OPERATION PLAN DEVICE, OPERATION PLAN DEVICE SYSTEM, MEMORY DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, AND OPERATION PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Abstract

An operation planning device (11A) makes operation plans for equipment used in ground work at airports. The operation planning device (11A) comprises: an equipment information storage unit (21) that stores equipment information, which is information related to equipment that can be used for ground work at a plurality of aircraft parking aprons; and an operation plan creation unit (25) that creates an operation plan including schedules for use of the equipment at the plurality of aircraft parking aprons, on the basis of the equipment information and a parking schedule including a scheduled time to start parking an aircraft and a scheduled time to finish parking an aircraft for each of the plurality of aircraft parking aprons.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an operation planning device, an operation planning system, a storage device, an information processing device, and an operation planning program that create an operation plan for equipment used in ground operations at an airport. [Background technology]

[0002] In the ground operations carried out between the time an aircraft lands at an airport and the time it takes off, equipment such as high-lift loaders, towing tractors, and container dollies are used. If a set of equipment is provided at each of the multiple parking lots at an airport, it becomes unnecessary to manage the equipment among the multiple parking lots. On the other hand, the utilization rate of the equipment decreases as the number of aircraft taking off and landing decreases. In this case, providing a set of equipment at each of the multiple parking lots does not necessarily lead to efficient operation of the equipment.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses that, with regard to the control of transport equipment used for transporting cargo at an airport, a model for calculating a transport route for efficiently transporting checked baggage is used to calculate control parameters for the transport equipment. In Patent Document 1, information indicating the capacity or constraints of the transport equipment is used as input data, and optimal conditions for the transport route are calculated so that a setting value indicating that the cargo transport is in an optimal state is output. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-62700 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The conventional technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not include any description regarding the operation of facilities used at multiple parking lots, and there was a problem that the facilities used at the parking lots could not be operated efficiently.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an operation planning device that is capable of creating an operation plan for efficiently operating equipment used in ground operations at an airport. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, an operation planning device according to the present disclosure is an operation planning device that creates an operation plan for facilities used in ground operations at an airport. The operation planning device according to the present disclosure includes a facility information storage unit that stores facility information that is information on facilities that can be used for ground operations at a plurality of parking areas, and an operation planning unit that creates an operation plan including a schedule for the use of facilities at the plurality of parking areas based on the facility information and a parking schedule including a scheduled time for starting parking of an aircraft and a scheduled time for ending parking of the aircraft for each of the plurality of parking areas. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The operation plan creation device according to the present disclosure has the effect of being able to create an operation plan for efficiently operating equipment used in ground operations at an airport. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an operation planning system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of facility information stored in an operation planning device according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an aircraft parking schedule input to the operation planning device according to the first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of payload information input to the operation planning device according to the first embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of data of standard operation times stored in the operation planning device according to the first embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of movement information stored in an operation planning device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of facility cost information stored in the information processing device according to the first embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an operation plan created by the operation plan creation system according to the first embodiment; [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure of the operation planning system according to the first embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an operation planning system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of time consumption information stored in the operation planning device according to the second embodiment; [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of supply time information stored in the operation planning device according to the second embodiment; [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an operation plan creation unit when creating an operation plan using machine learning in the first or second embodiment; [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a learning device provided in the operation plan creation unit shown in FIG. 13; [Figure 15] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an inference device provided in the operation plan creation unit shown in FIG. 13. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an operation planning device according to a first or second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An operation planning device, an operation planning system, a storage device, an information processing device, and an operation planning program according to embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Embodiment 1 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an operation planning system 10A according to the embodiment 1. The operation planning system 10A is a system that creates an operation plan for facilities used in ground operations at an airport.

[0012] The operational planning system 10A includes an operational planning device 11A, a storage device 12, and an information processing device 13. The operational planning device 11A, the storage device 12, and the information processing device 13 are connected to a network. The operational planning device 11A, the storage device 12, and the information processing device 13 transmit and receive information to and from each other via the network. In the first embodiment, the network is, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet, but may also be a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0013] The operation plan making device 11A is a device that makes an operation plan for facilities used in ground operations at an airport. The operation plan making device 11A is operated, for example, by an operator that manages the turnaround operations at the airport. The operation plan making device 11A includes a facility information storage unit 21 that stores facility information, a schedule input unit 22 to which an aircraft parking schedule is input, a standard operation time storage unit 23 that stores data on standard operation times, and a movement information storage unit 24 that stores movement information regarding the movement of the facility.

[0014] The facility information is information on facilities that can be used for ground operations at multiple parking areas, and is a list of facilities currently existing at the airport. The parking schedule includes the scheduled time for aircraft parking to begin and end at each of the multiple parking areas. The parking schedule includes information on the aircraft type, the parking area to be used, the parking start time, and the parking end time for all aircraft that are subject to ground operations.

[0015] The standard operating time is the standard for the time required for ground operations using equipment. The time required for ground operations is the operating time per aircraft. The standard operating time is set in advance for each aircraft type. The movement information is information about the movement of equipment from one of multiple parking areas to another of multiple parking areas. The movement information is information about the time required to move between parking areas, or information about the distance between parking areas.

[0016] In addition, the operation plan planning device 11A includes an operation plan creation unit 25 that creates an operation plan for the equipment, an operation plan output unit 26 that outputs information on the operation plan, a movement information output unit 27 that outputs movement information, a standard working time correction unit 28 that corrects data on the standard working time, and a payload information input unit 29 to which payload information is input.

[0017] The operation plan creation unit 25 creates an operation plan including a schedule for the use of facilities at multiple parking areas. The operation plan creation unit 25 creates a facility operation plan by calculation incorporating facility information, parking schedules, movement information that is information on the time or distance required to move the facility, and standard work time data. That is, the operation plan creation unit 25 creates a facility operation plan based on facility information, parking schedules, movement information that is information on the time or distance required to move the facility, and standard work time data.

[0018] In this way, each of the facility information, parking schedule, movement information, and standard working time data is information used in creating an operation plan by the operation plan creation unit 25. The operation plan creation unit 25 acquires facility information from the facility information storage unit 21. The operation plan creation unit 25 acquires parking schedules from the schedule input unit 22. The operation plan creation unit 25 acquires standard working time data from the standard working time storage unit 23. The operation plan creation unit 25 acquires moving information from the moving information storage unit 24.

[0019] The operation plan creation unit 25 creates an operation plan for efficiently operating the facilities by determining an operation plan that minimizes the number of facilities used and the amount of movement of the facilities.

[0020] The payload information is information about the amount of payload carried on an aircraft. The standard working time correction unit 28 acquires the payload information from the payload information input unit 29. The standard working time correction unit 28 acquires standard working time data from the standard working time memory unit 23. The standard working time correction unit 28 corrects the standard working time data based on the payload information. In this way, the payload information is information used in correcting the standard working time data. The standard working time data corrected by the standard working time correction unit 28 is stored in the standard working time memory unit 23.

[0021] The storage device 12 is a device that stores information used for formulating an operation plan by the operation plan formulation device 11A. The storage device 12 is operated, for example, by an operator that transports aircraft. The storage device 12 includes a schedule storage unit 31 that stores an aircraft parking schedule, a schedule output unit 32 that outputs the aircraft parking schedule, a payload information storage unit 33 that stores payload information, and a payload information output unit 34 that outputs the payload information.

[0022] The schedule output unit 32 transmits the parking schedule to the operational planning device 11A. The schedule input unit 22 of the operational planning device 11A receives the parking schedule transmitted from the schedule output unit 32. The payload information output unit 34 transmits payload information to the operational planning device 11A. The payload information input unit 29 of the operational planning device 11A receives the payload information transmitted from the payload information output unit 34.

[0023] The information processing device 13 is a device that processes information on the operation plan formulated by the operation plan formulation device 11A. The information processing device 13 is operated, for example, by an operator that manages the turnaround business of an airport. The information processing device 13 includes an operation plan input unit 41 to which information on the operation plan is input, a simulation unit 42 that performs a simulation, an operation cost calculation unit 43 that calculates the operation cost, an equipment cost storage unit 44 that stores information on equipment costs, and a movement information input unit 45 to which movement information is input.

[0024] The operation plan output unit 26 of the operation plan formulation device 11A transmits information of the operation plan to the information processing device 13. The operation plan input unit 41 receives the information of the operation plan transmitted from the operation plan output unit 26. The movement information output unit 27 of the operation plan formulation device 11A transmits movement information to the information processing device 13. The movement information input unit 45 receives the movement information transmitted from the movement information output unit 27.

[0025] Equipment costs are the costs required for maintaining and managing equipment. Operational costs include the costs required for maintaining and managing equipment when operating the equipment according to an operation plan, and the costs required for moving the equipment. The costs required for moving equipment include the labor costs of the workers who move the equipment. Note that the costs required for moving equipment may include costs other than labor costs. For example, the costs required for moving equipment may include the cost of energy consumed by the equipment when moving it.

[0026] The operation cost calculation unit 43 acquires the movement information from the movement information input unit 45. The operation cost calculation unit 43 acquires the equipment cost information from the equipment cost storage unit 44. The operation cost calculation unit 43 calculates the cost required for moving the equipment based on the movement information. For example, the operation cost calculation unit 43 has information on the labor cost per unit time set in advance. The operation cost calculation unit 43 calculates the labor cost per worker by multiplying the time required for moving the equipment by the labor cost per unit time. The operation cost calculation unit 43 calculates the labor cost, which is the cost required for moving the equipment, by multiplying the calculated labor cost value by the number of workers required for the movement. The operation cost calculation unit 43 calculates the operation cost by adding the cost required for moving the equipment to the equipment cost. The operation cost calculation unit 43 outputs the calculation result of the operation cost to the simulation unit 42.

[0027] The simulation unit 42 acquires equipment cost information from the equipment cost storage unit 44. The simulation unit 42 determines the cost required for maintaining and managing the equipment when the equipment is arranged at each of the multiple parking lots based on the equipment cost information. The simulation unit 42 compares, by simulation, the cost required for maintaining and managing the equipment when the equipment is arranged at each of the multiple parking lots with the operation cost calculated by the operation cost calculation unit 43. The business operator who operates the information processing device 13 can evaluate the operation plan from the perspective of cost based on the result of the simulation by the information processing device 13.

[0028] In addition, the operation plan created by the operation plan creation unit 25 may be a conventional operation plan indicating that the equipment is arranged at each of the multiple parking lots, rather than an operation plan indicating that the equipment is used at each of the multiple parking lots while moving the equipment among the multiple parking lots. When the conventional operation plan is created, the operation cost calculated by the operation cost calculation unit 43 is the cost required for maintaining and managing the equipment when the equipment is arranged at each of the multiple parking lots. Even in this case, it is possible to guarantee that the conventional operation plan is an operation plan that allows the equipment to be operated efficiently. However, the operation plan creation unit 25 may set a constraint when creating the operation plan. The constraints when creating the operation plan are that the number of equipment used in the operation plan is less than the number of parking lots at the airport, and that the same equipment is used at multiple parking lots. The operation plan creation unit 25 may set one of these two constraints, or may set both of them.

[0029] Next, details of information used in the creation of an operation plan by the operation plan planning device 11A will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of facility information stored in the operation plan planning device 11A according to the first embodiment. The facility information includes a facility ID and facility type information. The facility ID is an identifier given to each of a plurality of facilities used in ground operations at an airport. Each facility is uniquely identified by the facility ID. The facility type information is a classification name of the facility, or a group name for collectively handling two or more facilities, etc. The facility information storage unit 21 stores facility information on all facilities used in ground operations at an airport.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a parking schedule input to the operation plan making device 11A according to the first embodiment. The parking schedule includes an aircraft number, information on the type of aircraft, a parking stand code, a flight name at the time of arrival, information on the start time of parking, a flight name at the time of departure, and information on the end time of parking. The aircraft number is a number given to each of a plurality of aircraft that depart from and arrive at an airport. Each aircraft is uniquely identified by the aircraft number. The parking stand code is a code given to each of a plurality of parking stands at an airport. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the code is a number. Each parking stand is uniquely identified by the parking stand code. The flight name at the time of arrival is the flight name when the aircraft arrives at the airport and starts parking. The flight name at the time of departure is the flight name when the aircraft ends parking and departs from the airport.

[0031] The parking schedule is created, for example, by a business operator that transports aircraft, and is stored in the schedule storage unit 31. The daily parking schedule is input to the schedule input unit 22. Note that the parking schedule stored in the schedule storage unit 31 or the parking schedule input to the schedule input unit 22 may include information other than the information shown in FIG.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of payload information input to the operation plan planning device 11A according to the first embodiment. The payload information includes flight names, information on the type of aircraft, information on the number of containers to be loaded, information on the number of cargo to be loaded, and information on total weight. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the number of containers in which small packages such as baggage are stored is separated from the number of cargoes other than the containers. The total weight is the weight of the containers and the cargo combined. In FIG. 4, the unit of the total weight is arbitrary. The flight names included in the payload information include the flight names at the time of arrival and the flight names at the time of departure. The payload information is created, for example, by a business operator that transports by aircraft, and is stored in the payload information storage unit 33. The payload information for all aircraft that depart and arrive at the airport is input to the payload information input unit 29.

[0033] The load information stored in the load information storage unit 33 or input to the load information input unit 29 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 4. The number of containers and the number of cargoes do not need to be separated from each other in the load information, and the load information may include information on the total number of containers and the number of cargoes. The weight of the containers and the weight of the cargoes may be separated from each other in the load information.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of standard operation time data stored in the operation plan making device 11A according to the first embodiment. The standard operation time storage unit 23 stores standard operation time data for each model. The standard operation information data is stored in association with the model information. In FIG. 5, the unit of the standard operation time is arbitrary. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the average number of containers for each model, the average number of cargoes for each model, and the average total weight for each model are stored together with the standard operation information. In FIG. 5, the unit of the average total weight is arbitrary. The operation plan creation unit 25 creates an operation plan by calculation that incorporates the standard operation time data by inputting the standard operation time data.

[0035] In the example shown in Fig. 5, the information items stored together with the standard operation time data correspond to the items of the payload information shown in Fig. 4. Each piece of information stored in the standard operation time storage unit 23 is set, for example, by the business operator who operates the operation plan planning device 11A. If the total number of containers and the number of cargoes is included in the payload information, the average of the total number of containers and the number of cargoes may be stored in the standard operation time storage unit 23. If the weight of the containers and the weight of the cargoes are separated from each other in the payload information, the average weight of the containers and the average weight of the cargoes may be stored in the standard operation time storage unit 23.

[0036] The standard work time correction unit 28 corrects the standard work time data shown in FIG. 5 based on the load information shown in FIG. 4. For example, the standard work time correction unit 28 calculates the difference between the average number of containers stored together with the standard work time data and the number of containers shown in the load information. The standard work time correction unit 28 calculates the difference between the average number of cargoes stored together with the standard work time data and the number of cargoes shown in the load information. The standard work time correction unit 28 calculates the difference between the average total weight stored together with the standard work time data and the total weight shown in the load information. The standard work time correction unit 28 calculates the corrected standard work time by substituting each calculated difference into a preset calculation formula. Alternatively, if the standard work time is expressed by the formula ax+by+cz, the standard work time correction unit 28 may correct the standard work time based on the formula. In the formula, a, b, and c are weight coefficients, x is the average number of containers, y is the average number of cargoes, and z is the average total weight. Any method can be applied as a method for correcting the data on the standard work time.

[0037] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of movement information stored in the operation plan making device 11A according to the first embodiment. The movement information includes information on the movement time required for the movement of the equipment between one parking lot and each of the other parking lots for a plurality of parking lots. In the example shown in FIG. 6, information on the movement time required for the movement of the equipment between the parking lot and the supply point is also included. The supply point is a point where the equipment receives the supply of energy. In the first embodiment, the energy is fuel such as gasoline or electric energy. It is assumed that there are a plurality of supply points at an airport. The movement information includes information on the time required for the movement of the equipment between each of the plurality of supply points and each parking lot. In FIG. 6, the "first parking lot" represents the parking lot with the parking lot code "1". The "second parking lot" represents the parking lot with the parking lot code "2". The "third parking lot" represents the parking lot with the parking lot code "3". In FIG. 6, the "first supply point" is one of the plurality of supply points. In FIG. 6, the unit of time is arbitrary.

[0038] The travel time is, for example, the standard time it takes for workers to move equipment from an aircraft apron or supply point, which is the origin point, to an aircraft apron or supply point, which is the destination point. If there is a point via the equipment between the origin point and the destination point, the travel time may be the time it takes to move from the origin point to the destination point via the via point. The via point is, for example, a loading and unloading area when the equipment is used to transport baggage or cargo to a place other than an aircraft apron.

[0039] In addition, in consideration of the case where the moving speed differs for each facility, the moving information storage unit 24 may store moving information for each of the multiple facilities. The moving information is not limited to information on the moving time, but may be information on the moving distance, which is the distance from the parking lot or supply point, which is the starting point of the moving, to the parking lot or supply point, which is the destination point of the moving. In this case, the operation plan creation unit 25 calculates the time required for the moving of the facility by dividing the value of the moving distance by the value of the speed.

[0040] The operation plan creation unit 25 creates an operation plan by calculation incorporating information on the time required for the equipment to move from one of the multiple parking lots to another of the multiple parking lots by inputting movement information that is information on the movement time or the movement distance. Also, the operation plan creation unit 25 creates an operation plan including a schedule for the movement of the equipment for the supply of energy by inputting movement information including information on the movement between the parking lot and the supply point.

[0041] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of equipment cost information stored in the information processing device 13 according to the first embodiment. The equipment cost storage unit 44 stores equipment cost information for each equipment type. The equipment cost information is stored in association with the equipment type information. Here, the equipment cost is the annual cost required for maintaining and managing the equipment. In Fig. 7, the unit of equipment cost is arbitrary.

[0042] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an operation plan created by the operation plan creation system 10A according to the embodiment 1. Fig. 8 shows an example of an operation plan for a certain day, which is an example of an operation plan for two of a plurality of pieces of equipment that can be used for ground operations at a plurality of parking areas.

[0043] The operation plan shown in Fig. 8 includes a schedule in which, for the facility with facility ID "a0010", work is performed at the first parking lot from 8:00 to 11:00, work is performed at the third parking lot from 12:00 to 15:00, and work is performed again at the first parking lot from 15:30 to 18:30. According to this schedule, the facility with facility ID "a0010" moves from the first parking lot to the third parking lot between 11:00 and 12:00, and moves from the third parking lot to the first parking lot between 15:00 and 15:30.

[0044] The operation plan shown in Fig. 8 includes a schedule in which the equipment with equipment ID "a0011" performs work at the fifth parking apron from 9:00 to 12:00, receives energy supply at the first supply point from 12:30 to 14:30, and performs work at the fourth parking apron from 15:00 to 18:30. According to the schedule, the equipment with equipment ID "a0011" moves from the fifth parking apron to the first supply point between 12:00 and 12:30, and moves from the first supply point to the fourth parking apron between 14:30 and 15:00.

[0045] 8, the operation plan creation unit 25 creates an operation plan including a schedule for the use of facilities at a plurality of parking areas. In addition, the operation plan creation unit 25 creates an operation plan including a schedule for the energy supply to facilities that require an energy supply during a day shown in the operation plan.

[0046] Next, the operation of the operation plan making system 10A will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation procedure of the operation plan making system 10A according to the first embodiment. As a premise of the operation procedure described below, the schedule storage unit 31 stores an aircraft parking schedule for the day for which the operation plan is to be created. The facility information storage unit 21 stores facility information. The standard work time storage unit 23 stores standard work time data. The movement information storage unit 24 stores movement information. The payload information storage unit 33 stores payload information.

[0047] Steps S1 to S4 are operations of the operational planning device 11A. In step S1, the operational planning device 11A receives an aircraft parking schedule and payload information. The operational planning device 11A receives the parking schedule transmitted from the schedule output unit 32 via the schedule input unit 22. The operational planning device 11A receives the payload information transmitted from the payload information output unit 34 via the payload information input unit 29.

[0048] In step S2, the operation planning device 11A corrects the standard operation time data by the standard operation time correction unit 28. The standard operation time correction unit 28 corrects the standard operation time data when the payload of the flight for which the operation plan is to be created is known from the payload information received in step S1. If the payload of the flight for which the operation plan is to be created is not known from the payload information received in step S1, the operation planning device 11A omits the procedure of step S2.

[0049] In step S3, the operation plan making device 11A makes an operation plan based on the facility information and the parking schedule by the operation plan creation unit 25. The operation plan creation unit 25 makes a facility operation plan by calculation incorporating the facility information, the parking schedule, travel information which is information on travel time or travel distance, and standard work time data. In step S4, the operation plan making device 11A outputs information on the operation plan made in step S3 by the operation plan output unit 26.

[0050] Steps S5 and S6 are operations of the information processing device 13. The information processing device 13 receives information on the operation plan transmitted from the operation plan output unit 26 via the operation plan input unit 41. The information processing device 13 also receives movement information transmitted from the movement information output unit 27 via the movement information input unit 45. In step S5, the information processing device 13 calculates the operation cost when operating the equipment according to the operation plan via the operation cost calculation unit 43. The operation cost calculation unit 43 outputs the calculation result of the operation cost to the simulation unit 42.

[0051] In step S6, the simulation unit 42 of the information processing device 13 performs a simulation to compare the cost of arranging equipment at each of the multiple parking areas with the calculated operating cost. The information processing device 13 presents the results of the simulation. With the above, the operation plan making system 10A ends the operation according to the procedure shown in FIG.

[0052] According to the first embodiment, the operation plan making device 11A creates an operation plan including a schedule for the use of facilities at a plurality of parking lots based on the facility information and the parking schedule. This allows the number of facilities to be operated to be reduced, and the facilities to be operated efficiently. In addition, the operation plan making device 11A creates an operation plan taking into consideration information on the time or distance required for the movement of facilities from one of the plurality of parking lots to another of the plurality of parking lots. This allows the movement of facilities to be minimized while taking into consideration the movement of facilities required for ground work at each parking lot, and allows the facilities to be operated efficiently. In addition, the operation plan making device 11A creates an operation plan taking into consideration data on standard work time, which is a standard for the time required for ground work using facilities. This allows the operation plan to be created more accurately. Furthermore, the operation plan making device 11A corrects data on the standard work time based on information on the amount of cargo loaded on the aircraft. This reduces the variation in the standard work time, and allows the operation plan to be created more accurately.

[0053] A specific form of distribution or integration of each component in the operation planning system 10A according to the first embodiment is not limited to that described in the first embodiment. For example, at least one of the schedule storage unit 31 and the payload information storage unit 33 may be provided in the operation planning device 11A. By providing the schedule storage unit 31 and the payload information storage unit 33 in the operation planning device 11A, the function of the operation planning device 11A and the function of the storage device 12 may be realized by one device. Alternatively, at least one of the simulation unit 42, the operation cost calculation unit 43, and the facility cost storage unit 44 may be provided in the operation planning device 11A. By providing the simulation unit 42, the operation cost calculation unit 43, and the facility cost storage unit 44 in the operation planning device 11A, the function of the operation planning device 11A and the function of the information processing device 13 may be realized by one device. Furthermore, the functions of the operational plan formulation device 11A, the functions of the storage device 12, and the functions of the information processing device 13 may be realized by one device.

[0054] Embodiment 2 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an operation plan making system 10B according to the second embodiment. The operation plan making system 10B creates an operation plan including a schedule for energy supply to the equipment by calculation incorporating the remaining energy amount of the equipment. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the configuration different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0055] The operation planning system 10B includes an operation planning device 11B, a storage device 12, and an information processing device 13. The operation planning device 11B includes a consumption time storage unit 51 and a supply time storage unit 52 in addition to the same configuration as the operation planning device 11A shown in FIG.

[0056] The consumption time storage unit 51 stores consumption time information. The consumption time information is information on the time required for the equipment to consume a preset amount of energy. The supply time storage unit 52 stores supply time information. The supply time information is information on the time required to supply a preset amount of energy to the equipment.

[0057] The operation plan creation unit 25 acquires the time consumption information from the time consumption storage unit 51. The operation plan creation unit 25 calculates the remaining energy of the equipment based on the time consumption information. The operation plan creation unit 25 creates an operation plan including a schedule for energy supply to the equipment by a calculation that incorporates the remaining energy. Note that when creating an operation plan, the operation plan creation unit 25 does not need to include a schedule for energy supply to the equipment in the operation plan. For example, when the operation plan creation unit 25 creates an operation plan every day, if it is determined that the remaining energy is sufficient in all the equipment on the day that is the subject of the operation plan and at least energy supply is not required for that day, the operation plan does not need to include a schedule for energy supply.

[0058] The operation plan creation unit 25 acquires supply time information from the supply time storage unit 52. The operation plan creation unit 25 calculates the supply time, which is the time required to supply energy, based on the supply time information. The operation plan creation unit 25 creates an operation plan including the supply time. Note that when creating an operation plan, the operation plan creation unit 25 does not need to include the supply time in the operation plan. For example, when the operation plan creation unit 25 creates an operation plan every day, if it is determined that the remaining energy amount is sufficient in all the equipment on the day that is the subject of the operation plan and at least energy supply is not necessary for that day, the supply time does not need to be included in the operation plan.

[0059] Details of information used in creating an operation plan by the operation plan creation device 11B will be described below. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of time consumption information stored in the operation plan creation device 11B according to the second embodiment.

[0060] The time consumption information stored in the time consumption storage unit 51 includes data on the time required for energy consumption when moving the equipment, and data on the time required for energy consumption when working with the equipment. The time required for energy consumption is the time required to consume a preset amount of energy. The preset amount is, for example, an amount of energy equivalent to 1% of the maximum amount of energy that can be stored in the equipment, which is set to 100%. In FIG. 11, the unit of the data on the required time is arbitrary. The data on the required time is stored in association with the equipment ID. The time consumption information is set, for example, by the business operator who operates the operation plan making device 11B.

[0061] In the example shown in FIG. 11, the data on the required time is linked to the range of the remaining energy. For example, the time consumption information of the equipment with equipment ID "a0010" includes data on the required time when the remaining energy is "0-35" and data on the required time when the remaining energy is "36-100". The remaining energy amount "0-35" indicates that the amount of energy remaining in the equipment is between 0% and 35%, with the maximum amount of energy that can be stored in the equipment being 100%. The remaining energy amount "36-100" indicates that the amount of energy remaining in the equipment is between 36% and 100%.

[0062] The operation plan creation unit 25 predicts the amount of energy consumed by the equipment due to movement, based on the data on the time required for energy consumption when the equipment is moved and the movement information. The operation plan creation unit 25 predicts the amount of energy consumed by the equipment due to work, based on the data on the time required for energy consumption when the equipment is working and the standard work time. The operation plan creation unit 25 calculates the remaining energy of the equipment based on the prediction result of the amount of energy consumed by the equipment. In this way, the operation plan creation unit 25 calculates the remaining energy of the equipment based on the consumption time information. By setting data on the time required for energy consumption for each range of the remaining energy, the operation plan creation unit 25 can accurately calculate the remaining energy when the time required for energy consumption changes depending on the remaining energy.

[0063] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of supply time information stored in the operation plan making device 11B according to the second embodiment. In the supply time information stored in the supply time storage unit 52, the required time for energy supply is the time required to supply a preset amount of energy. The preset amount is, for example, an amount of energy equivalent to 1% of the maximum amount of energy that can be stored in the equipment, which is set to 100%. In FIG. 12, the unit of the required time is arbitrary. The data of the required time is stored in association with the equipment ID. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the data of the required time is associated with the range of the remaining amount of energy, similarly to the case of the consumption time information shown in FIG. 11. The supply time information is set, for example, by a business operator who operates the operation plan making device 11B.

[0064] The operation plan creation unit 25 calculates the time required to supply energy to the equipment based on the supply time information and the calculated remaining energy amount. By setting the supply time information for each range of the remaining energy amount, the operation plan creation unit 25 can calculate an accurate supply time when the supply time varies depending on the remaining energy amount.

[0065] The operation plan creation unit 25 may calculate the supply time required to supply energy to the equipment based only on the supply time information. In this case, the supply time information is not data linked to the range of the remaining energy amount, but can be a constant value regardless of the remaining energy amount. In other words, the supply time information stored in the supply time storage unit 52 does not need to include information indicating the range of the remaining energy amount. The operation plan creation unit 25 calculates the supply time based on the supply time information that is a constant value regardless of the remaining energy amount.

[0066] The operation plan creation unit 25 calculates the remaining energy of the equipment, and creates an operation plan including a schedule for energy supply to the equipment through calculations that incorporate the remaining energy. This allows the operation plan creation device 11B to create an operation plan that enables energy to be supplied to the equipment at an appropriate timing according to the remaining energy. In addition, the operation plan creation unit 25 calculates the supply time, and creates an operation plan that includes the supply time. This allows the operation plan creation device 11B to create an operation plan that incorporates the time required for energy supply.

[0067] According to the second embodiment, the operation plan creation device 11B calculates the remaining energy of the equipment and the supply time required to supply energy to the equipment, and creates an operation plan including a schedule for the use of the equipment at multiple parking areas based on the remaining energy and the supply time. This makes it possible to minimize the movement of the equipment while taking into account the energy supply schedule, and to operate the equipment more efficiently.

[0068] A specific form of distribution or integration of each component in the operation planning system 10B according to the second embodiment is not limited to that described in the second embodiment. For example, at least one of the schedule storage unit 31 and the payload information storage unit 33 may be provided in the operation planning device 11B. By providing the schedule storage unit 31 and the payload information storage unit 33 in the operation planning device 11B, the function of the operation planning device 11B and the function of the storage device 12 may be realized by one device. Alternatively, at least one of the simulation unit 42, the operation cost calculation unit 43, and the facility cost storage unit 44 may be provided in the operation planning device 11B. By providing the simulation unit 42, the operation cost calculation unit 43, and the facility cost storage unit 44 in the operation planning device 11B, the function of the operation planning device 11B and the function of the information processing device 13 may be realized by one device. Furthermore, the functions of the operational plan formulation device 11B, the functions of the storage device 12, and the functions of the information processing device 13 may be realized by one device.

[0069] In the first embodiment, the operation plan making device 11A creates an operation plan by an arbitrary method based on facility information, an aircraft parking schedule, movement information which is information on movement time or movement distance, and standard work time data. In the second embodiment, the operation plan making device 11B creates an operation plan by an arbitrary method based on facility information, an aircraft parking schedule, movement information which is information on movement time or movement distance, standard work time data, consumed time information, and supplied time information. The operation plan making devices 11A and 11B may create an operation plan by using machine learning, for example.

[0070] Here, creation of an operation plan using machine learning will be described. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the operation plan creation unit 60 when creating an operation plan using machine learning in the first or second embodiment. The operation plan creation unit 60 is an example of the operation plan creation unit 25 that creates an operation plan using machine learning.

[0071] The operation plan creation unit 60 includes a learning device 61, an inference device 62, and a learned model storage unit 63. The learning device 61 learns an operation plan that enables efficient operation of equipment. An operation plan that enables efficient operation of equipment is, for example, an operation plan that uses as few pieces of equipment as possible and moves the equipment as little as possible. The learning device 61 outputs a learned model that is the result of learning. The learned model storage unit 63 stores the learned model. The inference device 62 reads out a learned model for inferring the operation plan from the learned model storage unit 63. The inference device 62 outputs an operation plan that is the result of inference by inputting inference data to the learned model.

[0072] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the learning device 61 included in the operation plan creation unit 60 shown in FIG. 13. The learning device 61 includes a data acquisition unit 64 and a model generation unit 65. The data acquisition unit 64 acquires learning data and creates a data set by combining the learning data. In the case of the first embodiment, the learning data is facility information, parking schedule, movement information, data on standard work time, and operation plan information. In the case of the first embodiment, the operation plan information includes information on an operation plan created based on the facility information, parking schedule, movement information, and data on standard work time. In the case of the second embodiment, the learning data includes facility information, parking schedule, movement information, data on standard work time, consumed time information, supply time information, and operation plan information. In the case of the second embodiment, the operation plan information is information on an operation plan created based on the facility information, parking schedule, movement information, data on standard work time, consumed time information, and supply time information.

[0073] The model generation unit 65 generates a trained model using the learning data. In the first embodiment, the model generation unit 65 generates a trained model for inferring an operation plan from facility information, parking schedule, movement information, and standard work time data. In the second embodiment, the model generation unit 65 generates a trained model for inferring an operation plan from facility information, parking schedule, movement information, standard work time data, consumed time information, and supplied time information.

[0074] The learning algorithm used by the model generation unit 65 may be a known algorithm such as supervised learning, unsupervised learning, or reinforcement learning. As an example, a case where reinforcement learning is applied to the learning algorithm used by the model generation unit 65 will be described. In reinforcement learning, an agent, which is an actor in a certain environment, observes the current state and decides on an action to be taken. The agent obtains a reward from the environment by selecting an action, and learns a policy that will obtain the most reward through a series of actions. Q-learning and TD-learning are known as representative methods of reinforcement learning. For example, in the case of Q-learning, an action value table, which is a general update formula for the action value function Q(s,a), is expressed by the following formula (1). The action value function Q(s,a) represents the action value Q, which is the value of the action of selecting the action "a" in the environment "s".

[0075]

number

[0076] In formula (1), "s t " represents the environment at time "t". t " represents an action at time "t". t "The environment is "s t+1 " will be changed to "r t+1 " represents the reward that can be obtained by changing the environment. "γ" represents the discount rate. "α" represents the learning coefficient. t The method of updating the operation plan in the model generation unit 65 or the point of updating the operation plan is the action "a t " In the case of the first embodiment, the data of facility information, parking schedule, movement information, and standard working hours are the data to be referenced when updating the operation plan. In the case of the second embodiment, the data of facility information, parking schedule, movement information, standard working hours data, consumed time information, and supplied time information are the data to be referenced when updating the operation plan.

[0077] The update formula expressed by formula (1) increases the action value Q if the action value of the best action "a" at time "t+1" is greater than the action value Q of the action "a" executed at time "t", and decreases the action value Q in the opposite case. In other words, the action value function Q(s,a) is updated so that the action value Q of the action "a" at time "t" approaches the best action value at time "t+1". As a result, the best action value in a certain environment is propagated sequentially to the action value in the previous environment.

[0078] The model generation unit 65 has a reward calculation unit 66 and a function update unit 67. The reward calculation unit 66 calculates a reward based on a data set. The function update unit 67 updates a function for determining an investment plan according to the reward calculated by the reward calculation unit 66.

[0079] Specifically, the reward calculation unit 66 calculates the reward "r" based on the value of the objective function that indicates the efficiency of the operation plan. The efficiency of the operation plan refers to the small number of pieces of equipment used and the small amount of equipment movement. For example, when the value of the objective function changes in a direction that improves the efficiency of the operation plan, the reward calculation unit 66 increases the reward "r". The reward calculation unit 66 increases the reward "r" by giving a reward value of "1". Note that the reward value is not limited to "1". When the value of the objective function changes in a direction that decreases the efficiency of the operation plan, the reward calculation unit 66 decreases the reward "r". The reward calculation unit 66 reduces the reward "r" by giving a reward value of "-1". Note that the reward value is not limited to "-1".

[0080] The function update unit 67 updates the function, which is a model for determining an operation plan, according to the reward calculated by the reward calculation unit 66. The function can be updated by, for example, updating an action value table according to a data set. The action value table is a data set in which any action is associated with its action value and stored in the form of a table. For example, in the case of Q-learning, the action value function Q(s t,a t ) is used as a function to determine the operation plan.

[0081] Although the case where reinforcement learning is applied to the learning algorithm used by the model generation unit 65 has been described above, learning other than reinforcement learning may be applied to the learning algorithm. The model generation unit 65 may execute machine learning using a known learning algorithm other than reinforcement learning, for example, a learning algorithm such as deep learning, neural network, genetic programming, inductive logic programming, or support vector machine.

[0082] The learning device 61 is not limited to being built into the operation plan development devices 11A and 11B. The learning device 61 may be realized by a device external to the operation plan development devices 11A and 11B. In this case, the device functioning as the learning device 61 may be a device that can be connected to the operation plan development devices 11A and 11B via a network. The device functioning as the learning device 61 may be a device that exists on a cloud server.

[0083] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the inference device 62 included in the operation plan creation unit 60 shown in Fig. 13. The inference device 62 infers an operation plan that enables efficient operation of the facility based on the inference data.

[0084] The inference device 62 has a data acquisition unit 68 and an inference unit 69. The data acquisition unit 68 acquires data for inference. In the case of the first embodiment, the data for inference is data on facility information, parking schedules, movement information, and standard work hours. In the case of the second embodiment, the data for inference is data on facility information, parking schedules, movement information, data on standard work hours, consumed time information, and supplied time information.

[0085] The inference unit 69 reads out the trained model generated by the learning device 61 from the trained model storage unit 63. The inference unit 69 infers an operation plan by inputting inference data to the trained model. The inference unit 69 outputs information on the operation plan, which is the inference result.

[0086] In this way, the operation plan creation unit 60 creates an operation plan using machine learning, which enables the operation plan creation devices 11A and 11B to create an operation plan that enables efficient operation of the equipment.

[0087] Next, a hardware configuration of the operation planning device 11A, 11B will be described. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the operation planning device 11A, 11B according to the first or second embodiment. The operation planning device 11A, 11B is realized by a computer system including a processing circuit 90 and a communication device 91. The processing circuit 90 includes a processor 92 and a memory 93. The processing circuit 90 is a circuit on which the processor 92 executes software.

[0088] The operation plan creation unit 25 and the standard operation time correction unit 28, which are the processing units of the operation plan creation devices 11A and 11B, are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is written as a program and stored in the memory 93. In the processing circuit 90, the processor 92 reads out and executes the operation plan creation program, which is a program stored in the memory 93, to realize the functions of the operation plan creation unit 25 and the standard operation time correction unit 28. That is, the processing circuit 90 includes a memory 93 for storing a program that results in the processing of the operation plan creation devices 11A and 11B being executed. It can also be said that the operation plan creation program stored in the memory 93 causes a computer to execute the procedures and methods of the operation plan creation devices 11A and 11B.

[0089] The processor 92 is a CPU (also called a central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, processor, or DSP (digital signal processor)). The memory 93 is, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM (random access memory), a ROM (read only memory), a flash memory, an EPROM (erasable programmable read only memory), an EEPROM (registered trademark) (electrically erasable programmable read only memory), a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, or a DVD (digital versatile disk). The equipment information storage unit 21, the standard operation time storage unit 23, and the movement information storage unit 24 are realized by the memory 93. The schedule input unit 22, the operation plan output unit 26, the movement information output unit 27, and the payload information input unit 29 are realized by the communication device 91.

[0090] Next, the hardware configuration of the storage device 12 will be described. The storage device 12 has a hardware configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 16. Here, the hardware configuration of the storage device 12 will be described with reference to FIG. 16. The storage device 12 is realized by a computer system including a processing circuit 90 and a communication device 91. The schedule storage unit 31 and the payload information storage unit 33 are realized by a memory 93. The schedule output unit 32 and the payload information output unit 34 are realized by the communication device 91.

[0091] Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing device 13 will be described. The information processing device 13 has a hardware configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 16. Here, the hardware configuration of the information processing device 13 will be described with reference to FIG. 16. The information processing device 13 is realized by a computer system including a processing circuit 90 and a communication device 91. The simulation unit 42 and the operation cost calculation unit 43 are realized by the processor 92 reading and executing a program stored in the memory 93. The facility cost storage unit 44 is realized by the memory 93. The operation plan input unit 41 and the movement information input unit 45 are realized by the communication device 91.

[0092] Each of the operation plan making devices 11A and 11B, the storage device 12, and the information processing device 13 may include an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). Each of the operation plan making devices 11A and 11B, the storage device 12, and the information processing device 13 may be composed of two or more devices. The operation plan making program may be stored in a recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM or a DVD-ROM, and the recording medium may be provided to realize each embodiment.

[0093] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are examples of the contents of the present disclosure. The configurations of each embodiment can be combined with other known technologies. The configurations of each embodiment can be appropriately combined. A part of the configuration of each embodiment can be omitted or modified without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 10A, 10B Operational planning system, 11A, 11B Operational planning device, 12 Storage device, 13 Information processing device, 21 Equipment information storage unit, 22 Schedule input unit, 23 Standard work time storage unit, 24 Movement information storage unit, 25 Operational plan creation unit, 26 Operational plan output unit, 27 Movement information output unit, 28 Standard work time correction unit, 29 Payload information input unit, 31 Schedule storage unit, 32 Schedule output unit, 33 Payload information storage unit, 34 Payload information output unit, 41 Operational plan input unit, 42 Simulation unit, 43 Operational cost calculation unit, 44 Equipment cost storage unit, 45 Movement information input unit, 51 Time consumption storage unit, 52 Supply time storage unit, 60 Operational plan creation unit, 61 Learning device, 62 Inference device, 63 Learned model storage unit, 64 Data acquisition unit, 65 Model generation unit, 66 Reward calculation unit, 67 function update unit, 68 data acquisition unit, 69 inference unit, 90 processing circuit, 91 communication device, 92 processor, 93 memory.

Claims

1. An operation planning device that creates an operation plan for equipment used in ground operations at an airport, comprising: A facility information storage unit that stores facility information that is information on the facility that can be used for the ground operations at a plurality of parking areas; an operation plan creation unit that creates the operation plan including a schedule for the use of the facilities at the multiple parking lots based on the facility information and an aircraft parking schedule including a scheduled time for starting parking of the aircraft and a scheduled time for ending parking of the aircraft for each of the multiple parking lots; An operation planning device comprising:

2. The operational planning device described in claim 1, characterized in that the operational plan creation unit creates the operational plan by calculations that incorporate information on the time or distance required for the equipment to move from one of the multiple parking lots to another of the multiple parking lots.

3. 3. The operational planning device according to claim 1, wherein the operational plan creation unit creates the operational plan by calculations that incorporate data on standard work times, which are the standard for the time required for the ground work using the equipment.

4. a standard work time correction unit that corrects the standard work time data based on information about an amount of cargo loaded on the aircraft, 4. The operation plan making device according to claim 3, wherein the operation plan creating unit creates the operation plan by a calculation that incorporates the corrected data on the standard operation time.

5. 3. The operation plan making device according to claim 1, wherein the operation plan creation unit calculates a remaining energy amount of the equipment, and creates the operation plan by a calculation that incorporates the remaining energy amount.

6. The operation plan creation device according to claim 5 , characterized in that the operation plan creation unit calculates the remaining energy of the equipment based on data on the time required for the equipment to consume a predetermined amount of energy.

7. The operation plan creation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the operation plan creation unit calculates a supply time, which is the time required to supply energy, based on data on the time required to supply a predetermined amount of energy to the equipment, and creates the operation plan.

8. An operation planning system that creates an operation plan for equipment used in ground operations at an airport, comprising: A facility information storage unit that stores facility information that is information on the facility that can be used for the ground operations at a plurality of parking areas; an operation plan creation unit that creates an operation plan including a schedule for the use of the facilities at the multiple parking lots based on the facility information and an aircraft parking schedule including a scheduled time for starting parking of an aircraft and a scheduled time for ending parking of the aircraft for each of the multiple parking lots; An operation planning system comprising:

9. A schedule storage unit that stores the parking schedule, 9. The operation plan making system according to claim 8, wherein the operation plan creation unit creates the operation plan based on the facility information and the parking schedule acquired from the schedule storage unit.

10. a payload information storage unit that stores payload information, which is information regarding the amount of payload carried on the aircraft; a standard operation time correction unit that corrects data on a standard operation time, which is a standard of the time required for the ground operation using the equipment, based on the payload information acquired from the payload information storage unit, 10. The operation planning system according to claim 8, wherein the operation plan creation unit creates the operation plan by a calculation that incorporates the corrected data on the standard operation time.

11. an operation cost calculation unit that calculates an operation cost including expenses required for maintaining and managing the facility when the facility is operated according to the created operation plan and labor costs of workers who operate the facility; a simulation unit that performs a simulation to compare the cost required for maintaining and managing the facilities in a case where the facilities are arranged at each of the plurality of parking areas with the calculated operating cost; 10. The operation plan making system according to claim 8, further comprising:

12. A storage device that stores information used in the creation of an operation plan by an operation plan creation device that creates an operation plan for equipment used in ground operations at an airport, the storage device comprising: a schedule storage unit that stores information used in creating the operation plan including a schedule for the use of the facilities available for the ground operations at a plurality of parking areas, the information including a parking schedule including a scheduled time for starting parking of an aircraft and a scheduled time for ending parking of the aircraft at each of the plurality of parking areas; A schedule output unit that outputs the parking schedule; A storage device comprising:

13. a payload information storage unit that stores payload information, which is information used in correcting data on a standard operation time that is a standard for the time required for the ground operation using the equipment, and is information regarding the amount of payload loaded onto the aircraft; a payload information output unit that outputs the payload information; The storage device according to claim 12, further comprising:

14. An information processing device that processes information on an operation plan prepared by an operation plan preparation device for equipment used in ground operations at an airport and available for the ground operations at a plurality of parking areas, an operation plan input unit to which information of the operation plan is input; an operation cost calculation unit that calculates an operation cost including a cost required for maintaining and managing the equipment and a cost required for moving the equipment when the equipment is operated according to the operation plan, based on the operation plan; a simulation unit that performs a simulation to compare the cost required for maintaining and managing the facilities in a case where the facilities are arranged at each of the plurality of parking areas with the calculated operating cost; An information processing device comprising:

15. An operation planning program that causes a computer to function as an operation planning device that creates an operation plan for equipment used in ground operations at an airport, comprising: A step of creating the operation plan including a schedule for the use of the facilities at the multiple parking lots based on facility information, which is information on the facilities that can be used for the ground operations at the multiple parking lots, and a parking schedule including a scheduled time to start parking the aircraft and a scheduled time to end parking the aircraft for each of the multiple parking lots. An operation plan planning program that causes the computer to execute the above steps.

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