Collection and delivery relay point determination device and collection and delivery relay point determination method

Abstract

To provide a collection and delivery relay point determination device and a collection and delivery relay point determination method capable of reducing costs for collection and delivery works.SOLUTION: Collection and delivery means is incorporated into a collection and delivery route, which is a route taken when collecting and delivering collection and delivery items to one or more collection and delivery destinations; the collection and delivery items are transported by relay transport means between collection and delivery centers, which are a center for collecting and delivering the collection and delivery items; the number and location of at least one relay point where the collection and delivery items are relayed are determined so that a predicted section handling volume of the collection and delivery items in each section on the collection and delivery route, which is divided by the relay points, does not exceed the maximum load capacity of the collection and delivery means; and the number and location of the relay points are output.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a collection and delivery relay point determination device and a collection and delivery relay point determination method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the practical use of drones and other flying objects in logistics has been progressing, and for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a parcel delivery system that includes a receiving point setting unit that sets a point on a route to a delivery destination of a parcel recipient who is away from a delivery destination as a receiving point, where the parcel can land as an airborne object flying in the air; an estimated arrival time acquisition unit that acquires the estimated arrival time of the recipient at the receiving point; and an operation plan creation unit that creates an operation plan for the airborne object so that the airborne object holding the parcel arrives at the receiving point at the estimated arrival time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-097444 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the above-mentioned conventional technologies are often targeted at urban areas due to the cost-effectiveness of economies of scale.

[0006] On the other hand, considering the role of logistics as a universal service, it is desirable to ensure convenience on a nationwide scale while reducing the costs of collection and delivery operations in regional areas, where it is difficult to expect cost-effectiveness through economies of scale.

[0007] Some areas that require collection and delivery services have low population density, are located far from collection and delivery centers, and are connected by narrow roads. In such cases, the low population density means that the distance between collection and delivery centers is long, and therefore the distance between collection and delivery centers and collection and delivery points is also long. In addition, roads are often not well maintained, so long-distance transportation is required via narrow roads. Furthermore, transportation means that can pass through narrow roads are limited to small vehicles with low loading capacity (weight). In other words, collection and delivery requires repeated round trips between collection and delivery centers and collection and delivery points, which is an obstacle to reducing costs.

[0008] Since the costs of universal services are often borne by all users, including those in urban areas as well as those in rural areas, reducing the costs of collection and delivery operations in rural areas will ultimately lead to a reduction in the cost burden of universal services for all users, including those in urban areas.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a collection and delivery relay point determination device and a collection and delivery relay point determination method that can reduce the cost of collection and delivery operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present application includes a number of means for solving the above-mentioned problems, and one example is a method for determining the number and location of at least one relay point that relays items transported by a relay transportation means between a collection and delivery route, which is a route taken by a collection and delivery means to collect and deliver items to one or more collection and delivery destinations, such that a predicted section handling volume of the items in each section of the collection and delivery route separated by the relay points does not exceed the maximum load capacity of the collection and delivery means, and outputting the number and location of the relay points. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, the cost of collection and delivery operations can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic collection and delivery process. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the total weight handled in a collection and delivery area, the handling means, and the load capacity. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating a collection and delivery relay point determination device in a collection and delivery system together with related configuration. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a process for determining a relay point. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a case where an equilateral triangle is used as a regular polygon capable of regular plane tessellation. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a case where a square is used as a regular polygon capable of regular tessellation. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a case where a regular hexagon is used as a regular polygon capable of regular plane tessellation. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the process of relay point determination processing for determining relay points by a collection and delivery relay point determination device; [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of setting a collection and delivery area by filling a regular plane with squares and setting relay points. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a case where collection and delivery sections (meshes) and relay points are set when the population density is 1 / 4 compared to the case of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the population density of a collection and delivery area and the installation density of relay points. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of differences in usage status of relay points when demand for collection and delivery varies from day to day. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of differences in usage status of relay points when demand for collection and delivery varies from day to day. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a case where some or all of a plurality of relay points are visited multiple times on a day of high demand to transship items. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of relay points when the width of a collection and delivery area is less than the interval between relay points. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the placement of relay points when the width of a collection and delivery area is less than the interval between relay points, and when additional relay points are used on days of high demand. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a case where the same relay point is visited multiple times on a day of high demand to transship items. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the change in the load of a collection and delivery vehicle over time during delivery, and shows the state during normal demand. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the change in the load of a collection and delivery vehicle over time during delivery, and shows the state during times of high demand. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the change in the load of a collection / delivery vehicle over time during collection, and shows the state during normal demand. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the change in the load of a collection / delivery vehicle over time during collection, and shows the state during times of high demand. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic collection and delivery process according to the present embodiment.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, in a collection and delivery area 30 that is the target of collection and delivery using the collection and delivery system of this embodiment, there are disposed a collection and delivery base 20 (logistics base) that serves as the base for collection and delivery of items, a collection and delivery means 10 that travels around multiple (m locations) collection and delivery destinations 22-1 to 22-m (m is a positive integer) to collect and deliver the items, at least one (n locations) relay point 21-1 to 21-n (n is a positive integer) where the collection and delivery means 10 is incorporated into a collection and delivery route that travels around the multiple collection and delivery destinations 22-1 to 22-m and relays the items transported between the collection and delivery base 20, and relay transport means 11-1 to 11-n (n is a positive integer) that transports the items between each of the relay points 21-1 to 21-n and the collection and delivery base 20.

[0016] Here, "collection and delivery" includes both "collection" of collecting and storing items from a collection and delivery destination, and "delivery" of delivering items to a collection and delivery destination, and indicates either collection or delivery, or both. Note that in this embodiment, for simplicity of explanation, the explanation is limited to the case of delivery, but the present invention can also be applied to the case of collection or both collection and delivery.

[0017] In the collection and delivery area 30, the collection and delivery means 10 leaves the collection and delivery base 20, then travels around the relay points 21-1 to 21-n and collection and delivery destinations 22-1 to 22-m in the collection and delivery area 30, before returning to the collection and delivery base 20. During this time, the relay transport means 11-1 to 11-n transport the items between the collection and delivery base 20 and the relay points 21-1 to 21-n, respectively, and transfer the items between the collection and delivery means 10 and the relay points 21-1 to 21-n.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the total weight handled in a collection and delivery area and the handling means and load capacity, with the horizontal axis showing the total weight handled X and the vertical axis showing the handling means and their load capacity.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2, for example, if the collection and delivery means 10 is a motorbike with a maximum load capacity of 30 kg, when the total handling weight X in the collection and delivery area 30 is less than 30 kg, which is the maximum load capacity of the collection and delivery means 10 (motorcycle), collection and delivery in the collection and delivery area 30 can be performed by only one collection and delivery means 10 (motorcycle). Note that "load capacity" can also be rephrased as "load weight".

[0020] Also, for example, if the collection and delivery means 10 is a motorbike with a maximum load capacity of 30 kg, and the relay transport means 11 is an aircraft such as a drone, when the total handling weight X in the collection and delivery area 30 exceeds 30 kg, which is the maximum load capacity of the collection and delivery means 10 (motorcycle), the relay transport means 11 (drone) transports the items between the collection and delivery base 20 and the relay points 21-1 to 21-n, and the items are transshipped between the collection and delivery means 10 (motorcycle) and the relay transport means 11 (drone). As described above, according to the collection and delivery system of this embodiment, it is no longer necessary to make multiple round trips between the collection and delivery base 20 and the collection and delivery area 30 by the collection and delivery means 10 (motorcycle) or to prepare multiple collection and delivery means 10 (motorcycle), thereby improving the efficiency of collection and delivery.

[0021] In Figure 2, an example is shown in which a motorcycle with a maximum load capacity of 30 kg is used as the collection and delivery means 10, and a drone with a maximum load capacity of 5 kg is used as the relay transport means 11. However, this is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use a light truck with a maximum load capacity of 350 kg as the collection and delivery means 10, or a large drone with a maximum load capacity of 30 kg or more as the relay transport means 11.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the collection and delivery relay point determination device together with related configuration in the collection and delivery system according to this embodiment.

[0023] The collection and delivery relay point determination device 220 determines the number and locations of relay points 21-1 to 21-n to be installed in the collection and delivery area 30 in order to improve the efficiency of collection and delivery.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 3, the collection and delivery relay point determination device 220 of the collection and delivery system includes collection and delivery map information 110 having information such as data on relay point candidates, topographical data, and collection and delivery section area s, a population density database 120 having data on population density ρ, and handling record information 130 having data on handling occurrence rate α. The collection and delivery relay point determination device 220 uses information on relay point candidates and collection and delivery section area s from the collection and delivery map information 110, data on population density ρ from the population density database 120, and information on handling occurrence rate α from the handling record information 130 to determine the number and installation positions of relay points 21-1 to 21-n, and outputs the result as relay point data 420. Note that the relay point data 420 may be optimal output data.

[0025] The method of determining the divisions of the delivery area 30 and calculating the area should be the same as the method of calculating the area that is the denominator when calculating the population density ρ. Normally, the population density is calculated using the population and area of ​​each administrative division, such as a prefecture, state, province, district, county, or municipality city, town, or village, so the area of ​​the delivery area 30 should be calculated based on the area on a map in units of town names or block codes that are within the delivery area. Normally, the area of ​​each administrative division is not calculated taking into account the presence or absence of houses, so the area of ​​the delivery area 30 should also be calculated without taking into account the presence or absence of houses. If the area of ​​the delivery area 30 is calculated taking into account the presence or absence of houses, the area will be smaller than when the population density ρ is calculated, and the predicted values ​​of the population and handling volume will be smaller. Even if street addresses are used to display addresses, it is easier to calculate the area by dividing the delivery area 30 according to block addresses.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process for determining a relay point.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, when determining the relay point, the distribution area 30 is divided into distribution sections 31 with equal areas, and for each distribution section, a relay point candidate is selected while considering geographical constraints and the like. Furthermore, by optimizing the area of each distribution section 31, it is also possible to determine the optimal relay point.

[0028] First, when optimizing the area s of each distribution section, first set the conditions that the area s should satisfy. The predicted value x of the sectional handling weight in the delivery section belonging to each relay point is calculated by the following (Equation 1). x = ρ·s·α ···(Equation 1)

[0029] Here, x is the predicted value of the sectional handling weight [kg], ρ is the population density of the distribution area [persons / km 2 , s is the area of the distribution section [km 2 , and α is the handling generation rate [kg / person / day].

[0030] Note that the total predicted handling weight X [kg] and the distribution area S [km 2 shown in FIG. 2 are related to the predicted value x of the sectional handling weight [kg] and the area s of the distribution section [km 2 by the relationships X = Σx and S = Σs, respectively.

[0031] Here, in order for the distribution method that combines the relay transportation means 11 with the distribution means 10 to be established, it is necessary that the loading capacity (predicted value x of the sectional handling weight) of the distribution means 10 at each relay point does not exceed the maximum loading capacity of the distribution means 10, that is, it is necessary to satisfy the condition expressed by the following (Equation 2). x = ρ·s·α < xmax ···(Equation 2)

[0032] Also, when considering the prediction error and daily fluctuations of the sectional handling weight, the condition expressed by the following (Equation 3) is used with a margin for the condition expressed by the above (Equation 2). x = ρ·s·α = β·xmax ···(Equation 3)

[0033] Here, β is a margin coefficient (β=0.5 to 0.8).

[0034] Next, a method for dividing the collection and delivery area 30 into collection and delivery sections 31 will be described.

[0035] One method of dividing a plane is to use a tessellation, which fills the plane with a finite number of plane figures without leaving any gaps. When using a tessellation, it is preferable to use a regular tessellation, which fills the plane with one type of regular polygon, from the standpoint of isotropy and uniformity of area.

[0036] FIG. 5 shows a case where an equilateral triangle is used as a regular polygon capable of regular plane tessellation, FIG. 6 shows a case where a square is used, and FIG. 7 shows a case where a regular hexagon is used.

[0037] For each of the cases of a regular tessellation using equilateral triangles (Figure 5), a regular tessellation using squares (Figure 6), and a regular tessellation using regular hexagons (Figure 7), the relay point interval d, which is the distance between midpoints, can be generalized by the following equation (4) using the coefficient K, the margin coefficient β, the collection and delivery area population density ρ, and the handling occurrence rate α. d=K sqrt(β xmax / (ρ α)) (Equation 4)

[0038] In the case of a regular plane tessellation using equilateral triangles as shown in FIG. 5, the collection and delivery section area s can be calculated by the following (Equation 5). s = 3 sqrt(3)d 2 / 4...(Formula 5)

[0039] Therefore, the relay point interval d can be calculated by the following (Equation 6), which is obtained from the above (Equation 4) and (Equation 5). d=2·sqrt(sqrt(3)·β·xmax / (ρ·α)) / 3 (Equation 6)

[0040] In this case, the coefficient K = 2·sqrt(sqrt(3)) / 3.

[0041] In the case of a regular plane tessellation using squares as shown in FIG. 6, the collection and delivery section area s can be calculated by the following (Equation 7). s=d 2 ...(Formula 7)

[0042] Therefore, the relay point interval d can be calculated by the following (Equation 8), which is obtained from the above (Equation 4) and (Equation 7). d=sqrt(β xmax / (ρ α)) (Equation 8)

[0043] In this case, the coefficient K=1.

[0044] In the case of a regular plane tessellation using regular hexagons as shown in FIG. 7, the collection and delivery section area s can be calculated by the following (Equation 9). s=sqrt(3)d 2 / 2...(Formula 9)

[0045] Therefore, the relay point interval d can be calculated by the following (Equation 10), which is obtained from the above (Equation 4) and (Equation 9). d=sqrt(2 sqrt(3) β xmax / (3 ρ α)) (Equation 10)

[0046] In this case, the coefficient K = sqrt(2 sqrt(3) / 3).

[0047] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the process of relay point determination processing for determining relay points by the collection and delivery relay point determination device.

[0048] In FIG. 8, the collection and delivery relay point determination device 220 first reads relay point candidates from the collection and delivery map information 110, data on the collection and delivery area population density ρ from the population density database 120, and the handling occurrence rate α from the handling record information 130 (step S110).

[0049] Next, the relay point interval d is calculated by the above (Equation 4) (step S120). Note that the value of the coefficient K applied to (Equation 4) is determined by the type of regular polygon (equilateral triangle, square, regular hexagon) used for regular plane tessellation.

[0050] Next, based on the relay point interval d calculated in step S130, a mesh (collection and delivery section) of a regular plane filling pattern using the selected regular polygons is set on the map (step S130).

[0051] Next, relay points are set from the relay point candidates for each mesh (collection and delivery section) set in step S130 (step S140). It is desirable for the relay points to be as close as possible to the center of gravity of the mesh (collection and delivery section), but it is better to select a point as close as possible to the center of gravity while taking into consideration geographical conditions such as not being surrounded by natural barriers such as mountains or rivers, facing a road of a certain width, being away from residential areas, etc.

[0052] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of setting a collection and delivery area (mesh) by filling a regular plane with squares (FIG. 6) and setting relay points.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 9, collection and delivery sections 31-1 to 31-5, which are made up of meshes with odd areas, are made up of two adjacent meshes whose total area is approximately the area of ​​one mesh, and relay points are located near the focal points of each collection and delivery section.

[0054] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a case where collection and delivery sections (meshes) and relay points are set when the population density is, for example, ¼ compared with the case of FIG.

[0055] As shown in Figure 10, when the population density is 1 / 4 compared to the case of Figure 9, the mesh area s becomes 1 / 4 and the relay point interval d becomes 1 / 2. Note that even in this case, the collection and delivery section 31-1, which is made up of a mesh with an odd area, is made up of two adjacent meshes so that the total area is almost the size of one mesh, and relay points are placed near the focal points of the collection and delivery section.

[0056] The same applies when setting up collection and delivery areas (mesh) using a regular plane tessellation with equilateral triangles (Figure 5) or a regular plane tessellation with regular hexagons (Figure 7).

[0057] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the population density of a collection and delivery area and the installation density of relay points in this embodiment. In Fig. 11, the horizontal axis shows the population density [persons / km 2 ] on the vertical axis, and the density of relay points [locations / km 2 ] respectively.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 11, according to the collection and delivery relay point determination device 220 of the collection and delivery system in this embodiment, a correlation can be seen between the installation density of relay points and the population density of the collection and delivery area.

[0059] 12 and 13 are diagrams showing an example of differences in the usage status of relay points when the demand for collection and delivery varies from day to day.

[0060] For example, even if the daily collection and delivery volume is roughly constant, if collection and delivery is suspended on holidays, the demand for collection and delivery may be higher after the holidays than on weekdays. Also, if there are ski resorts or golf courses in the collection and delivery area, the demand for collection and delivery of ski equipment may increase during the ski season, and the demand for collection and delivery of golf equipment may increase on holidays, so it may be necessary to introduce larger collection and delivery means 10 and relay transport means 11 that can transport cargo of the same size as these equipment.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 12, for example, on days when demand for collection and delivery is high (high demand days), all of the relay points 21-1 to 21-16 may be used, and on days when demand is normal, some of the relay points 21-1, 21-2, 21-5, 21-6, 21-9, 21-10, 21-13, and 21-16 may not be used.

[0062] Also, as shown in FIG. 13, for example, relay points 21-1 to 21-4 may be set on the assumption that there will be normal demand days, and additional relay points 21-5 to 21-9 may be used on high demand days.

[0063] Also, as shown in FIG. 14, for example, on a day of high demand, it is conceivable that some or all of the multiple relay points 21-1 to 21-4 (including the collection and delivery base 20) will be visited multiple times to transship items.

[0064] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of relay points when the width of a collection and delivery area is less than the interval between relay points.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 15, when a collection and delivery area is narrow and blocked by natural barriers such as mountains, rivers, and seas, and the width is less than the interval between relay points, first, a smooth curve (e.g., a spline curve) passing through the relay points is drawn on a map, and the area of ​​the collection and delivery area divided by perpendicular lines to the obtained smooth curve is calculated as the collection and delivery section area s, and relay points are set so that the load capacity (section handling weight prediction value x) of the collection and delivery means 10 at each relay point obtained from the calculated collection and delivery section area s does not exceed the maximum load capacity of the collection and delivery means 10, that is, so as to satisfy the condition of (Equation 2) above. Note that when prediction errors and daily fluctuations in the section handling weight are taken into consideration, a margin is added to the condition expressed in (Equation 2) above, and the condition expressed in (Equation 3) above is used.

[0066] Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of relay points when the width of the collection and delivery area is less than the relay point interval shown in Fig. 15, and when an additional relay point is used on a day of high demand, Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the case when the same relay point is visited multiple times on a day of high demand to transfer items for collection and delivery.

[0067] Figures 18 and 19 are graphs showing the change in the load of a collection and delivery vehicle over time during delivery, with Figure 18 showing a time of normal demand and Figure 19 showing a time of high demand. In Figures 18 and 19, the horizontal axis shows time (in other words, the distance traveled) and the vertical axis shows the load.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 18, for example, in the case of normal demand (for example, on weekdays), the relay points 21-1 and 21-3 are skipped, and only the relay points 21-2 and 21-4 are passed through. In this case, when the collection and delivery means 10 leaves the collection and delivery base 20, it is loaded with an amount close to the maximum load, and the load decreases as the delivery proceeds. In order to ensure the freedom of the order of the collection and delivery points and the relay points and the route (room for optimization), the relay points 21-2 and 21-4 are reached with the load remaining. This is because if the relay points 21-2 and 21-4 are always approached after the load reaches 0 (zero), there is no room for the collection and delivery means 10 to select the order of the collection and delivery points and the relay points. Also, as shown in FIG. 19, for example, in the case of high demand (for example, the day after a holiday), all the relay points 21-1 to 21-4 are passed through. Note that the relay points to be skipped may be changed according to the demand for each day.

[0069] Figures 20 and 21 show the change in the load of a collection / delivery vehicle over time during collection, with Figure 20 showing a time of normal demand and Figure 21 showing a time of high demand. In Figures 20 and 21, the horizontal axis shows time (in other words, the distance traveled) and the vertical axis shows the load.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 20, for example, in the case of normal demand (for example, on weekdays), the relay points 21-1 and 21-3 are skipped, and only the relay points 21-2 and 21-4 are passed through. In this case, the load of the collection and delivery means 10 is almost 0 (zero) when the collection and delivery base 20 is departed from the collection and delivery base 20, and the load increases as collection and delivery proceeds. In order to secure the degree of freedom (room for optimization) of the order of the collection and delivery points and the relay points, the collection and delivery means 10 arrives at the relay points 21-2 and 21-4 with a margin up to the maximum load. This is because if the load always reaches the maximum load and the collection and delivery means 10 arrives at the relay points 21-2 and 21-4, there is no room for the collection and delivery means 10 to select the order of the collection and delivery points and the relay points. Also, as shown in FIG. 21, for example, in the case of high demand (for example, the day after a holiday), all the relay points 21-1 to 21-4 are passed through. Note that the relay points to be skipped may be changed depending on the demand of each day. Collection and delivery may also be performed simultaneously.

[0071] The effects of the present embodiment configured as above will be described.

[0072] Since the costs of universal logistics services are often borne by all users, including those in urban areas as well as those in rural areas, reducing the costs of collection and delivery operations in rural areas will ultimately lead to a reduction in the cost burden of universal services for users in urban areas as well.

[0073] In this embodiment, the collection and delivery means is incorporated into a collection and delivery route, which is the route taken when collecting and delivering items to one or more destinations, and the number and location of at least one relay point where the items are relayed and transported by a relay transportation means between the collection and delivery center, which serves as the base for collection and delivery of the items, are determined so that the predicted section handling volume of the items in each section on the collection and delivery route separated by the relay points does not exceed the maximum loading capacity of the collection and delivery means, and the number and location of the relay points are output, thereby reducing the costs of collection and delivery operations.

[0074] For example, in collection and delivery areas with a handling volume of one light vehicle or more, adding a relay transport means to one light vehicle and a collection and delivery worker can increase the efficiency of collection and delivery operations by eliminating the need to repeatedly travel back and forth between the collection and delivery base and the collection and delivery point. Also, by determining the installation intervals of relay points so that the predicted section handling volume on the route between the collection and delivery destinations of the collection and delivery means between the relay points does not exceed the maximum load capacity of the collection and delivery means, it becomes possible to continue collection and delivery by the collection and delivery means while utilizing relay transportation by the relay transport means while preventing the weight of the items to be collected and delivered from exceeding the maximum load capacity.

[0075] <Additional Notes> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes various modifications and combinations within the scope of the gist of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to those having all the configurations described in the above-described embodiment, and includes those in which some of the configurations are deleted. Each of the configurations and functions described in the present embodiment may be realized by designing a part or all of them, for example, in an integrated circuit. Each of the configurations and functions described above may be realized by software, in which a processor interprets and executes a program that realizes each function. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1...light vehicle, 10...collection and delivery means, 11...relay transport means, 20...collection and delivery base, 21...relay point, 22...collection and delivery destination, 30...collection and delivery area, 31...collection and delivery section, 110...collection and delivery map information, 120...population density database, 130...handling record information, 220...collection and delivery relay point determination device, 420...relay point data

Claims

1. A collection and delivery relay point determination device that determines a relay point where a collection and delivery means and a relay transport means transfer items in a collection and delivery area, Equipped with a processor, The processor, Read in the candidate relay points, the collection and delivery area population density, which indicates the population density of the collection and delivery area including the collection and delivery destination, and the handling occurrence rate, a collection and delivery section area is set so that a section handling weight prediction value calculated using the collection and delivery area population density, the handling occurrence rate, and the collection and delivery section area does not exceed a maximum load capacity of a collection and delivery means, and a relay point interval is calculated based on the collection and delivery section area; Dividing a collection and delivery area based on the relay point intervals and setting a plurality of collection and delivery sections; For each collection and delivery section, a location of a relay point is set from among the relay point candidates; A collection and delivery relay point determination device that outputs the positions of the relay points.

2. 2. The collection and delivery relay point determination device according to claim 1, The collection and delivery relay point determination device is characterized in that the processor calculates the relay point interval so as to be inversely proportional to a value obtained by taking the square root of the product of the collection and delivery area population density and the handling occurrence rate.

3. 3. The collection and delivery relay point determination device according to claim 1, The collection and delivery relay point determination device is characterized in that the relay transport means is a means for transporting items to be collected and delivered between a collection and delivery base and the relay point.

4. 3. The collection and delivery relay point determination device according to claim 1, The collection and delivery relay point determination device is characterized in that the processor sets relay points near key points in each collection and delivery section.

5. 2. The collection and delivery relay point determination device according to claim 1, The processor, A collection and delivery relay point determination device characterized in that it calculates a section handling weight prediction value using the collection and delivery area population density, the collection and delivery area area, and the handling occurrence rate, and calculates the relay point interval so that the calculated section handling weight prediction value does not exceed a value obtained by multiplying the maximum load capacity of the collection and delivery means by a margin coefficient.

6. 3. The collection and delivery relay point determination device according to claim 1, The processor, A collection and delivery relay point determination device, characterized in that each collection and delivery section is divided by plane tessellation, which fills a plane with a finite number of plane figures without any gaps.

7. 7. The collection and delivery relay point determination device according to claim 6, The processor, A collection and delivery relay point determination device, characterized in that the collection and delivery section is divided by a regular plane tessellation in which the collection and delivery section is filled with one type of regular polygon.

8. 3. The collection and delivery relay point determination device according to claim 1, The collection and delivery relay point determination device is characterized in that the relay transportation means is an aircraft.

9. A method for determining a collection and delivery relay point in a collection and delivery area, the method comprising: determining a relay point where a collection and delivery means and a relay transport means transfer items to be collected and delivered by a processor; The processor reads in a transfer point candidate, a collection and delivery area population density indicating a population density of a collection and delivery area including a collection and delivery destination, and a handling occurrence rate; a step of setting a collection and delivery section area so that a section handling weight forecast value calculated using the collection and delivery area population density, the handling occurrence rate, and a collection and delivery section area does not exceed a maximum load capacity of a collection and delivery means, and calculating a relay point interval based on the collection and delivery section area; The processor divides a collection and delivery area based on the relay point intervals and sets a plurality of collection and delivery sections; A step of the processor setting a position of a relay point from among the relay point candidates for each of the collection and delivery sections; and a step of the processor outputting the location of the relay point.

10. The method for determining a collection and delivery relay point according to claim 9, The method for determining collection and delivery relay points, wherein the processor calculates the relay point interval so as to be inversely proportional to the square root of the product of the collection and delivery area population density and the handling occurrence rate.

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