Dispatch device, dispatch system, and dispatch method

Abstract

A dispatch device (2) comprises at least one controller (27) characterized by performing: a process for acquiring information on a first dispatch request for transporting a passenger; a process for acquiring information on a second dispatch request for transporting cargo; a process for calculating a first travel route for the vehicle to travel on the basis of the information on the first dispatch request; a process for acquiring information on a loading / unloading point, which is a loading / unloading point of the cargo transported by a vehicle (3); a process for calculating a loading / unloading cost required for loading and unloading the cargo at the loading / unloading point between the starting point and the ending point of the first travel route in accordance with the loading / unloading point; a process for changing the first travel route to pass through the loading / unloading point when the loading / unloading cost satisfies an allowable condition; and a process for outputting a route change notification from a terminal device to inform of a change in the first travel route.

Description

Vehicle allocation device, vehicle allocation system, and vehicle allocation method

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle dispatching device, a vehicle dispatching system, and a vehicle dispatching method.

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a technology for changing the travel route of a set vehicle dispatch plan when a vehicle dispatch request comes from a second user after a vehicle dispatch plan has been set in which the vehicle will arrive at the desired boarding and disembarking location at the desired boarding and disembarking time of a first user, if the vehicle can arrive at the desired boarding and disembarking time of the first user even if the vehicle is dispatched to the second user.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-47017

[0004] However, when transporting passengers and luggage together, the time required to load and unload luggage onto and from vehicles (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "loading and unloading") can result in missing passengers' desired boarding times or desired arrival times, which could result in a decline in service quality for passengers. This is because the time required for loading and unloading luggage varies more than the time required for passengers to board and disembark. The present invention aims to improve the service quality for passengers in transportation services that transport passengers and luggage together.

[0005] A vehicle dispatching device according to one aspect of the present invention includes at least one controller that executes the following processes: acquiring information on a request to transport passengers as a first dispatch request; acquiring information on a request to transport luggage as a second dispatch request; calculating a first driving route, which is a driving route along which a vehicle will travel based on the information on the first dispatch request; acquiring information on loading and unloading points, which are points where luggage to be transported by the vehicle will be loaded and unloaded, from the information on the second dispatch request; calculating an estimated value of a loading and unloading cost, which is the cost required to load and unload luggage to be transported by the vehicle at the loading and unloading points between the start point and the end point of the first driving route, in accordance with the loading and unloading points; calculating a second driving route by changing the first driving route to pass through the loading and unloading points if the loading and unloading cost satisfies a predetermined tolerance condition; and outputting a route change notification from a terminal device informing of the change to the first driving route.

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the quality of service provided to passengers in a transportation service that carries passengers and luggage together.

[0007] It is a schematic configuration diagram of an example of a vehicle dispatch system of an embodiment. It is a block diagram of an example of the functional configuration of a controller of a control device. It is a schematic diagram explaining an example of loading and unloading costs incurred by passengers due to loading and unloading of luggage. It is a flowchart of an example of a vehicle dispatch method of the present invention. It is a flowchart of an example of the incurred cost estimation process of Figure 4.

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings are schematic and may differ from the actual product. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention shown below are examples of devices and methods for embodying the technical concept of the present invention, and the technical concept of the present invention does not limit the structure, arrangement, etc. of component parts to those described below. The technical concept of the present invention can be modified in various ways within the technical scope defined by the claims.

[0009] (Configuration) Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a vehicle dispatch system according to an embodiment. The vehicle dispatch system 1 is a system that provides passenger transportation services and luggage delivery services by transporting passengers and luggage together in a vehicle 3 (service vehicle). In the following description, the passenger transportation service and luggage delivery service may be collectively referred to as "transportation services." The vehicle dispatch system 1 includes a control device 2, a plurality of vehicles 3, a first electronic device 4, and a second electronic device 5.

[0010] The control device 2 is an information processing device that controls the dispatch of vehicles 3 to be used for the service in one or more business areas (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "service areas") where the transportation service is provided. For example, the control device 2 may be a server device provided in a management center of the transportation service. The control device 2 is an example of a "vehicle dispatch device" as defined in the claims. The control device 2 includes a communication device 20, a map database (map DB) 21, a passenger information database (passenger information DB) 22, a baggage information database (baggage information DB) 23, a loading / unloading / boarding point database (loading / unloading / boarding point DB) 24, a vehicle information database (vehicle information DB) 25, a vehicle dispatch plan database (vehicle dispatch plan DB) 26, and a controller 27.

[0011] The communication device 20 provides a communication function between the control device 2 and an external device. The communication method used by the communication device 20 may be, for example, wired communication or wireless communication via a public mobile communication network, satellite communication, or road-to-vehicle communication with the vehicle 3. The control device 2 transmits and receives data between the vehicle 3, the first electronic device 4, and the second electronic device 5 via the communication device 20. The map DB 21 stores map information of the service area in which the vehicle dispatch system 1 provides transportation services. The map information may be, for example, map data for navigation (hereinafter simply referred to as "navigation map").

[0012] The passenger information DB 22 stores information on dispatch requests requesting the dispatch of a vehicle 3 to transport passengers (i.e., a request requesting that passengers be transported by a vehicle 3). In the following description, a dispatch request requesting the dispatch of a vehicle 3 to transport passengers may be referred to as a "passenger transport request." The information on the passenger transport request may include, for example, passenger identification information, desired boarding point, and desired disembarking point. Furthermore, the information on the passenger transport request may include passenger attribute information. For example, the attribute information may be information on the passenger's gender and age (including age group).

[0013] Furthermore, the information on the passenger transportation request may include information on the conditions (acceptable conditions) that are acceptable to passengers riding in vehicle 3 with respect to the costs incurred by passengers riding in vehicle 3 due to loading and unloading luggage to be transported by vehicle 3 and by other passengers sharing the ride getting on and off vehicle 3. In the following description, the costs incurred by passengers riding in vehicle 3 due to loading and unloading luggage to be transported by vehicle 3 may be referred to as "loading and unloading costs." Furthermore, the costs incurred by passengers riding in vehicle 3 due to other passengers sharing the ride getting on and off vehicle 3 may be referred to as "boarding and disembarking costs."

[0014] For example, the loading and unloading cost may be the cost incurred by a passenger due to loading and unloading of luggage while the passenger is aboard the vehicle 3 (for example, the waiting time during loading and unloading, or the delay in arriving at the drop-off point). Alternatively, for example, the loading and unloading cost may be the cost incurred by a passenger due to loading and unloading of luggage transported by the vehicle 3 from the time a passenger transportation request is received from the passenger until the vehicle 3 picks up the passenger at the boarding point (for example, the delay in arriving at the boarding point). Alternatively, for example, the loading and unloading cost may be the number of times the vehicle 3 stops while the passenger is aboard the vehicle 3 to load and unload luggage or to allow other passengers to board and disembark.

[0015] For example, the boarding and alighting cost may be the cost incurred by a passenger due to other passengers getting on and off while the passenger is on board the vehicle 3 (for example, the waiting time between getting on and off, or the delay time caused by a delay in arriving at the drop-off point). Also, for example, the boarding and alighting cost may be the cost incurred by a passenger due to other passengers getting on and off between the time a passenger transportation request is received from the passenger and the time the vehicle 3 picks up the passenger at the boarding point (for example, the delay time caused by a delay in arriving at the boarding point). Also, for example, the boarding and alighting cost may be the number of times the vehicle 3 stops to allow other passengers to get on and off while the passenger is on board the vehicle 3.

[0016] The tolerance condition may be, for example, an upper limit of the time required for loading and unloading luggage or for boarding and disembarking other passengers, or an upper limit of the delay time that delays arrival at the boarding or disembarking point due to loading and unloading luggage or for boarding and disembarking other passengers. The tolerance condition may also be an upper limit of the number of times that the vehicle 3 stops while a passenger is on board the vehicle 3 to load and unload luggage or for boarding and disembarking other passengers.

[0017] The baggage information DB 23 stores information on a vehicle dispatch request requesting the dispatch of a vehicle 3 to transport baggage (i.e., a request requesting that baggage be transported by a vehicle 3). In the following description, a vehicle dispatch request requesting the dispatch of a vehicle 3 to transport baggage may be referred to as a "baggage transport request." The information on the baggage transport request may include identification information of the baggage, identification information of a recipient to whom the baggage is to be delivered, a loading point where the baggage will be loaded onto the vehicle 3, and information on an unloading point where the baggage will be unloaded from the vehicle 3.

[0018] In this specification, the term "recipient" is used to include not only individuals, but also companies, organizations, groups, etc. to which the package is to be delivered. Furthermore, the loading point and unloading point may be collectively referred to as the "loading and unloading point." The package transport request information may include attribute information of the package. The attribute information may be information on the quantity (i.e., number, weight, size), shape, and type (contents) of the package. The package transport request information may also include the desired time for loading and unloading the package at the loading and unloading point.

[0019] The loading / drop-off / boarding point DB 24 stores information on candidate loading / drop-off points, as well as candidate boarding points where passengers can board the vehicle 3 and candidate disembarking points where passengers can disembark. Note that boarding points and disembarking points may be collectively referred to as "boarding / drop-off points." For example, the information on the loading / drop-off points may include address information and coordinate information (e.g., latitude and longitude) of the loading / drop-off point. The information on the loading / drop-off points may also include basic loading / drop-off cost information that serves as the basis for calculating the time required to load and unload luggage at the loading / drop-off point. The basic loading / drop-off cost information may be, for example, information on whether or not a cart can be used at the loading / drop-off point, or attribute information of the loading / drop-off point.

[0020] For example, the attribute information of the loading and unloading point may be information on whether or not there is a recipient's staff member who will receive the package at the loading and unloading point, or information on the recipient's package receiving system. For example, the attribute information of the loading and unloading point may be facility information at the loading and unloading point (e.g., information on whether or not there is a dedicated space for loading and unloading the package). Furthermore, the basic loading and unloading cost information may be information on the time required for the recipient's staff member who will receive the package to travel from the recipient's facility to the loading and unloading point, information on the travel distance from the recipient's facility to the loading and unloading point, information on the travel distance and travel time from a point where the vehicle 3 can stop at the loading and unloading point to the recipient's delivery destination, or information on the work items and work time for loading and unloading at the loading and unloading point.

[0021] The loading and unloading cost basic information may also include actual information on the time required to actually load and unload luggage at the loading and unloading points in the past. Meanwhile, the information on candidate passenger boarding and alighting points may include addresses and coordinate information (e.g., latitude and longitude) of the candidate boarding and alighting points. Furthermore, the information on candidate boarding and alighting points may also include actual information on the time required for passengers to board and alight at the boarding and alighting points in the past.

[0022] The vehicle information DB 25 stores vehicle information, which is information relating to vehicles 3 used to transport passengers and / or luggage. The vehicle information may include, for example, identification information of the vehicles 3 and current location information of the vehicles 3. The vehicle allocation plan DB 26 stores a vehicle allocation plan for each vehicle 3 based on a vehicle allocation request. The vehicle allocation plan includes a driving route for the vehicle 3 to travel based on the vehicle allocation request.

[0023] For example, the vehicle dispatch plan may include a driving route for driving the vehicle 3 based on a passenger transportation request. In this case, the vehicle dispatch plan may include, for example, a driving route from the current position of the vehicle 3, which is the starting point, to the passenger boarding point (hereinafter, this may be referred to as a "pick-up route"), and a driving route from the passenger boarding point to the passenger disembarking point. The vehicle dispatch plan may include information on the estimated arrival times at each of the boarding point and the disembarking point.

[0024] When transporting passengers and luggage together, the vehicle dispatch plan may include a driving route that passes through a luggage loading and unloading point on the pick-up route, or a driving route that passes through a luggage loading and unloading point between the passenger boarding point and the disembarking point. Also, when transporting only luggage, the vehicle dispatch plan may include, for example, a driving route from the current position of the starting vehicle 3 to the loading point where the luggage is loaded, or a driving route from the loading point where the luggage is loaded to the unloading point where the luggage is unloaded.

[0025] The controller 27 is a computing device that executes information processing in the control device 2. The controller 27 may include a processor 28 and peripheral components such as a storage device 29. The processor 28 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro-processing unit (MPU). The storage device 29 may include any of a semiconductor storage device, a magnetic storage device, and an optical storage device. The storage device 29 may include memories such as a register, a cache memory, and a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM) used as a main storage device. The functions of the controller 27 described below are realized, for example, by the processor 28 executing a computer program stored in the storage device 29. The functions and processing of the controller 27 will be described later.

[0026] Vehicle 3 is a vehicle that operates in response to requests from passengers of a passenger transportation service (a so-called on-demand transportation vehicle), and may be, for example, a shared taxi or a robot taxi. For example, vehicle 3 may be a manually operated vehicle that is driven by a driver (human) according to a vehicle dispatch plan transmitted from control device 2. In this case, vehicle 3 can prompt the driver to operate vehicle 3 in accordance with the vehicle dispatch plan by presenting the vehicle dispatch plan transmitted from control device 2 to the driver. Furthermore, for example, vehicle 3 may be an autonomous vehicle that is automatically driven by controller 35 without the involvement of a driver.

[0027] The vehicle 3 includes a sensor 30, a positioning device 31, a map database (map DB) 32, a communication device 33, a terminal device 34, a controller 35, and an actuator 38. The sensor 30 includes an object sensor that detects objects around the vehicle 3 and a vehicle sensor that detects various information (vehicle state) obtained from the vehicle 3. The object sensor detects the surrounding environment of the vehicle 3, such as the relative position between the vehicle 3 and an object present around the vehicle 3, the distance between the vehicle 3 and the object, and the direction in which the object is present. The object sensor may include, for example, a camera that captures the surrounding environment of the vehicle 3. Furthermore, for example, the object sensor may include a ranging device such as a laser range finder (LRF), radar, or LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) laser radar. The object sensor outputs surrounding environment information, which is information about the detected surrounding environment of the vehicle 3, to the controller 35.

[0028] The vehicle sensors may include, for example, a vehicle speed sensor that detects the traveling speed (vehicle speed) of the vehicle 3, a wheel speed sensor that detects the rotational speed of each tire equipped on the vehicle 3, a three-axis acceleration sensor (G sensor) that detects the acceleration (including deceleration) in three axial directions of the vehicle 3, a steering angle sensor that detects the steering angle (including the turning angle), a gyro sensor that detects the angular velocity generated in the vehicle 3, and a yaw rate sensor that detects the yaw rate. The vehicle sensors output vehicle state information to the controller 35.

[0029] The positioning device 31 measures the current position and attitude of the vehicle 3. The positioning device 31 may include, for example, a Global Navigation System (GNSS) receiver. The GNSS receiver may be, for example, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. The positioning device 31 may also include an inertial navigation system. The positioning device 31 outputs current position information of the measured current position to the controller 35. The controller 35 transmits identification information and current position information of the vehicle 3 to the control device 2 via the communication device 33. The map DB 32 stores map information. The map information may include navigation map data and high-precision map data suitable as a map for autonomous driving (hereinafter simply referred to as "high-precision map"). The communication device 33 provides a communication function between the vehicle 3 and an external device. The communication method used by the communication device 33 may be, for example, wireless communication via a public mobile communication network, satellite communication, road-to-vehicle communication, etc. The vehicle 3 transmits and receives data to and from the control device 2 via the communication device 33.

[0030] The terminal device 34 is an interface device that exchanges information with the driver of the vehicle 3 or the delivery person. For example, the terminal device 34 includes a display device that outputs visual information output from the controller 35, and a speaker or buzzer that outputs alarm sounds, notification sounds, and audio information. For example, when the vehicle 3 is manually driven by the driver, the terminal device 34 may present information on the dispatch plan transmitted from the control device 2. The terminal device 34 may also be provided as an interface that provides information to passengers aboard the vehicle 3. The terminal device 34 is an example of a "terminal device" as defined in the claims.

[0031] The controller 35 is an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the vehicle 3. The controller 35 includes a processor 36 and peripheral components such as a storage device 37. The processor 36 may be, for example, a CPU or an MPU. The storage device 37 may include non-transitory tangible storage media such as a register, a cache memory, or a memory such as a ROM or RAM used as a main storage device. The functions of the controller 35 described below are realized, for example, by the processor 36 executing a computer program stored in the storage device 37.

[0032] For example, when the vehicle 3 is an autonomous vehicle, the controller 35 performs autonomous driving control to make the vehicle 3 travel in accordance with the vehicle dispatch plan transmitted from the control device 2, based on the surrounding environment information and vehicle state information from the sensor 30, the positioning results of the positioning device 31, and the high-precision map in the map DB 32. For example, the controller 35 calculates a target travel trajectory for the vehicle 3 to travel, based on the current position and attitude of the vehicle 3, the travel route included in the vehicle dispatch plan, the high-precision map, and the surrounding environment of the vehicle 3.

[0033] In addition, the controller 35 generates, for example, a route space map that represents the route around the vehicle 3 and the presence or absence of objects, and a risk map that quantifies the degree of danger during driving, and generates a target driving trajectory based on the motion characteristics of the vehicle 3, vehicle state information, the route space map, and the risk map. The controller 35 then drives the actuators 38 so that the vehicle 3 drives along the generated target driving trajectory. The actuators 38 operate the steering device, drive device, and braking device of the vehicle 3 in response to control signals from the controller 35 to generate vehicle behavior of the vehicle 3, thereby automatically driving the vehicle 3. The actuators 38 include a steering actuator, an accelerator opening actuator, and a brake control actuator.

[0034] The first electronic device 4 is an information processing device used by passengers who are users of the passenger transportation service. The first electronic device 4 is, for example, a portable personal digital assistant (PDA) or a small, easily portable computer. The first electronic device 4 is another example of a "terminal device" as defined in the claims. The first electronic device 4 includes a communication device 40, a human-machine interface (HMI) 41, and a controller 42. The communication device 40 provides communication between the first electronic device 4 and an external device. The communication method used by the communication device 40 may be, for example, wireless communication via a public mobile communication network or satellite communication. The first electronic device 4 transmits and receives data to and from the control device 2 via the communication device 40. The HMI 41 is an interface device that transmits and receives information between the first electronic device 4 and passengers. The HMI 41 includes a display device visible to passengers, as well as a speaker or buzzer that outputs alarms, notification sounds, and audio information. The HMI 41 also includes an operator and a voice input device that accepts operational inputs from passengers to the first electronic device 4. The operator may be a button, a switch, a lever, a dial, a keyboard, a touch panel, or the like.

[0035] The controller 42 is an electronic control unit that controls the operation of the first electronic device 4. The controller 42 includes a processor 43 and peripheral components such as a storage device 44. The processor 43 may be, for example, a CPU or an MPU. The storage device 44 may include a memory such as a ROM or RAM used as a main storage device, or a non-transitory tangible storage medium such as a memory register or cache memory.

[0036] Before reserving a passenger transportation service, a passenger may install dedicated application software for using the vehicle dispatch system 1 in advance on the first electronic device 4 and make a reservation using the dedicated application software. In the following description, "dedicated application software" will be simply referred to as "dedicated software." Alternatively, a passenger may use the browser function of the first electronic device 4 to reserve a passenger transportation service on a website that accepts reservations for passenger transportation services over the Internet.

[0037] The first electronic device 4 accepts input operations by passengers on the HMI 41 regarding reservations for passenger transportation services. For example, the passenger inputs information about the passenger's identification information, desired boarding point, and desired disembarking point. The passenger also inputs information about the passenger's attributes and the acceptable conditions for loading and disembarking costs. The controller 42 generates a passenger transportation request for applying for a reservation for passenger transportation services based on the information input by the passenger.

[0038] The controller 42 transmits information on the passenger transportation request to the control device 2 via the communication device 40. The control device 2 stores the information on the passenger transportation request in the passenger information DB 22. When the control device 2 sets a vehicle dispatch plan for the passenger transportation request, it transmits information on the travel route for transporting passengers to the first electronic device 4. For example, the controller 2 transmits information on the boarding point where passengers can board the vehicle 3, the scheduled arrival time of the vehicle 3 at the boarding point (i.e., the scheduled boarding time), the disembarking point where passengers can disembark from the vehicle 3, and the scheduled arrival time of the vehicle 3 at the disembarking point (i.e., the scheduled disembarking time). The HMI 41 presents this information to passengers.

[0039] The second electronic device 5 is an information processing device used by a delivery requester who generates a package transport request. The delivery requester may be, for example, a package delivery company that requests package transport from a transport service company that operates the vehicle dispatch system 1, or an individual user. The delivery requester may also be an operator who belongs to the transport service company that operates the vehicle dispatch system 1 and is in charge of package delivery arrangements. The second electronic device 5 is another example of a "terminal device" as defined in the claims.

[0040] The second electronic device 5 includes a communication device 50, an HMI 51, and a controller 52. The communication device 50 provides a communication function between the second electronic device 5 and an external device. The communication method used by the communication device 50 may be, for example, wireless communication via a public mobile communication network, satellite communication, etc. The second electronic device 5 transmits and receives data to and from the control device 2 via the communication device 50.

[0041] The HMI 51 is an interface device that exchanges information between the second electronic device 5 and the delivery requester. The HMI 51 includes a display device that can be seen by the delivery requester, and a speaker or buzzer that outputs alarm sounds, notification sounds, and audio information. The HMI 51 also includes controls and a voice input device that accept operational inputs to the second electronic device 5 by the delivery requester. The controls may be buttons, switches, levers, dials, keyboards, touch panels, etc.

[0042] The controller 52 is an electronic control unit that controls the operation of the second electronic device 5. The controller 52 includes a processor 53 and peripheral components such as a storage device 54. The processor 53 may be, for example, a CPU or an MPU. The storage device 54 may include a memory such as a ROM or RAM used as a main storage device, or a non-transitory tangible storage medium such as a memory register or cache memory.

[0043] When generating a parcel transport request, the second electronic device 5 accepts input operations on the HMI 51 by the delivery requester. For example, the delivery requester inputs parcel attribute information, recipient identification information, and information on the loading point where the parcel will be loaded and the unloading point where the parcel will be unloaded (i.e., the parcel loading and unloading point). If there is a desired time for loading and unloading the parcel (i.e., the time when the vehicle 3 will collect the parcel or the time when the parcel will be delivered), the desired time information is input. The controller 52 generates a parcel transport request based on the information input by the delivery requester. The controller 52 transmits information on the parcel transport request to the control device 2 via the communication device 50. The control device 2 stores the information on the parcel transport request in the parcel information DB 23.

[0044] 2 is a block diagram of an example of the functional configuration of the controller 27 of the control device 2. The controller 27 includes a vehicle dispatch request receiving unit 60, a vehicle information receiving unit 61, a vehicle dispatch request information acquiring unit 62, a loading / unloading point setting unit 63, a travel route calculation unit 64, a cost calculation unit 65, a vehicle dispatch plan setting unit 66, a route change notification unit 67, and a travel route instruction unit 68. The vehicle dispatch request receiving unit 60 receives passenger transportation request information transmitted from the first electronic device 4 via the communication device 20.

[0045] The vehicle dispatch request reception unit 60 also receives information on a luggage transport request transmitted from the second electronic device 5 via the communication device 20. The vehicle dispatch request reception unit 60 stores the received passenger transport request and luggage transport request information in the passenger information DB 22 and luggage information DB 23, respectively. The vehicle information reception unit 61 receives identification information and current location information of the vehicle 3 from the vehicle 3 and stores them in the vehicle information DB 25.

[0046] The dispatch request information acquisition unit 62 acquires, from the passenger information DB 22, any information on a passenger transportation request for which a vehicle 3 has not yet been dispatched. For convenience of explanation, the passenger of the passenger transportation request acquired here will be referred to as the "first passenger." The loading / drop-off / disembarking point setting unit 63 sets a boarding point where the first passenger will board the vehicle 3 and a disembarking point where the first passenger will disembark from the vehicle 3. For example, the boarding point where the first passenger will board and a disembarking point where the first passenger will disembark are set based on the desired boarding point and desired disembarking point of the passenger transportation request acquired by the dispatch request information acquisition unit 62 and information on candidate boarding / disembarking points stored in the loading / disembarking / disembarking point DB 24. For example, any candidate closest to the desired boarding point and desired disembarking point may be selected as the boarding point and disembarking point, respectively, from among the candidate boarding / disembarking points stored in the loading / disembarking / disembarking point DB 24.

[0047] The travel route calculation unit 64 selects a vehicle 3 to be dispatched in response to a passenger transportation request. For example, the travel route calculation unit 64 may select a vehicle 3 that is present within a predetermined distance from the boarding point set by the loading / unloading / boarding point setting unit 63, or a vehicle 3 that is closest to the boarding point. The travel route calculation unit 64 calculates a travel route for the vehicle 3 to travel based on the passenger transportation request. Specifically, it calculates a pick-up route, which is a travel route from the current position of the selected vehicle 3 to the boarding point set by the loading / unloading / boarding point setting unit 63, and a travel route from the boarding point set by the loading / unloading / boarding point setting unit 63 to the drop-off point.

[0048] The travel route calculation unit 64 may calculate these travel routes so as to be the shortest route (so as to minimize the cost) using an algorithm such as the A* route search method or the Dijkstra algorithm. In the following description, the travel route calculated by the travel route calculation unit 64 based on the information on the boarding point and the information on the disembarking point in the passenger transportation request will be referred to as the "first travel route." The travel route calculation unit 64 calculates the estimated travel time from the current position of the vehicle 3 to the boarding point and the estimated travel time from the boarding point to the disembarking point. Based on these estimated travel times, the travel route calculation unit 64 calculates the estimated arrival times at which the vehicle 3 will arrive at the boarding point and the disembarking point, respectively.

[0049] The dispatch plan setting unit 66 stores information on the first travel route, the estimated travel time, and the scheduled arrival time in the dispatch plan DB 26 as a dispatch plan for the vehicle 3. In addition, the dispatch plan setting unit 66 transmits information on the travel route to the first electronic device 4 of the first passenger. For example, the dispatch plan setting unit 66 transmits information on a boarding point where the first passenger can board the vehicle 3, the scheduled arrival time of the vehicle 3 at the boarding point, the disembarking point where the first passenger can disembark from the vehicle 3, and the scheduled arrival time of the vehicle 3 at the disembarking point. The controller 42 of the first electronic device 4 may present the received information to the first passenger by outputting it from the HMI 41.

[0050] The travel route instruction unit 68 transmits the first travel route stored in the vehicle dispatch plan DB 26 to the vehicle 3. When the vehicle 3 is manually driven by the driver, the controller 35 of the vehicle 3 presents the information on the first travel route transmitted from the control device 2 on the terminal device 34. For example, the information on the first travel route is displayed on the terminal device 34. This makes it possible to prompt the driver to drive the vehicle 3 along the first travel route.

[0051] When the vehicle 3 is traveling under automatic driving control, the controller 35 of the vehicle 3 performs automatic driving control to cause the vehicle 3 to travel along the first driving route transmitted from the control device 2 based on the surrounding environment information and vehicle condition information from the sensor 30, the positioning results of the positioning device 31, and the high-precision map of the map DB 32.

[0052] Next, the dispatch request information acquisition unit 62 acquires baggage transport request information of candidates for baggage to be transported mixed with the first passenger from the baggage information DB 23. In the following description, baggage to be transported mixed with the first passenger may be referred to as "mixed baggage." For example, the dispatch request information acquisition unit 62 selects, as candidates for mixed baggage, baggage transport requests for which the vehicle 3 has not yet been dispatched, baggage for which the loading point where the baggage is loaded is within a predetermined distance from the first traveling route, and extracts information on the loading and unloading points of the candidates for mixed baggage.

[0053] Furthermore, for example, when selecting a vehicle 3 to be dispatched to the first passenger, the driving route calculation unit 64 may select a vehicle that already has luggage loaded before the first passenger boards. In the following description, luggage that is already loaded in the vehicle 3 before the first passenger boards is referred to as "loaded luggage." The dispatch request information acquisition unit 62 may acquire luggage transportation request information for the loaded luggage from the luggage information DB 23. The driving route calculation unit 64 may extract information on an unloading point for the loaded luggage, where the loading and unloading point for unloading the loaded luggage from the vehicle 3 is within a predetermined distance from the first driving route.

[0054] The cost calculation unit 65 calculates the loading / unloading cost incurred by the first passenger by loading the candidate mixed cargo onto the vehicle 3 and / or unloading the cargo from the vehicle 3 at the loading / unloading point of the candidate mixed cargo. And / or the cost calculation unit 65 calculates the loading / unloading cost incurred by the first passenger by unloading the loaded cargo from the vehicle 3 at the loading / unloading point of the loaded cargo. For example, the cost calculation unit 65 acquires basic loading / unloading cost information at these loading / unloading points from the loading / unloading point DB 24. The cost calculation unit 65 calculates the time required to load and unload the cargo at the loading / unloading point as the loading / unloading cost based on the basic loading / unloading cost information.

[0055] For example, the cost calculation unit 65 may calculate the required time for loading and unloading depending on whether a dolly is available. For example, at a loading and unloading point where a dolly cannot be used, the required time may be calculated to be longer than at a loading and unloading point where a dolly can be used. Furthermore, for example, the cost calculation unit 65 may calculate the required time for loading and unloading depending on attribute information of the loading and unloading point. For example, at a loading and unloading point where there is no staff on the recipient's side to receive the package, the required time may be calculated to be longer than at a loading and unloading point where there is staff. Furthermore, for example, the required time for loading and unloading may be calculated depending on the recipient's package receiving system and facility information at the loading and unloading point. For example, at a loading and unloading point where there is no dedicated space for loading and unloading the package, the required time may be calculated to be longer than at a loading and unloading point where there is a dedicated space.

[0056] Furthermore, the time required for loading and unloading may be calculated based on the time required for the recipient's staff to travel from the recipient's facility to the loading and unloading point, the travel distance from the recipient's facility to the loading and unloading point, and the travel distance and travel time from a point at which the vehicle 3 can stop at the loading and unloading point to the recipient's delivery destination. For loading and unloading points where the required time, travel time, or travel distance is long, the calculated required time may be longer than for loading and unloading points where the required time, travel time, or travel distance is short.

[0057] Furthermore, for example, the required time for loading and unloading at the loading and unloading point may be calculated based on the work items and work time required for loading and unloading. For example, a longer required time may be calculated for a loading and unloading point with many work items than for a loading and unloading point with few work items. For example, a longer required time may be calculated for a loading and unloading point with long work times than for a loading and unloading point with few work items. Furthermore, for example, the cost calculation unit 65 may calculate the required time based on actual information on the required time required when actually loading and unloading cargo at the loading and unloading point in the past.

[0058] Furthermore, the cost calculation unit 65 may calculate the time required to load and unload luggage at the loading and unloading point based on information other than the loading and unloading cost basic information. For example, the cost calculation unit 65 may calculate the required time based on the attributes (e.g., age and gender) of the delivery person (e.g., the driver of the vehicle 3) who delivers the luggage in the vehicle 3. Furthermore, the cost calculation unit 65 may calculate the required time to load and unload luggage based on the amount, shape, or type of luggage to be loaded and unloaded at the loading and unloading point.

[0059] For example, at a loading / unloading point where a large amount of cargo is to be loaded / unloaded, a longer required time may be calculated than at a loading / unloading point where a small amount of cargo is to be loaded / unloaded. Furthermore, at a loading / unloading point where cargo requiring careful handling is to be loaded / unloaded, a longer required time may be calculated than at a loading / unloading point where this is not the case. Furthermore, for example, the cost calculation unit 65 may calculate the required time for loading / unloading cargo depending on the weather at the loading / unloading point. At a loading / unloading point with bad weather, a longer required time may be calculated than at a loading / unloading point with good weather.

[0060] The vehicle allocation plan setting unit 66 acquires information on the tolerance conditions for the loading and unloading costs incurred by the first passenger due to loading and unloading of luggage from the passenger information DB 22. For example, information on the upper limit of the waiting time during loading and unloading of luggage is acquired. The vehicle allocation plan setting unit 66 determines whether the loading and unloading costs at the loading and unloading points calculated by the cost calculation unit 65 satisfy the tolerance conditions for the first passenger. For example, it determines whether the time required for loading and unloading luggage at the loading and unloading points calculated by the cost calculation unit 65 is equal to or less than the upper limit of the waiting time during loading and unloading of luggage that the first passenger can tolerate. If the loading and unloading costs satisfy the tolerance conditions, the vehicle allocation plan setting unit 66 calculates a second traveling route by changing the first traveling route so that it passes through the loading and unloading point. If the loading and unloading costs do not satisfy the tolerance conditions, the first traveling route is not changed.

[0061] An example of loading and unloading costs and allowable conditions will be described with reference to Figures 3(a) and 3(b). Assume that vehicle 3 is currently traveling from its current location to a disembarkation point with a first passenger on board. Here, the dispatch request information acquisition unit 62 extracts loading and unloading points A, B, and C as shown in Figure 3(a) as loading and unloading points for mixed cargo. As shown in Figure 3(b), the cost calculation unit 65 calculates the required times for loading and unloading the cargo at loading and unloading points A to C as "5 minutes," "4 minutes," and "8 minutes," respectively.

[0062] The vehicle dispatch plan setting unit 66 assumes the following candidates for the route from the current location to the drop-off point via the loading and unloading points. First route candidate: current location - loading and unloading point A - loading and unloading point C - loading and unloading point B - drop-off point Second route candidate: current location - loading and unloading point A - loading and unloading point C - drop-off point Third route candidate: current location - loading and unloading point A - loading and unloading point B - drop-off point Fourth route candidate: current location - loading and unloading point C - loading and unloading point B - drop-off point

[0063] In this case, the total times required for loading and unloading luggage when traveling along the first to fourth route candidates are 17 minutes, 13 minutes, 9 minutes, and 12 minutes, respectively. If the upper limit of the first passenger's tolerable waiting time during loading and unloading of luggage is 10 minutes, the third route candidate satisfies the tolerance condition. Therefore, the dispatch plan setting unit 66 selects the third route candidate as the second traveling route and changes the traveling route of the vehicle 3 from the first traveling route to the second traveling route. If there is no route candidate that satisfies the tolerance condition, the traveling route of the vehicle 3 is not changed from the first traveling route.

[0064] Furthermore, for example, the cost calculation unit 65 may calculate, as the loading / unloading cost, a delay time that the vehicle 3 is delayed in arriving at the boarding point or the disembarking point due to loading / unloading of luggage. For example, as shown in Figure 3, it is assumed that the travel time for the vehicle 3 to travel along the first travel route from the current point to the passenger boarding / unloading point is "6 minutes", the travel time from the current point to loading / unloading point A is "2 minutes", the travel time from the current point to loading / unloading point C is "3 minutes", the travel time from loading / unloading point A to loading / unloading point B is "3 minutes", the travel time from loading / unloading point A to loading / unloading point C is "2 minutes", the travel time from loading / unloading point C to loading / unloading point B is "4 minutes", the travel time from loading / unloading point B to the boarding / unloading point is "1 minute", and the travel time from loading / unloading point C to the boarding / unloading point is "4 minutes".

[0065] In this case, the required times for traveling along the first to fourth route candidates, loading and unloading luggage at each loading and unloading point, and then traveling from the current location to the boarding and unloading point are 26 minutes, 21 minutes, 15 minutes, and 20 minutes, respectively. Therefore, compared to the required time (6 minutes) for traveling along the first travel route, the delay times for vehicle 3 arriving at the boarding and unloading point due to loading and unloading luggage are 20 minutes, 15 minutes, 9 minutes, and 14 minutes, respectively.

[0066] Here, if the upper limit of the delay time that the first passenger can tolerate in arriving at the boarding / disembarking point due to loading and unloading of luggage is "14 minutes," the third route candidate or the fourth route candidate satisfies the tolerance condition. Therefore, the vehicle allocation plan setting unit 66 selects the third route candidate or the fourth route candidate as the second traveling route. For example, the vehicle allocation plan setting unit 66 may select the third route candidate, which has the shortest delay time, from the third route candidate or the fourth route candidate.

[0067] If a desired time for loading and unloading the luggage is specified, the cost calculation unit 65 may calculate a delay time by which the vehicle 3 will be delayed in arriving at the loading and unloading point based on the desired time for loading and unloading the luggage. For example, the delay time may be calculated to include a waiting time for the vehicle 3 to arrive at or stay at the loading and unloading point at the desired time.

[0068] Furthermore, for example, the cost calculation unit 65 may calculate the number of times that the vehicle 3 stops to load and unload luggage while passengers are aboard the vehicle 3. In this case, the number of times the vehicle 3 stops when traveling along the first route candidate to the fourth route candidate and loading and unloading luggage at each loading and unloading point will be "3 times," "2 times," "2 times," and "2 times," respectively. If the upper limit for the first passenger that can tolerate the number of stops for loading and unloading luggage is "2 times," the second route candidate to the fourth route candidate satisfy the tolerance condition. Therefore, the vehicle allocation plan setting unit 66 selects the second route candidate to the fourth route candidate as the second traveling route.

[0069] The vehicle dispatch plan setting unit 66 may combine multiple allowable conditions and calculate a second travel route by changing the first travel route so that the first travel route passes through the loading and unloading point if the loading and unloading cost satisfies all of the allowable conditions. For example, the vehicle dispatch plan setting unit 66 may select, as the second travel route, a third route candidate that satisfies all of the following: an upper limit of 10 minutes for waiting time during loading and unloading of luggage, an upper limit of 14 minutes for delay time in arriving at the loading and unloading point due to loading and unloading of luggage, and an upper limit of two times for the number of stops for loading and unloading of luggage, and change the travel route of the vehicle 3 from the first travel route to the second travel route.

[0070] Furthermore, the dispatch plan setting unit 66 may prioritize driving directly to the passenger's pick-up point over loading luggage on the pick-up route to the passenger's pick-up point. For example, regardless of whether the loading and unloading cost for loading luggage satisfies the first passenger's tolerance condition, the pick-up route may not be changed to pass through the loading and unloading point to load luggage. This can reduce delays in the arrival of the vehicle 3 at the pick-up point, thereby facilitating passengers boarding the vehicle 3.

[0071] Furthermore, for example, if a loading / unloading point where luggage loaded on the vehicle 3 is to be unloaded is on the pick-up route and the loading / unloading cost for unloading the luggage satisfies the tolerance condition of the first passenger, the dispatch plan setting unit 66 may change the pick-up route to pass through this loading / unloading point. This reduces the luggage loaded on the vehicle 3 at the time the passenger gets on, thereby improving passenger comfort.

[0072] See FIG. 2 . Furthermore, the vehicle dispatch request information acquisition unit 62 acquires passenger transportation request information of candidates for other passengers who will share a ride with the first passenger from the passenger information DB 22. In the following description, the other passenger who will share a ride with the first passenger may be referred to as a "second passenger." For example, the vehicle dispatch request information acquisition unit 62 selects, as candidates for the second passenger, passengers of passenger transportation requests for which the vehicle 3 has not yet been dispatched, whose boarding points are within a predetermined distance from the first traveling route, and acquires information on the boarding and disembarking points of the candidates for the second passenger.

[0073] As in the case of the first passenger, the boarding point and disembarking point of the second passenger may be determined based on the desired boarding point and desired disembarking point in the passenger transportation request and information on the candidate boarding and disembarking points stored in the loading / disembarking / boarding and disembarking point DB 24. The cost calculation unit 65 calculates the boarding and disembarking cost incurred by the first passenger when the second passenger gets on and off the vehicle 3 at the boarding and disembarking point of the second passenger.

[0074] For example, the cost calculation unit 65 acquires from the loading / drop-off / boarding / disembarking point DB 24 performance information on the required time when a passenger actually boarded or disembarked at the boarding / disembarking point of the second passenger in the past. The cost calculation unit 65 may calculate, based on the performance information, the required time for the second passenger to board or disembark at the boarding / disembarking point as the boarding / disembarking cost. The cost calculation unit 65 may also calculate, as the boarding / disembarking cost, the delay time caused by the second passenger boarding or disembarking, which delays arrival at the boarding / disembarking point. The cost calculation unit 65 may also calculate, as the boarding / disembarking cost, the number of times the vehicle 3 stops for the second passenger to board or disembark.

[0075] The vehicle allocation plan setting unit 66 determines whether the boarding and alighting cost at the boarding and alighting point calculated by the cost calculation unit 65 satisfies the tolerance condition for the first passenger. If the boarding and alighting cost satisfies the tolerance condition, the vehicle allocation plan setting unit 66 calculates a second driving route by changing the first driving route so that it passes through the boarding and alighting point of the second passenger. If the boarding and alighting cost does not satisfy the tolerance condition, the first driving route is not changed.

[0076] The vehicle allocation plan setting unit 66 stores the calculated second driving route in the vehicle allocation plan DB 26 as a vehicle allocation plan for the vehicle 3. The driving route instruction unit 68 transmits the second driving route stored in the vehicle allocation plan DB 26 to the vehicle 3. When the vehicle 3 is manually driven by the driver, the controller 35 of the vehicle 3 presents information about the second driving route transmitted from the control device 2 on the terminal device 34. When the vehicle 3 travels under automatic driving control, the controller 35 of the vehicle 3 executes automatic driving control to cause the vehicle 3 to travel along the second driving route transmitted from the control device 2.

[0077] When the driving route of the vehicle 3 is changed from the first driving route to the second driving route, the route change notification unit 67 transmits a route change notification notifying the first passenger of the change in the first driving route. For example, the route change notification may be a notification notifying the first passenger of the number of stops or the duration of stops required for loading and unloading luggage or for loading and unloading a second passenger. For example, the route change notification unit 67 may transmit the route change notification at the timing when the vehicle dispatch plan setting unit 66 changes the driving route of the vehicle 3 from the first driving route to the second driving route.

[0078] The controller 42 of the first electronic device 4 outputs the route change notification transmitted from the route change notification unit 67 from the HMI 41 to notify the first passenger of the route change notification. For example, the route change notification may be displayed on the display device of the HMI 41, or audio information of the route change notification may be output from the speaker of the HMI 41. Furthermore, if the terminal device 34 of the vehicle 3 can be used as an interface for providing information to passengers, the route change notification unit 67 may output the route change notification to the vehicle 3. The controller 35 of the vehicle 3 outputs the route change notification transmitted from the route change notification unit 67 from the terminal device 34 to notify the first passenger of the route change notification. For example, the route change notification may be displayed on the display device of the terminal device 34, or audio information of the route change notification may be output from the speaker of the terminal device 34.

[0079] (Operation) Figure 4 is a flowchart of an example of the vehicle dispatch method of the present invention. In step S1, the vehicle dispatch request receiving unit 60 receives a passenger transportation request for a first passenger as a first vehicle dispatch request. In step S2, the loading / unloading / boarding point setting unit 63 selects a boarding point and a disembarking point for the first vehicle dispatch request. In step S3, the travel route calculation unit 64 calculates a first travel route for the first vehicle dispatch request.

[0080] In step S4, the dispatch plan setting unit 66 extracts information on the allowable conditions of the first passenger from the first dispatch request. In step S5, the dispatch request information acquisition unit 62 acquires baggage transport request information for candidates for mixed baggage or loaded baggage from the baggage information DB 23 as a second dispatch request. And / or acquires a passenger transport request for a candidate for the second passenger from the passenger information DB 22 as a second dispatch request. In step S6, the dispatch request information acquisition unit 62 extracts loading and unloading points and boarding and disembarking points from the second dispatch request.

[0081] In step S7, the cost calculation unit 65 performs an incurred cost estimation process. In the incurred cost estimation process, a loading / unloading cost incurred by the first passenger due to loading and unloading luggage at the loading / unloading point of the second dispatch request and a boarding / disembarking cost incurred by the first passenger due to the second passenger boarding and disembarking at the boarding / disembarking point of the second dispatch request are calculated. The incurred cost estimation process will be described in detail later. In step S8, the dispatch plan setting unit 66 determines whether the loading / unloading cost and the boarding / disembarking cost satisfy the allowable condition.

[0082] If the loading / unloading cost or the boarding / disembarking cost satisfies the allowable condition (step S8: Y), the process proceeds to step S10. If the loading / unloading cost or the boarding / disembarking cost does not satisfy the allowable condition (step S8: N), the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the travel route instruction unit 68 transmits the first travel route to the vehicle 3. As a result, the vehicle 3 travels along the first travel route. The process then ends.

[0083] In step S10, the travel route calculation unit 64 calculates a second travel route by modifying the first travel route so that it passes through loading and unloading points and boarding and disembarking points. In step S11, the route change notification unit 67 transmits a route change notification to the first electronic device 4 used by the first passenger, or to the vehicle 3. The first electronic device 4 or the terminal device 34 of the vehicle 3 outputs the route change notification. In step S12, the travel route instruction unit 68 transmits the second travel route to the vehicle 3. As a result, the vehicle 3 travels along the second travel route. The processing then ends.

[0084] 5 is a flowchart of an example of the incurred cost estimation process (step S7). In step S20, the cost calculation unit 65 determines whether the second vehicle dispatch request is a passenger transportation request. If the second vehicle dispatch request is a passenger transportation request (step S20: Y), the process proceeds to step S21. If the second vehicle dispatch request is a baggage transportation request (step S20: N), the process proceeds to step S22.

[0085] In step S21, the cost calculation unit 65 calculates the boarding and alighting cost based on actual information on the time required for boarding and alighting when a passenger actually boarded or alighted in the past at the boarding and alighting point of the second passenger. Then, the process proceeds to step S8 in FIG. 4. In step S22, the cost calculation unit 65 calculates the loading and alighting cost based on basic information on the loading and alighting cost at the loading and alighting point. The loading and alighting cost may be calculated based on actual information on the time required when actually loading and unloading luggage at the loading and alighting point in the past. Then, the process proceeds to step S8 in FIG. 4.

[0086] (Effects of the embodiment) (1) The controller 27 of the control device 2 executes the following processes: a process of acquiring information on a request to transport passengers as a first dispatch request; a process of acquiring information on a request to transport luggage as a second dispatch request; a process of calculating a first driving route, which is a driving route along which the vehicle 3 will travel based on the information on the first dispatch request; a process of acquiring information on loading and unloading points, which are points where luggage to be transported by the vehicle 3 will be loaded and unloaded, from the information on the second dispatch request; a process of calculating, in accordance with the loading and unloading points, an estimated value of a loading and unloading cost, which is the cost required to load and unload luggage to be transported by the vehicle 3 at the loading and unloading points between the start point and the end point of the first driving route; a process of calculating a second driving route by changing the first driving route to pass through the loading and unloading point if the loading and unloading cost satisfies a predetermined allowable condition; and a process of outputting a route change notification from the terminal device informing the user of the change in the first driving route.

[0087] In this way, the loading / unloading cost required to load and unload luggage is calculated according to the loading / unloading point, so the loading / unloading cost can be estimated more accurately. By determining whether to change the first traveling route to pass through the loading / unloading point based on the accurate loading / unloading cost, it is possible to prevent the cost incurred by the passenger of the first vehicle dispatch request for loading and unloading luggage from becoming excessive. As a result, it is possible to improve the quality of service for the passenger of the first vehicle dispatch request.

[0088] (2) The predetermined tolerance condition may be set for each passenger. This makes it possible to prohibit changing the first travel route to pass through the loading and unloading point if the tolerance condition for each passenger is not met. (3) The loading and unloading cost may be the time required to load and unload luggage at the loading and unloading point, or the delay time incurred when arriving at the boarding point where the passenger boards the vehicle 3 or the disembarking point where the passenger disembarks from the vehicle 3 due to loading and unloading luggage at the loading and unloading point. This makes it possible to calculate the cost incurred by the passenger of the first dispatch request due to loading and unloading luggage.

[0089] (4) The second dispatch request may include a desired time for loading and unloading the luggage at the loading and unloading point. The controller 27 may calculate a delay time based on the desired time. This allows for more accurate calculation of the loading and unloading cost. (5) The first driving route may include a pick-up route that travels to the passenger's boarding point. The controller 27 may not need to change the pick-up route to pass through the loading and unloading point where the luggage is loaded. This reduces delays in the arrival of the vehicle 3 at the boarding point, thereby facilitating passengers boarding the vehicle 3.

[0090] (6) The first travel route may include a pick-up route that travels to a passenger boarding point. If a loading / unloading point where luggage loaded on the vehicle 3 is unloaded is located on the pick-up route, the controller 27 may change the pick-up route to pass through the loading / unloading point. This reduces the luggage loaded on the vehicle 3 at the time the passenger boards, thereby improving passenger comfort.

[0091] (7) The route change notification may include at least one of the number of stops or the duration of stops required for loading and unloading luggage. This allows the passenger of the first dispatch request to estimate the loading and unloading costs required for loading and unloading luggage at the loading and unloading points. (8) The controller 27 may output the route change notification from the terminal device at the timing of changing the first traveling route to the second traveling route. This allows the passenger of the first dispatch request to be notified in advance that the traveling route will be changed to load and unload luggage at the loading and unloading points.

[0092] (9) The controller 27 may calculate the loading and unloading cost based on at least one of the past actual loading and unloading costs at the loading and unloading point, the attributes of the delivery person delivering the package using the vehicle 3, the quantity, shape, or type of package, whether a cart is used at the loading and unloading point, weather information, the attributes of the loading and unloading point, the time required for the recipient to travel to the package pickup point at the loading and unloading point, the travel distance or travel time from a possible stopping position at the loading and unloading point to the package delivery destination, or the loading and unloading work items at the loading and unloading point. This allows for more accurate calculation of the loading and unloading cost.

[0093] 1... Vehicle dispatch system, 2... Control device, 3... Vehicle, 4... First electronic device, 5... Second electronic device, 20, 33, 40, 50... Communication device, 21, 32... Map database, 22... Passenger information database, 23... Baggage information database, 24... Boarding and disembarking point database, 25... Vehicle information database, 26... Vehicle dispatch plan database, 27, 35, 42, 52... Controller, 28, 36, 43, 53... Processor, 29, 34, 44, 54... Storage device, 30... Sensor, 31... Positioning device, 34... Terminal device, 38... Actuator, 41, 51... Human-machine interface, 60... Vehicle dispatch request reception unit, 61... Vehicle information reception unit, 62... Vehicle dispatch request information acquisition unit, 63... Boarding and disembarking point setting unit, 64... Travel route calculation unit, 65... Cost calculation unit, 66... ​​Vehicle dispatch plan setting unit, 67... Route change notification unit, 68... Travel route instruction unit

Claims

1. obtaining information on a request to transport a passenger as a first ride request; A process of acquiring information on a request to transport luggage as a second vehicle dispatch request; A process of calculating a first driving route which is a driving route along which the vehicle is to travel based on information of the first vehicle dispatch request; A process of acquiring information on a loading and unloading point, which is a point where the luggage transported by the vehicle is loaded and unloaded, from information on the second vehicle dispatch request; A process of calculating an estimated value of a loading and unloading cost, which is a cost required to load and unload the cargo transported by the vehicle at the loading and unloading points between the start point and the end point of the first travel route, in accordance with the loading and unloading points; A process of calculating a second travel route by changing the first travel route that does not pass through the loading and unloading point to a second travel route that passes through the loading and unloading point when the loading and unloading cost satisfies a predetermined allowable condition; A process of outputting a route change notification from a terminal device notifying the user of a change in the first travel route; A vehicle dispatching device comprising at least one controller that executes the above-mentioned.

2. 2. The vehicle dispatching device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined permissible condition is set for each of the passengers.

3. The vehicle dispatch device according to claim 1, characterized in that the loading and unloading cost is the time required to load and unload the luggage at the loading and unloading point, or the delay time caused by a delay in arrival at the boarding point where the passenger boards the vehicle or the disembarking point where the passenger disembarks from the vehicle due to loading and unloading the luggage at the loading and unloading point.

4. the second dispatch request includes a desired time for loading and unloading the luggage at the loading and unloading point; The vehicle dispatching device according to claim 3 , wherein the controller calculates the delay time based on the desired time.

5. The first travel route includes a pick-up route that travels to a boarding point of the passenger, The controller does not change the pickup route to pass through the loading and unloading point where the baggage is loaded.

2. The vehicle dispatching device according to claim 1 .

6. The first travel route includes a pick-up route that travels to a boarding point of the passenger, When the loading and unloading point where the baggage loaded on the vehicle is unloaded is on the pick-up route, the controller changes the pick-up route so as to pass through the loading and unloading point.

2. The vehicle dispatching device according to claim 1 .

7. 2. The vehicle dispatching device according to claim 1, wherein the route change notification includes at least one of a number of stops and a duration of stops required for loading and unloading the luggage.

8. 2. The vehicle dispatching device according to claim 1, wherein the controller causes the terminal device to output the route change notification at a timing when the first travel route is changed to the second travel route.

9. The vehicle dispatch device of claim 1, characterized in that the controller calculates the loading and unloading cost based on at least one of the following: past actual loading and unloading costs at the loading and unloading point, attributes of the delivery person who delivers the package using the vehicle, the amount, shape or type of the package, whether a cart is used at the loading and unloading point, weather information, attributes of the loading and unloading point, the time required for a recipient to travel to a receiving point of the package at the loading and unloading point, the travel distance or travel time from a possible stopping position at the loading and unloading point to the delivery destination of the package, or the loading and unloading work items at the loading and unloading point.

10. Vehicles for use in mixed cargo and passenger transport services; at least one controller that executes the following processes: acquiring information on a request to transport passengers as a first dispatch request; acquiring information on a request to transport luggage as a second dispatch request; calculating a first driving route which is a driving route along which the vehicle will travel based on the information on the first dispatch request; acquiring information on loading and unloading points which are points where the luggage transported by the vehicle will be loaded and unloaded from the information on the second dispatch request; calculating an estimated value of a loading and unloading cost which is a cost required to load and unload the luggage transported by the vehicle at the loading and unloading points between a start point and an end point of the first driving route in accordance with the loading and unloading points; and calculating a second driving route by changing the first driving route which does not pass through the loading and unloading points so as to pass through the loading and unloading points when the loading and unloading cost satisfies a predetermined allowable condition; a terminal device that outputs a route change notification to inform the passenger that the first travel route will be changed; A vehicle dispatch system comprising:

11. obtaining information on a request to transport a passenger as a first ride request; A process of acquiring information on a request to transport luggage as a second vehicle dispatch request; A process of calculating a first driving route which is a driving route along which the vehicle is to travel based on information of the first vehicle dispatch request; A process of acquiring information on a loading and unloading point, which is a point where the luggage transported by the vehicle is loaded and unloaded, from information on the second vehicle dispatch request; A process of calculating an estimated value of a loading and unloading cost, which is a cost required to load and unload the cargo transported by the vehicle at the loading and unloading points between the start point and the end point of the first travel route, in accordance with the loading and unloading points; A process of calculating a second travel route by changing the first travel route that does not pass through the loading and unloading point to a second travel route that passes through the loading and unloading point when the loading and unloading cost satisfies a predetermined allowable condition; A process of outputting a route change notification from a terminal device notifying the user of a change in the first travel route; The vehicle dispatch method is characterized in that at least one controller executes the above.