Delivery vehicle management system, delivery vehicle management method and program

Abstract

This system, methods, and programs provide logistics and transportation companies with a system, methods, and programs to propose an appropriate vehicle configuration for their sales bases and other facilities, taking into account profitability and carbon neutrality from a management policy perspective. [Solution] At a designated location, the system acquires delivery performance information for a certain period, either currently or in the past, including at least one of the following: the number of vehicles used for delivery, the type of vehicles used for delivery, and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions emitted for delivery, as well as delivery vehicle information for delivery vehicles managed at the said location, either currently or in the past (S0). At the same location, the system acquires at least one of the desired profit for a predetermined future period or the desired carbon dioxide emissions for a predetermined future period (S1). Based on the acquired delivery performance information and delivery vehicle information, the system proposes a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy the desired profit or carbon dioxide emissions for the predetermined period (S2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology effective for the management of delivery vehicles in logistics transportation operators.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, logistics transportation operators manage various delivery vehicles such as trucks. However, when newly procuring delivery vehicles, they often continue to procure the same type of delivery vehicles introduced at the time of past orders. That is, in many cases, the procurement is made by replacing or adding the same type of delivery vehicles, and there may be cases where new vehicles are not introduced based on clear grounds. [[ID=!4]]

[0003] For example, when updating the owned delivery vehicles, by introducing delivery vehicles with a large loading capacity based on past delivery records, the transportation capacity may be improved and the management efficiency may be enhanced. In addition, recently, due to the emphasis on carbon neutrality as a management policy, it is desirable for logistics transportation operators to introduce EV (Electric Vehicle) delivery vehicles such as EV trucks that do not use fossil fuels such as gasoline and light oil. However, the introduction of such EV delivery vehicles does not necessarily improve the management efficiency from the viewpoints of fuel consumption and maintenance costs, and it is not easy to determine whether to introduce them newly. [[ID=2!0]]

[0004] In view of the above, there is a need for a system that proposes the introduction of delivery vehicles considering not only profitability but also management policies such as carbon neutrality. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle management system that acquires data such as the purchase date and mileage of a vehicle from a business office when the depreciation of the vehicle is completed and switches the operation of the vehicle to a term lease.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0006] However, Patent Document 1 has not yet demonstrated that the system can propose delivery vehicles while considering the profitability of logistics management bases and management policies such as carbon neutrality. In addition, the optimization of currently owned vehicles is insufficient.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide logistics and transportation operators with a system, method, and program that proposes an appropriate vehicle configuration that takes into account profitability and carbon neutrality from the perspective of the operator's management policy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention is a system that proposes an appropriate vehicle configuration to logistics and transportation operators from the perspective of their business policies. A first acquisition unit acquires delivery performance information for a certain period, either currently or in the past, including at least one of the following: the number of vehicles used for delivery, the type of vehicles used for delivery, and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions for delivery, as well as delivery vehicle information for delivery vehicles managed at the aforementioned location, either currently or in the past. The second acquisition unit acquires at least one of the following at the said site: profits to be obtained in a predetermined future period, or carbon dioxide emissions to be obtained in a predetermined future period. The present invention provides a delivery vehicle management system comprising: a proposal unit that proposes a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy the aforementioned profit or carbon dioxide emissions during a predetermined period, based on the acquired delivery performance information and delivery vehicle information.

[0009] According to the present invention, at a predetermined location, delivery performance information for a certain period, including at least one of the number of vehicles used for delivery, the type of vehicles used for delivery, and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted for delivery, and delivery vehicle information of delivery vehicles managed at the said location, at the said location, at least one of the profit to be obtained for a predetermined future period and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted for a predetermined future period, and based on the acquired delivery performance information and delivery vehicle information, a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy the profit or carbon dioxide emissions for the predetermined period is proposed. Therefore, it becomes possible for businesses to understand the composition of their delivery vehicles at each logistics base, including vehicle types and numbers that take into account future profits or carbon dioxide emissions over a specified period.

[0010] Although this invention falls under the category of a system, methods and programs can also achieve similar functions and effects specific to their respective categories. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to propose to logistics and transportation operators an appropriate vehicle configuration that takes into account profitability and carbon neutrality from the perspective of the operator's management policy. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating the overview of the delivery vehicle management system 1. [Figure 2] This is a functional block diagram of computer 10. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing the configuration including the processing of computer 10. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating the process performed by computer 10. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating the processing configuration of computer 10, including candidate vehicle information. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart illustrating the process, including candidate vehicle information, executed by computer 10. [Figure 7]It is a screen image diagram of the delivery vehicle proposal information 221 output to the information terminal 3. [Figure 8] It is a configuration diagram of the proposed vehicle information search process of the computer 10. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart diagram of the proposed vehicle information search process executed by the computer 10. [Figure 10] It is a configuration diagram of the driver proposal process of the computer 10. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart diagram of the driver proposal process executed by the computer 10. [Figure 12] It is a configuration diagram of the inter-base loan proposal process of the computer 10. [Figure 13] It is a flowchart diagram of the inter-base loan proposal process executed by the computer 10. [Figure 14] It is a configuration diagram of the process including the budget response proposal process of the computer 10. [Figure 15] It is a flowchart diagram of the budget response proposal process executed by the computer 10. [[ID=,26]] [Figure 16] It is a flowchart diagram of the multiyear response proposal process executed by the computer 10. [Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter, embodiments) will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following figures, the same elements are denoted by the same numbers or symbols throughout the description of the embodiments.

[0014] [Basic Configuration of the Delivery Vehicle Management System 1] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, the basic overview and basic configuration of the delivery vehicle management system 1 will be described. The delivery vehicle management system 1 of this embodiment is implemented by a computer 10. As shown in Figure 2, for example, the computer 10 includes a processor 11, a storage unit 12 for storing information, a first acquisition unit 100 and a second acquisition unit 101 that acquire data in cooperation with a communication unit 13 via data communication over a network 4, and a proposal unit 110 that creates a proposal regarding the delivery vehicle configuration (delivery vehicle proposal information 220), which will be described later, based on the acquired data and proposes it to the person in charge.

[0015] Computer 10 is connected to at least the core system 2 and the information terminal 3 via a network 4 such as a public telephone network, enabling data communication. Please note that the components of the delivery vehicle management system 1 are merely an example, and the number, type, and function of terminals, devices, etc. not shown in the diagram can be changed as appropriate.

[0016] The computer 10 may include a processor 11 comprising a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., and a communication unit 13 comprising a device for communicating with other terminals or devices, and an output unit for outputting work instructions.

[0017] Computer 10 may be implemented as a single computer, or as a cloud computer, as it is implemented as multiple computers. In this specification, a cloud computer may be a system that uses any computer scalably to perform a specific function, or a system that includes multiple functional modules to implement a certain system and allows users to freely combine those functions.

[0018] Computer 10 is connected via network 4 to communicate with the core system 2 and the information terminal 3, which displays and inputs / outputs the information.

[0019] Core system 2 is a system that manages various data for logistics and transportation operators in running their business, and is a computer that manages data related to delivery instructions and actual results. In this embodiment, core system 2 stores delivery performance information 200 and delivery vehicle information 201, which will be described later, and computer 10 acquires the delivery performance information 200 and delivery vehicle information 201 from core system 2. Furthermore, as described later, the core system 2 stores the following as delivery performance information 200 for each base (a single sales base 5 or a regional management base 6 that oversees multiple sales bases) and for each past delivery: departure date, arrival date, loading location, unloading location, delivery route, delivery distance, delivery time, type of vehicle used for the delivery, sales amount and expenses for the delivery, carbon dioxide emissions for the delivery, and driver information regarding the driver who handled the delivery.

[0020] Information terminal 3 is a terminal used by a person in charge at a sales office 5 or a general headquarters 6, and is a terminal device that is connected to computer 10 in a manner that enables communication. Information terminal 3 may be an electronic terminal such as a personal computer, a laptop computer, a smartphone, or a tablet device.

[0021] Here, Sales Office 5 refers to a business operator that manages delivery vehicles and is the managing and operational body for logistics businesses divided by region, etc. Furthermore, the Regional Headquarters 6 is a managing and operational body that oversees a predetermined area including multiple Sales Offices 5. For example, Sales Offices 5 in Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, etc., are overseen by the West Japan Regional Headquarters due to their regional characteristics. Sales Offices 5 and Regional Headquarters 6 may be managed by the same company or group company, or they may be managed by separate companies. Here, the delivery performance information 200 of the central base 6 is the delivery performance information of all the sales offices 5 under its control. Similarly, the delivery vehicle information of the central base 6 is information about the delivery vehicles of all the sales offices 5 under its control, and the profit or carbon dioxide emissions sought by the central base 6 for a predetermined future period may be the total profit and total carbon dioxide emissions of all the sales offices under its control. Similarly, the candidate vehicle information 202 of the central base 6 is information about candidate vehicles owned by all the sales offices 5 belonging to the operator under its control.

[0022] Furthermore, each sales office 5 or regional headquarters 6 may have its own computer 10. In other words, the core system 2 may be a database server used in common by all sales offices 5 and regional headquarters 6, and each computer 10 provided at each sales office 5 or regional headquarters 6 may access the core system 2 and perform data communication.

[0023] Here, "delivery vehicle" refers to a vehicle used by each logistics company for delivery, and may be at least one of the following vehicles: gasoline delivery vehicle, electric vehicle (EV) delivery vehicle, hydrogen fuel delivery vehicle (hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, etc.), biofuel delivery vehicle (vehicle that uses biomass as fuel, vehicle that utilizes biodiesel fuel), etc.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first acquisition unit 100 of the computer 10 acquires delivery performance information 200 and delivery vehicle information 201 of the relevant sales office 5 or general base 6 from the core system 2 (step S0). Delivery performance information 200 refers to information that includes at least the number of vehicles used for delivery (e.g., total number of vehicles), the type of vehicles used for delivery, and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions emitted for delivery, for each sales base 5 or regional headquarters 6 over a specified period such as the past 5 years. Here, the specified period may be a certain period in the present or past.

[0025] Delivery performance information 200 may include, for each of the 5 sales offices or 6 regional offices, and for each past delivery, the departure date, arrival date, loading location, unloading location, delivery route, delivery distance, delivery time, type of vehicle used for the delivery, sales amount and expenses for the delivery, carbon dioxide emissions for the delivery, and driver information regarding the driver who handled the delivery, for each delivery over a specified period such as the past 5 years.

[0026] Here, the type of delivery vehicle may include information such as vehicle type, manufacturer name, model number, load capacity (2-ton truck, 4-ton truck, etc.), bodywork (differences in the cargo bed), vehicle type (general, refrigerated, tank, carrier, trailer, etc.), size, cargo bed dimensions, cargo bed shape, vehicle weight, gross vehicle weight, maximum load capacity, fuel type (gasoline, electric, hydrogen, etc.), introduction date, procurement price, useful life, set residual value, and lease status. Furthermore, carbon dioxide emissions may be calculated using the ton-kilometer method or similar based on the delivery distance from the delivery performance information 200.

[0027] To illustrate with an example, an employee at Sales Office A accesses Computer 10 via Information Terminal 3. Computer 10 has previously acquired all delivery performance information 200 for Sales Office A for a predetermined period, for example, the past five years, from the core system 2. Sales Office A primarily handles deliveries between Osaka and Tokyo (500 km), and most deliveries use "gasoline vehicle A". The carbon dioxide emissions calculated using the ton-kilometer method from the delivery distance (500 km) for this delivery are Z(t-CO2). The sales and expenses for this delivery are also stored in the first acquisition unit 100 as delivery performance information based on actual results.

[0028] Table 1 shows an example of delivery performance data 200 for this A branch office over a five-year period starting from 2018. As shown in Table 1, the delivery performance data 200 consists of the departure date, arrival date, load volume, load amount, unloading location, delivery distance, CO2 emissions, sales, and expenses. The total profit (sales minus expenses) and carbon dioxide emissions of all deliveries for the A branch office over a specified period (the past five years) can be calculated from the delivery performance data 200. This total profit and carbon dioxide emissions can be converted to, for example, a yearly basis by switching the "specified period". In the case of a central management base 6, the delivery performance information 200 is the information shown in Table 1 for all sales bases 5 that the central management base oversees. For example, the sum of carbon dioxide emissions and profits is the sum of all sales bases 5.

[0029] [Table 1]

[0030] Delivery vehicle information 201 refers to the composition of delivery vehicles owned by each of the 5 sales offices or the 6 central headquarters, and includes information on the types of delivery vehicles and the number of vehicles of each type. In the case of central headquarters 6, it includes information on the types and number of delivery vehicles for all the sales offices 5 under its jurisdiction. Table 2 shows an example of delivery vehicle information 201 for central headquarters M (in this case, composed of two sales offices, A and B). Gasoline vehicles A, C, etc. are the types of delivery vehicles, and the numbers are the number of vehicles of each type.

[0031] [Table 2]

[0032] Next, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the second acquisition unit 101 of the computer 10 acquires at least one of the profit target information 210 or carbon dioxide emission target information 211 of the sales office 5 or the general headquarters 6 from the information terminal 3 (or core system 2) (step S1). The profit target information 210 is the target profit (profit amount) for a predetermined future period, and the carbon dioxide emission target information 211 is the target carbon dioxide emissions for a predetermined future period.

[0033] For example, a person in charge at sales office 5 or headquarters 6 might input profit target information 210 into information terminal 3, for example, by projecting a 15% increase in profits for the next fiscal year based on this year's growth rate. On the other hand, they might also input carbon dioxide emission target information 211 into information terminal 3, for example, projecting a 5% decrease compared to the previous year. Information terminal 3 then transmits the input profit target information 210 and carbon dioxide emission target information 211 to computer 10.

[0034] Next, the proposal unit 110 of the computer 10 proposes a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy at least one of the profit target information 210 and carbon dioxide emission target information 211 for a predetermined period, based on the acquired delivery performance information 200 and delivery vehicle information 201, by outputting it to the information terminal 3 as delivery vehicle proposal information 220 (step S2).

[0035] For example, at Sales Office A, the specified period is set to "the next year," and the profit target information 210 for the next fiscal year is "10% increase in profit compared to this year," and the carbon dioxide emission target information 211 is "5% decrease compared to this year." The delivery volume for Sales Office A in the next fiscal year is predicted, and in order to achieve the profit target, for example, by "replacing 5% of the deliveries made by 2-ton gasoline truck A with 4-ton gasoline truck C," thereby increasing the load capacity and completing two deliveries in one, this profit can be achieved. In this case, Sales Office A needs to increase the delivery operations of 4-ton gasoline truck C by 5%, but the simulation described later shows that there are not enough gasoline truck C vehicles. In this case, the proposal for the next fiscal year would be to add one more gasoline truck C to the delivery vehicle configuration.

[0036] On the other hand, to meet the carbon dioxide emission target, it is assumed that the target of "reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 5% this fiscal year" can be achieved by replacing a certain percentage of gasoline vehicle A deliveries with electric vehicle B deliveries. This means that, for example, by "replacing a predetermined percentage of gasoline vehicle A deliveries with electric vehicle B," it will be possible to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The extent of the reduction achieved by this operation can be quantitatively calculated by conducting the simulation described later. Whether or not to increase the number of electric vehicle B deliveries at sales office A by one next fiscal year will be decided based on the degree of the target reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Increasing the number of delivery vehicles at sales office A can be done by sales office A itself through new purchase or lease, or, as described later, by borrowing from other sales offices.

[0037] The computer 10's proposal unit 110 calculates the target profit for sales office A (for the next fiscal year) from the profit target information 210 and the carbon dioxide emissions from the carbon dioxide emission target information 211. Then, it proposes a delivery vehicle configuration for sales office A that will achieve at least one of the target profit for the next fiscal year and the target carbon dioxide emissions for the next fiscal year, referring to the current year's delivery performance information 200 and delivery vehicle information 201. At this time, it simulates the delivery vehicle configuration for sales office A for the next fiscal year to reach at least one of the target profit or carbon dioxide emissions.

[0038] This proposal, for example, predicts next year's deliveries based on this year's delivery performance and allocates delivery vehicles to each delivery in next year based on the previous year's delivery performance. During this allocation process, the proposal unit 110 simulates whether the target can be achieved by assigning some delivery vehicles to different vehicles than those used in the previous year. Based on the simulation results, the proposal unit 110 finds a delivery vehicle configuration that can achieve the target and proposes that configuration. In this way, based on the input of target profit and carbon dioxide emissions, the proposal proposes a delivery vehicle configuration for sales office A that can achieve these targets.

[0039] The proposed delivery vehicle information 220 is a delivery vehicle configuration that will achieve the target over a predetermined period in the future, and may consist of a sufficient number and types of vehicles to satisfy the profit target information 210 and carbon dioxide emission target information 211 for the predetermined period.

[0040] The delivery vehicle configuration is information consisting of vehicle types and quantities that satisfy the profit target information 210 or carbon dioxide emission target information 211 for the sales base 5 or central base 6 for a specified period. Depending on the target setting of the person in charge, the delivery vehicle configuration may be one that satisfies both the profit target information 210 and the carbon dioxide emission target information 211, or one that prioritizes either the profit target information 210 or the carbon dioxide emission target information 211. The degree to which one is prioritized can be set by numerical values, etc., and the proposed delivery vehicle configuration may change accordingly.

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the computer 10 may also be equipped with a third acquisition unit 102 that acquires candidate vehicle information 202, which are candidates for delivery vehicles to be used for a predetermined period in the future, at the sales base 5 or the general base 6, as in the example described above.

[0042] Candidate vehicle information 202 refers to information about delivery vehicles that Sales Office A does not yet own, such as recently released new vehicles or delivery vehicles that have not yet been used. When the proposal unit 110 performs the above simulation, for example, in the above example, the simulation was performed within the range of models and types of delivery vehicles currently owned by Sales Office A. However, by obtaining candidate vehicle information 202 from an external source, the proposal unit 110 can make proposals that include delivery vehicles that Sales Office A does not yet own.

[0043] In other words, as shown in Figure 6, steps S0 and S1 are processed in the same manner as described above, and when the proposal unit 110 performs the simulation, the third acquisition unit 102 of the computer 10 in this embodiment acquires candidate vehicle information 202 from the core system 2 (step S3).

[0044] Here, candidate vehicle information 202 refers to delivery vehicles owned by sales base 5 or management base 6, and information on delivery vehicles other than those owned by the aforementioned, including at least information on delivery vehicles that need to be newly introduced or updated.

[0045] Next, the proposal unit 110 of the computer 10 performs a simulation based on the acquired candidate vehicle information 202, delivery performance information 200, and delivery vehicle information 201, and proposes a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy at least one of the profit target information 210 and carbon dioxide emission target information 211 for a predetermined period, as delivery vehicle proposal information 221 as shown in Figure 7, in the same manner as described above (step S4).

[0046] Figure 7 shows an example of the delivery vehicle suggestion information 221 proposed by computer 10 being displayed on the information terminal 3. In Figure 7, the respective delivery vehicle suggestion information 221 can be viewed by switching between sales offices or regional offices using tabs. However, if the person operating the information terminal 3 is from sales office A, user authentication may allow only the delivery vehicle suggestion information 221 for sales office A to be viewed.

[0047] As shown in Figure 7, the information terminal 3 outputs the revenue, CO2 emissions, etc., for a predetermined year at sales office A, along with the delivery vehicle configuration for that year. It also outputs the target revenue, target CO2 emissions, etc., for a target year, along with the proposed delivery vehicle information 221 for that year, on a single screen. In this figure, the delivery vehicle configuration is output by vehicle type, by drive energy source (GS: gasoline, HEV: hybrid, EV: electric, etc.), and by vehicle type (general, refrigerated, etc.). The output is not limited to this form; for example, the delivery vehicle configuration may also output the number of vehicles by model (model number) of the delivery vehicle.

[0048] [Proposed Vehicle Information Search Process] As shown in Figure 8, the computer 10 may further include a fourth acquisition unit 103 that acquires information on available delivery vehicles by searching. Here, the acquisition of such information by the first acquisition unit 100 and the second acquisition unit 101 is the same as the basic outline described above, so an explanation is omitted.

[0049] The fourth acquisition unit 103 of computer 10 acquires search candidate vehicle information 203 from a predetermined computer. For example, the predetermined computer may be a prompt engineering computer 7, from which the search candidate vehicle information 203 is acquired. The prompt engineering computer 7 is a computer that uses generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) to provide a predetermined answer.

[0050] In other words, the fourth acquisition unit 103 searches for candidate vehicle information by asking the prompt engineering computer 7 predetermined questions. For example, the fourth acquisition unit 103 asks the question "Generate a list of models of EV delivery vehicles with a load capacity of 1 ton that were released between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023" as data to be input to the generation AI, and the prompt engineering computer 7 provides the answer to this question as the search candidate vehicle information 203. The prompt engineering computer 7 that performs the search (question) may ask questions to multiple different generation AIs.

[0051] In addition, the aforementioned computer may not be one that utilizes AI generation, but rather one that automatically searches for and scrapes information from websites to obtain vehicle information.

[0052] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the fourth acquisition unit 103 of the computer 10 acquires the searched available delivery vehicle information as search candidate vehicle information 203 from a computer such as a generating AI (step S5).

[0053] Here, the search candidate vehicle information 203 is delivery vehicle information 201 which includes at least delivery vehicles owned by the sales base 5 or the general base 6 and delivery vehicle information 201 other than the delivery vehicles owned by the sales base 5.

[0054] Next, the suggestion unit 110 of the computer 10 performs a simulation based on the acquired delivery performance information 200, delivery vehicle information 201, and the searched candidate vehicle information 203, and proposes a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy at least one of the profit target information 210 and carbon dioxide emission target information 211 for a predetermined period, as delivery vehicle suggestion information 222 (step S6).

[0055] The above describes the proposed vehicle information search process. This process automatically searches for and obtains information on available delivery vehicles from at least an external source, making it possible to propose delivery vehicle information that satisfies at least one of the set profit target information 210 and carbon dioxide emission target information 211 for a predetermined period.

[0056] [Driver suggestion process] Figure 10 is a diagram showing the instruction configuration for the driver suggestion process executed by computer 10. Figure 11 is a diagram showing the flowchart of the driver suggestion process.

[0057] In this process, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the first acquisition unit 100 of the computer 10 acquires delivery performance information 200, delivery vehicle information 201, and driver information 204 from the core system 2, respectively, for the sales base 5 or the general base 6 (step S10).

[0058] Driver information 204 refers to information about drivers who operate delivery vehicles registered at sales base 5 or management base 6, and includes at least information on each driver's working conditions, qualifications held, and driving performance. Working conditions information includes, for example, whether or not they are able to drive long distances and their available working hours, while qualifications held refer to qualifications such as driver's licenses corresponding to the type of delivery vehicle. Driving performance information indicates what type of delivery vehicle the driver has used, when, on which delivery route, and how many times they have made deliveries in the past. Driver information 204 is associated with each delivery in the delivery performance information 200 table shown in Table 1.

[0059] The second acquisition unit 101 of the computer 10 acquires at least one of the following at the sales office 5 or the general headquarters 6: profit target information 210 indicating profits to be obtained in a predetermined future period, and carbon dioxide emission target information 211 indicating carbon dioxide emissions (step S11). Here, the timing and source of acquisition of each piece of information in step S10 and step S11 are not limited, as described in the basic overview above.

[0060] Based on the acquired delivery performance information 200, delivery vehicle information 201, and driver information 204, the computer 10's proposal unit 110 performs a simulation and proposes a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy at least one of the profit target information 210 and carbon dioxide emission target information 211 for a predetermined period, as delivery vehicle proposal information 223 (step S12).

[0061] For example, if a sales office A decides to procure electric vehicle (EV) delivery vehicles next year in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and there are no drivers with experience driving EV delivery vehicles, then the appropriateness of procuring EV delivery vehicles should be reconsidered. In such a case, the proposal unit 110 refers to the driver information and, if it determines that there are many drivers with experience driving EV delivery vehicles, it decides to propose the procurement of EV delivery vehicles.

[0062] According to the driver suggestion process, it becomes possible to suggest a delivery vehicle configuration that satisfies at least one of the profit target information 210 and carbon dioxide emission target information 211 for a set predetermined period, including driver information.

[0063] [Processing of inter-site resource sharing proposals] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the inter-office transfer proposal process executed by the computer 10. The first acquisition unit 100 of the computer 10 acquires delivery performance information and delivery vehicle information for sales office 5 or general management office 6 (step S20). In addition, it acquires delivery performance information and delivery vehicle information for one or more sales offices or general management offices other than sales office 5 or general management office 6 (step S21). Here, as an example, the acquired delivery performance information will be described as delivery performance information 200A for sales office A and delivery performance information 200B for sales office B, and the delivery vehicle information will be described as delivery vehicle information 201A for sales office A and delivery vehicle information 201B for sales office B.

[0064] This process involves computer 10 proposing the exchange of delivery vehicles between locations, for example, if sales office A decides to procure an EV delivery vehicle, and sales office B, which is close to sales office A, owns an EV delivery vehicle but is not using it sufficiently, then the computer 10 would propose transferring the EV delivery vehicle from sales office B to sales office A.

[0065] The second acquisition unit 101 of the computer 10 similarly acquires at least one of the following at the sales office 5 or the general headquarters 6: profit target information 210 indicating profits to be sought for a predetermined period in the future, and carbon dioxide emission target information 211 indicating carbon dioxide emissions (step S22).

[0066] Next, the suggestion unit 110 of the computer 10 proposes a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy at least one of the profit target information 210 and carbon dioxide emission target information 211 for a predetermined period, based on the acquired delivery performance information 200A and 200B and delivery vehicle information 201A and 201B, as delivery vehicle suggestion information 224 (step S23).

[0067] For example, suppose a delivery vehicle configuration for a predetermined period is created at only sales office A, and it is decided to procure new EV delivery vehicles. In this case, the proposal unit 110 refers to the delivery vehicle information 201B of sales office B and determines that it owns EV delivery vehicles, but when it refers to the delivery performance information 200B, it determines that these EV delivery vehicles are not being used much. In such a case, the proposal unit 110 proposes that sales offices share delivery vehicles, such as transferring the EV delivery vehicles from sales office B to sales office A. This proposal may be made by outputting a message to the information terminal 3.

[0068] [Budget-based proposal processing] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the budget response proposal processing performed by the computer 10. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the first acquisition unit 100 of the computer 10 acquires delivery performance information 200, delivery vehicle information 201, and budget information 205 from the core system 2 for the sales office 5 or the general base 6 (step S30). Note that the budget information 205 may also be acquired by inputting it from an information terminal 3 used by the person in charge at the sales office, etc., instead of from the core system 2.

[0069] Budget information 205 refers to the budget for procurement of delivery vehicles registered at sales office 5 or headquarters 6. For example, suppose sales office A has a budget set for the procurement of delivery vehicles for a specified period, for example, next year. Computer 10 desires to propose a delivery vehicle configuration within the scope of this budget, and therefore makes such a proposal in this process.

[0070] Next, similarly, the second acquisition unit 101 of the computer 10 acquires at least one of the following at the sales office 5 or the general headquarters 6: profit target information 210 indicating profits to be sought in a predetermined future period, and carbon dioxide emission target information 211 indicating carbon dioxide emissions (step S31).

[0071] Then, the proposal unit 110 of the computer 10 proposes a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy at least one of the profit target information 210 and carbon dioxide emission target information 211 for a predetermined period, based on the acquired delivery performance information 200, delivery vehicle information 201, and budget information 205, as delivery vehicle proposal information 225 (step S32). For example, if a sales office A decides to procure a certain EV delivery vehicle next year in order to meet its carbon dioxide emission reduction target, the proposal unit 110 compares the budget information 205 with the price of the EV delivery vehicle to be procured and proposes an appropriate EV delivery vehicle that fits within the budget.

[0072] [Multi-year support proposal processing] Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the multi-year proposal process executed by computer 10. As shown in Figure 16, the proposal unit 110 of computer 10 divides the set "predetermined period" (for example, achieving the goal in 6 years) into specific periods (for example, 1 year) and proposes a delivery vehicle configuration (step S40). This process involves the computer 10 proposing a delivery vehicle configuration for a predetermined period (for example, 6 years from now), and then proposing the delivery vehicle configuration for each specific year up to the 5th year. For example, if the delivery vehicle configuration is to replace gasoline vehicles with 5 electric vehicles over 6 years, the computer may propose a delivery vehicle configuration in which one vehicle is procured each year.

[0073] Here, the "specified period" may be, for example, a period divided into specific units such as years or days, resulting in periods separated by fiscal year. For example, if the carbon dioxide reduction target is a 50% reduction by 2030 compared to fiscal year 2023, the six years from 2024 to 2030 can be divided into one-year periods, and each of these one-year periods can be designated as the specified period. The specified period may be entered by the person in charge via information terminal 3.

[0074] Furthermore, proposals for each specific period may be proposals that divide the delivery vehicle configuration or profit target or carbon dioxide emission target for the specified period, or phased proposals based on the delivery performance information and delivery vehicle information of the delivery vehicle proposal information. In addition, the delivery vehicle configuration and profit target or carbon dioxide emission target corresponding to the specified period may also be attached accordingly. This makes it possible to propose a delivery vehicle configuration that satisfies the profit target or carbon dioxide emission target for each set specified period.

[0075] In addition, while this embodiment considers the profits of sales offices and carbon dioxide emissions as management policies, other proposals may also be made, for example, to propose a delivery vehicle configuration that allows for increases or decreases in the rate of outsourced vehicles, or a delivery vehicle configuration that takes BCP (Business Continuity Plan) compliance into consideration.

[0076] In this embodiment, the objective is to propose a delivery vehicle configuration for a logistics operator, but it may also be applied to proposing a delivery vehicle configuration managed by a shipper who receives a request from a logistics operator, or by a contractor or partner company that the logistics operator requests. Furthermore, this may also be applied to leasing companies proposing leased vehicles.

[0077] The means and functions described above are realized by a computer (including the CPU, information processing unit, and various terminals) reading and executing a predetermined program. The program may be provided, for example, in the form of a computer delivered via a network (SaaS: Software as a Service) or as a cloud service. Alternatively, the program may be provided in the form of a computer-readable recording medium. In this case, the computer reads the program from the recording medium, transfers it to an internal or external recording device, records it, and executes it. Alternatively, the program may be pre-recorded on a recording device (recording medium) and provided to the computer from that recording device via a communication line.

[0078] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Furthermore, the effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are merely a list of the most preferred effects arising from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0079] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to propose a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that will satisfy profits or carbon dioxide emissions for a predetermined period in the future, based on past delivery records, the number of vehicles used for shipping, the types of vehicles, carbon dioxide emissions, and delivery vehicle information of delivery vehicles managed by the sales base or the general headquarters.

[0080] Embodiments of the present invention are briefly described below. (1) A first acquisition unit that acquires, at a designated base, delivery performance information for a certain period of time, including at least one of the number of vehicles used for delivery, the type of vehicles used for delivery, and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions for delivery, and delivery vehicle information of delivery vehicles managed at the said base, at the present or past; The second acquisition unit acquires at least one of the following at the said site: profits to be obtained in a predetermined future period, or carbon dioxide emissions to be obtained in a predetermined future period. A delivery vehicle management system comprising: a proposal unit that proposes a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy the aforementioned profit or carbon dioxide emissions during the aforementioned predetermined period, based on the acquired delivery performance information and delivery vehicle information.

[0081] (2) A third acquisition unit that acquires candidate vehicle information to be used during the predetermined period at the base, The delivery vehicle management system according to (1), wherein the proposal unit proposes a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy the profit or carbon dioxide emissions during the predetermined period, based on the acquired delivery performance information, delivery vehicle information, and candidate vehicle information.

[0082] (3) A fourth acquisition unit that acquires information on available delivery vehicles by searching, The proposal unit proposes a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy the profit or carbon dioxide emissions during the predetermined period, based on the acquired delivery performance information, the delivery vehicle information, and the searched delivery vehicle information, as described in (1).

[0083] (4) The delivery vehicle management system according to (1), wherein the delivery vehicle is one of a gasoline delivery vehicle, an EV delivery vehicle, a hydrogen fuel delivery vehicle, or a biofuel delivery vehicle, and the proposal unit proposes a configuration of the number of gasoline delivery vehicles, EV delivery vehicles, hydrogen fuel delivery vehicles, and biofuel delivery vehicles as the delivery vehicle configuration.

[0084] (5) The first acquisition unit further acquires driver information that is changed during the predetermined period at the said base, The proposal unit proposes the delivery vehicle management system described in (1) based on the delivery performance information, the delivery vehicle information, and the driver information.

[0085] (6) The first acquisition unit acquires past delivery performance information of multiple locations as the bases, and delivery vehicle information of delivery vehicles managed by the multiple locations, The proposal unit proposes a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy the profit or carbon dioxide emissions during the predetermined period, based on the acquired delivery performance information of the multiple locations and the delivery vehicle information of the multiple locations, and also proposes a delivery vehicle configuration that includes delivery vehicles owned by other locations, as described in (1).

[0086] (7) A fifth acquisition unit for acquiring the budget of the base for the predetermined period, The delivery vehicle management system according to (2) or (3), wherein the proposal unit proposes a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy the aforementioned profit or carbon dioxide emissions during the aforementioned predetermined period, based on the aforementioned budget.

[0087] (8) A delivery vehicle management system according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the proposal unit proposes a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy the aforementioned profit or carbon dioxide emissions during the aforementioned predetermined period, and proposes a delivery vehicle configuration for each year over multiple years.

[0088] (9) A step of obtaining, at a designated base, delivery performance information for a certain period of time, including at least one of the number of vehicles used for delivery, the type of vehicles used for delivery, and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions for delivery, and delivery vehicle information of delivery vehicles managed at the said base, at the present or past. The steps include obtaining at least one of the following at the site: the profit to be desired in a predetermined future period, or the carbon dioxide emissions to be desired in a predetermined future period; A delivery vehicle management method comprising the step of proposing a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy the aforementioned profit or carbon dioxide emissions during the predetermined period, based on the acquired delivery performance information and delivery vehicle information.

[0089] (10) The computer of the delivery vehicle management system, A step of obtaining, at a designated location, delivery performance information for a certain period, including at least one of the following: the number of vehicles used for delivery, the type of vehicles used for delivery, and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions for delivery, and delivery vehicle information of delivery vehicles managed at the aforementioned location, currently or in the past. The steps include obtaining at least one of the following at the site: the profit to be desired in a predetermined future period, or the carbon dioxide emissions to be desired in a predetermined future period. A computer-readable program for performing the step of proposing a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy the aforementioned profit or carbon dioxide emissions during a predetermined period, based on the acquired delivery performance information and delivery vehicle information.

[0090] 1. Delivery Vehicle Management System 2. Core Systems 3. Information terminals 4 Network 5 Sales Offices 6. Regional Headquarters 10 Computers 11 processors 12 Storage section 13 Communications Department 100 1st acquisition part 101 Second acquisition part 102 Third acquisition part 103 4th acquisition part 104 Fifth Acquisition Department 110 Proposal Department

Claims

1. A first acquisition unit acquires delivery performance information for a certain period, either currently or in the past, including at least one of the following: the number of vehicles used for delivery, the type of vehicles used for delivery, and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions for delivery, as well as delivery vehicle information for delivery vehicles managed at the aforementioned location, either currently or in the past. The second acquisition unit acquires at least one of the following at the said site: profits to be obtained in a predetermined future period, or carbon dioxide emissions to be obtained in a predetermined future period. A delivery vehicle management system comprising: a proposal unit that proposes a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy the aforementioned profit or carbon dioxide emissions during the aforementioned predetermined period, based on the acquired delivery performance information and delivery vehicle information.

2. The aforementioned base includes a third acquisition unit that acquires candidate vehicle information to be used during the predetermined period, The delivery vehicle management system according to claim 1, wherein the proposal unit proposes a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy the profit or carbon dioxide emissions during the predetermined period, based on the acquired delivery performance information, delivery vehicle information, and candidate vehicle information.

3. A fourth acquisition unit that obtains information on available delivery vehicles through searching, The delivery vehicle management system according to claim 1, wherein the proposal unit proposes a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy the profit or carbon dioxide emissions during the predetermined period, based on the acquired delivery performance information, the delivery vehicle information, and the searched delivery vehicle information.

4. The delivery vehicle management system according to claim 1, wherein the delivery vehicle is one of a gasoline delivery vehicle, an EV delivery vehicle, a hydrogen fuel delivery vehicle, or a biofuel delivery vehicle, and the proposal unit proposes a configuration of the number of gasoline delivery vehicles, EV delivery vehicles, hydrogen fuel delivery vehicles, and biofuel delivery vehicles as the delivery vehicle configuration.

5. The first acquisition unit further acquires driver information that is changed during the predetermined period at the said location, The proposal unit makes proposals based on the driver information in addition to the delivery performance information and the delivery vehicle information, as described in claim 1.

6. The first acquisition unit acquires past delivery performance information of multiple locations, and delivery vehicle information of delivery vehicles managed by the multiple locations. The delivery vehicle management system according to claim 1, wherein the proposal unit proposes a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy the profit or carbon dioxide emissions during the predetermined period, based on the acquired delivery performance information of the multiple locations and the delivery vehicle information of the multiple locations, and proposes a delivery vehicle configuration that also includes delivery vehicles owned by other locations.

7. The system further includes a fifth acquisition unit for acquiring the budget of the aforementioned base for the predetermined period, The delivery vehicle management system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the proposal unit proposes a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy the profit or carbon dioxide emissions during the predetermined period, based on the budget.

8. The delivery vehicle management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the proposal unit proposes a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy the profit or carbon dioxide emissions during the predetermined period, and proposes a delivery vehicle configuration for each year over multiple years.

9. The steps include obtaining delivery performance information for a certain period, either currently or in the past, including at least one of the following: the number of vehicles used for delivery, the type of vehicles used for delivery, and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions emitted for delivery, and delivery vehicle information for delivery vehicles managed at the aforementioned location, either currently or in the past. The steps include obtaining at least one of the following at the site: the profit to be desired in a predetermined future period, or the carbon dioxide emissions to be desired in a predetermined future period; A delivery vehicle management method comprising the step of proposing a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy the aforementioned profit or carbon dioxide emissions during the predetermined period, based on the acquired delivery performance information and delivery vehicle information.

10. On the delivery vehicle management system computer, A step of obtaining, at a designated location, delivery performance information for a certain period, including at least one of the following: the number of vehicles used for delivery, the type of vehicles used for delivery, and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted for delivery, and delivery vehicle information of delivery vehicles managed at the aforementioned location, currently or in the past. The steps include obtaining at least one of the following at the site: the profit to be desired in a predetermined future period, or the carbon dioxide emissions to be desired in a predetermined future period. A computer-readable program for performing the step of proposing a delivery vehicle configuration consisting of vehicle types and numbers that satisfy the aforementioned profit or carbon dioxide emissions during a predetermined period, based on the acquired delivery performance information and delivery vehicle information.

Images