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

Abstract

Provided is a collection and delivery relay point determination device for determining relay points where a collection and delivery means and a relay transportation means transfer collection and delivery items in a collection and delivery area, said collection and delivery relay point determination device comprising a processor which: reads relay point candidates, a collection and delivery area population density, which indicates the population density of a collection and delivery area including collection and delivery destinations, and a handling occurrence rate; calculates a relay point interval using the collection and delivery area population density and the handling occurrence rate; divides the collection and delivery area on the basis of the relay point interval and sets up a plurality of collection and delivery sections; sets, for each collection and delivery section, the location of a relay point from among the relay point candidates; and outputs the locations of the relay points. This makes it possible to reduce the cost of collection and delivery operations.

Description

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

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

[0002] In recent years, the practical application of air vehicles such as drones in logistics has progressed, and for example, the system described in Patent Document 1 is known.

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

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-097444

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

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

[0007] Some areas requiring collection and delivery services have low population density, are located far from collection and delivery centers, and are connected by narrow roads. In such cases, the low population density means that the distances between collection and delivery centers are long, and therefore the distances between collection and delivery points are also long. In addition, roads are often poorly maintained, necessitating long-distance transportation via narrow roads. Furthermore, the only transportation methods that can traverse narrow roads are small vehicles with low load capacity (weight). In other words, collection and delivery requires repeated round trips between collection and delivery centers and collection and delivery points, which hinders cost reduction.

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

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

[0010] The present application includes multiple means for solving the above-mentioned problems, and one example is a collection and delivery relay point determination device that determines relay points in a collection and delivery area where a collection and delivery means and a relay transportation means transfer items to be collected and delivered, and is equipped with a processor, wherein the processor reads relay point candidates, a collection and delivery area population density indicating the population density of the collection and delivery area including the collection and delivery destination, and a handling occurrence rate, calculates relay point intervals using the collection and delivery area population density and the handling occurrence rate, divides the collection and delivery area based on the relay point intervals, sets a plurality of collection and delivery sections, sets the position of a relay point from the relay point candidates for each collection and delivery section, and outputs the positions of the relay points.

[0011] According to the present invention, costs of collection and delivery operations can be reduced.

[0012] 10 is a diagram showing a basic collection and delivery process. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the total handling weight in a collection and delivery area and the handling means and load capacity. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a collection and delivery relay point determination device in a collection and delivery system together with related configuration. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a relay point determination process. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a case where an equilateral triangle is used as a regular polygon that can be used for regular plane tessellation. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a case where a square is used as a regular polygon that can be used for regular plane tessellation. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a case where a regular hexagon is used as a regular polygon that can be used for regular plane tessellation. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a relay point determination process for determining relay points by a collection and delivery relay point determination device. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a case where a collection and delivery area is set using a regular plane tessellation with squares, and relay points are set. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a case where a collection and delivery area (mesh) and relay points are set when the population density is ¼ compared to the case of FIG. 9. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the population density of a collection and delivery area and the installation density of relay points. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of differences in the usage status of relay points when collection and delivery demand varies from day to day. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of differences in the usage status of relay points when collection and delivery demand varies from day to day. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a case where some or all of a plurality of relay points are visited multiple times to transfer delivery items on a day of high demand. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of relay points when the width of a delivery area is less than the interval between relay points. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of relay points when the width of a delivery area is less than the interval between relay points, in which additional relay points set are also used on days of high demand. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a case where the same relay point is visited multiple times to transfer delivery items on a day of high demand. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the change in the load capacity of a collection and delivery vehicle over time during delivery, illustrating a situation under normal demand. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the change in the load capacity of a collection and delivery vehicle over time during delivery, illustrating a situation under normal demand. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the change in the load capacity of a collection and delivery vehicle over time during collection, illustrating a situation under normal demand. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the change in the load capacity of a collection and delivery vehicle over time during collection, illustrating a situation under high demand.

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

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

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

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

[0017] In the collection and delivery area 30, the collection and delivery means 10 leaves the collection and delivery base 20, then travels around relay points 21-1 to 21-n and collection and delivery destinations 22-1 to 22-m within the collection and delivery area 30, before returning to the collection and delivery base 20. During this time, the relay transport means 11-1 to 11-n transport the items to be delivered between the collection and delivery base 20 and each of the relay points 21-1 to 21-n, and transship the items to and from the collection and delivery means 10 at the relay points 21-1 to 21-n.

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

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

[0020] Also, for example, if the collection and delivery means 10 is a motorcycle with a maximum load capacity of 30 kg and the relay transport means 11 is an air vehicle such as a drone, when the total handling weight X of the collection and delivery area 30 exceeds the maximum load capacity of the collection and delivery means 10 (motorcycle), 30 kg, the relay transport means 11 (drone) transports the items between the collection and delivery base 20 and relay points 21-1 to 21-n, and the items are transshipped between the collection and delivery means 10 (motorcycle) and the relay transport means 11 (drone). As described above, the collection and delivery system according to this embodiment eliminates the need to make multiple round trips by the collection and delivery means 10 (motorcycle) between the collection and delivery base 20 and the collection and delivery area 30 or to prepare multiple collection and delivery means 10 (motorcycles), thereby improving the efficiency of collection and delivery.

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

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

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

[0024] 3, the collection and delivery relay point determination device 220 of the collection and delivery system is configured to include collection and delivery map information 110 having information such as data on relay point candidates, topographical data, and collection and delivery zone area s, a population density database 120 having data on population density ρ, and handling record information 130 having data on handling occurrence rate α. The collection and delivery relay point determination device 220 uses the information on relay point candidates and collection and delivery zone area s from the collection and delivery map information 110, the population density ρ data from the population density database 120, and the information on handling occurrence rate α from the handling record information 130 to determine the number and locations of relay points 21-1 to 21-n, and outputs the determined number and locations as relay point data 420. Note that the relay point data 420 may also be used as optimal output data.

[0025] The method for determining the divisions and calculating the area of ​​the collection and delivery area 30 should be consistent with the method for calculating the area used as the denominator when calculating the population density ρ. Typically, population density is calculated using the population and area of ​​each administrative division, such as a prefecture, state, province, district, county, or municipality. Therefore, the area of ​​the collection and delivery area 30 should be calculated based on the area on a map, using town names or block codes that cover the collection and delivery area. Since the area of ​​each administrative division is typically calculated without taking into account the presence or absence of houses, the area of ​​the collection and delivery area 30 should also be calculated without taking into account the presence or absence of houses. If the area of ​​the collection and delivery area 30 is calculated taking into account the presence or absence of houses, the area will be smaller than when calculating the population density ρ, and the predicted values ​​for the population and handling volume will also be smaller. Even when street addresses are used to indicate addresses, it is easier to calculate the area by dividing the collection and delivery area 30 according to block addresses.

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

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, when determining relay points, the collection and delivery area 30 is divided into collection and delivery sections 31 of equal area, and relay point candidates are selected for each collection and delivery section while taking into consideration geographical constraints, etc., and further, the area of ​​each collection and delivery section 31 can be optimized to determine the optimal relay point.

[0028] First, in optimizing the area s of each collection and delivery section, the conditions that the area s must satisfy are set. The predicted section handling weight value x for the delivery section belonging to each relay point is calculated using the following (Equation 1): x = ρ s α (Equation 1)

[0029] where x is the predicted weight of the section [kg], ρ is the population density of the collection and delivery area [people / km ２ ], s is the collection and delivery area [km ２ ], and α is the handling incidence rate [kg / person / day].

[0030] In addition, the predicted total handling weight X [kg] and the collection and delivery area S [km ２ ] are the predicted section handling weight value x [kg] and the collection and delivery section area s [km ２ ], the relationship is X=Σx and S=Σs.

[0031] Here, in order for the collection and delivery method using the collection and delivery means 10 in combination with the relay transport means 11 to be viable, it is necessary that the load capacity of the collection and delivery means 10 at each relay point (predicted section handling weight value x) does not exceed the maximum load capacity of the collection and delivery means 10, that is, it is necessary to satisfy the condition expressed by the following (Equation 2): x = ρ s α < xmax (Equation 2)

[0032] Furthermore, when taking into consideration prediction errors and daily fluctuations in the section handling weight, the condition expressed by the above (Equation 2) is given a margin and the condition expressed by the following (Equation 3) is used: x = ρ s α = β xmax (Equation 3)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0054] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a case where collection and delivery sections (meshes) and relay points are set when the population density is, for example, 1 / 4 of that in the case of FIG.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0062] As shown in FIG. 13, it is also conceivable to set relay points 21-1 to 21-4 on days with normal demand, and then use additional relay points 21-5 to 21-9 on days with high demand.

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

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

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

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

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

[0068] As shown in FIG. 18 , for example, during normal demand (e.g., weekdays), the delivery vehicle 10 skips the relay points 21-1 and 21-3 and passes only through the relay points 21-2 and 21-4. In this case, when the delivery vehicle 10 leaves the collection and delivery base 20, it is loaded with a load close to its maximum capacity, and the load decreases as the delivery proceeds. To ensure flexibility (room for optimization) in the order of the collection and delivery points and the route, the delivery vehicle 10 arrives at the relay points 21-2 and 21-4 with a remaining load. This is because if the delivery vehicle 10 always waits until the load reaches zero before stopping at the relay points 21-2 and 21-4, there would be no room for the delivery vehicle 10 to select the order of the collection and delivery points and the relay points. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 19 , during high demand (e.g., the day after a holiday), the delivery vehicle 10 passes through all of the relay points 21-1 to 21-4. The relay points to be skipped may be changed depending on the demand for each day.

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

[0070] As shown in FIG. 20 , for example, during normal demand (e.g., weekdays), the relay points 21-1 and 21-3 are skipped, and only the relay points 21-2 and 21-4 are passed through. In this case, the load of the collection and delivery means 10 is almost zero when the collection and delivery base 20 is departed, and the load increases as collection and delivery progresses. To ensure flexibility (room for optimization) in the order of collection and delivery points and relay points and the route, the vehicle arrives at the relay points 21-2 and 21-4 with a margin up to the maximum load. This is because if the vehicle always arrives at the relay points 21-2 and 21-4 after the load reaches the maximum load, the collection and delivery means 10 would not be able to select the order of collection and delivery points and relay points. Also, as shown in FIG. 21 , during high demand (e.g., the day after a holiday), all relay points 21-1 to 21-4 are passed through. Note that the relay points to be skipped may be changed depending on the demand for each day. Furthermore, collection and delivery may be performed simultaneously.

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

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

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

[0074] For example, in collection and delivery areas with a handling volume equivalent to one light vehicle or more, adding a relay transport means to one light vehicle and collection and delivery worker can reduce the need for repeated round trips between collection and delivery bases and collection and delivery points, thereby improving the efficiency of collection and delivery operations. Also, by determining the installation intervals of relay points so that the predicted section handling volume on the route of the collection and delivery means between relay points does not exceed the maximum load capacity of the collection and delivery means, it is possible to continue collection and delivery by the collection and delivery means while utilizing relay transportation by the relay transport means while preventing the weight of the items to be collected and delivered from exceeding the maximum load capacity.

[0075] <Notes> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications and combinations within the scope of the gist thereof. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to those having all of the configurations described in the above-described embodiments, and also includes those in which some of the configurations are omitted. Furthermore, the configurations, functions, etc. described in the present embodiments may be realized in part or in whole by designing them as, for example, integrated circuits. Furthermore, the above-described configurations, functions, etc. may be realized in software by a processor interpreting and executing a program that realizes each function.

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

Claims

1. A collection and delivery relay point determination device that determines relay points in a collection and delivery area where collection and delivery means and relay transport means transfer items for collection and delivery, comprising a processor, wherein the processor: reads relay point candidates, a collection and delivery area population density indicating the population density of the collection and delivery area including the collection and delivery destination, and a handling occurrence rate; calculates relay point intervals using the collection and delivery area population density and the handling occurrence rate; divides the collection and delivery area based on the relay point intervals and sets multiple collection and delivery sections; sets the position of a relay point from among the relay point candidates for each collection and delivery section; and outputs the positions of the relay points.

2. A collection and delivery relay point determination device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the processor calculates a predicted section handling weight value using the collection and delivery area population density, the area of ​​the collection and delivery area, and the handling occurrence rate, and calculates the relay point interval so that the calculated predicted section handling weight value does not exceed the maximum load capacity of the collection and delivery means.

3. A collection and delivery relay point determination device according to claim 2, wherein the relay transport means is a means for transporting items to be collected and delivered between a collection and delivery base and the relay point.

4. A collection and delivery relay point determination device according to claim 1, wherein said processor sets relay points near the focal points of each collection and delivery section.

5. A collection and delivery relay point determination device according to claim 1, characterized in that the predicted section handling volume of the items to be collected and delivered includes a predicted value of the volume of items to be transported by the relay transportation means.

6. A collection and delivery relay point determination device according to claim 2, wherein said processor multiplies the maximum load capacity of said collection and delivery means by a margin coefficient.

7. A collection and delivery relay point determination device according to claim 1, characterized in that the processor divides each collection and delivery section by plane tessellation, which fills a plane with a finite number of planar figures without any gaps.

8. A collection and delivery relay point determination device according to claim 7, wherein said processor divides said collection and delivery area by a regular plane tessellation in which said area is filled with one type of regular polygon.

9. A collection and delivery relay point determination device according to claim 1, wherein the relay transportation means is an aircraft.

10. A collection and delivery relay point determination method for determining relay points in a collection and delivery area where collection and delivery means and relay transport means transfer items for collection and delivery, comprising the steps of: reading relay point candidates, a collection and delivery area population density indicating the population density of the collection and delivery area including the collection and delivery destination, and a handling occurrence rate; calculating a relay point interval (d) using the collection and delivery area population density and the handling occurrence rate; dividing the collection and delivery area based on the relay point interval (d) and setting a plurality of collection and delivery sections (S); setting the position of a relay point from among the relay point candidates for each collection and delivery section; and outputting the positions of the relay points.

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