0050] Furthermore, although various embodiments are disclosed herein, specific features (technical matters) in one embodiment can be added to or replaced in other embodiments, with appropriate modifications, and such forms are also included in the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1… Dispatch management system 10... Dispatch management device 110…Front-end processing unit 120... Dispatch Planning Department 130... Vehicle Monitoring and Control Unit 140... Vehicle Communications Department 12…Database 12a...User Information Database 12b...Road Map Information Database 12c... Vehicle Information Database 12d... Vehicle dispatch planning database 20… Information and communication terminal equipment 30…Road Traffic Information Management System N...communication network V...vehicle CTL...Control Unit

Claims

1. A dispatch management system that dispatches vehicles in response to user dispatch requests, A dispatch planning unit creates a dispatch plan for vehicles selected based on the dispatch request and issues dispatch instructions to the vehicles based on the created dispatch plan. A vehicle location information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle location information relating to the aforementioned vehicle, A user location information acquisition unit that acquires user location information relating to the aforementioned user, The vehicle includes a vehicle control unit that performs predetermined control on a predetermined part of the vehicle, The vehicle control unit, Based on the vehicle location information and the user location information, if it is determined that the vehicle that has arrived at the boarding location in accordance with the dispatch request and the user are within a predetermined proximity range, the predetermined part is controlled to make the user aware that the vehicle is available for boarding. Vehicle dispatch management system.

2. The user location information acquisition unit acquires location information obtained by the user's information communication terminal device as the user location information. The dispatch management system according to claim 1.

3. The user location information acquisition unit acquires the user location information based on the passage information when the user passes through a predetermined gate corresponding to the boarding point. The dispatch management system according to claim 1.

4. The vehicle control unit controls the vehicle's lighting unit to turn on and / or flash. The dispatch management system according to claim 1.

5. The vehicle control unit controls the vehicle's illumination unit to illuminate and / or flash the passenger boarding / alighting guidance lights. The dispatch management system according to claim 4.

6. The vehicle control unit controls the illumination of the lighting unit to increase in intensity as the distance between the vehicle and the user decreases. The dispatch management system according to claim 4.

7. The vehicle control unit performs control over the human-machine interface of the vehicle. The dispatch management system according to claim 1.

8. A dispatch management method using a dispatch management device that dispatches vehicles in response to a user's dispatch request, To create a dispatch plan for the vehicles selected based on the aforementioned dispatch request, To issue dispatch instructions to the aforementioned vehicles based on the dispatch plan that was created, To acquire vehicle location information relating to the aforementioned vehicle, To obtain user location information relating to the aforementioned user, This includes performing predetermined control on a predetermined part of the vehicle, Performing the aforementioned predetermined control means Based on the vehicle location information and the user location information, if it is determined that the vehicle that has arrived at the boarding location in accordance with the dispatch request and the user are within a predetermined proximity range, the system includes controlling a predetermined part to make the user aware that the vehicle is available for boarding. Vehicle dispatch management method.

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