Collection / delivery management system and collection / delivery management method

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a collection / delivery control device that controls a relay transport means in a collection / delivery region having a relay point, the collection / delivery control device comprising: a ground route search unit that searches for a ground route for a collection / delivery means that collects and delivers a collection / delivery item; a collection / delivery means arrival time calculation unit that calculates a collection / delivery means arrival time, which is a time at which the collection / delivery means arrives at the relay point; a relay transport means operation planning unit that plans operation of the relay transport means such that the relay transport means arrives at the relay point by the collection / delivery means arrival time; and a relay transport means control unit that generates control information for the relay transport means on the basis of the operation plan planned by the relay transport means operation planning unit. The cost of collection and delivery work can thereby be reduced.

Description

Collection and delivery management system and collection and delivery management method

[0001] The present invention relates to a collection and delivery management system and a collection and delivery management 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 collection and delivery system that includes a receiving point setting unit that sets a point on the route taken by a parcel recipient who is out from a delivery destination, at which a flying object flying in the air can land, as the receiving point, and which is on the route taken by the recipient to the delivery destination; 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 flying object holding the parcel so that the flying object 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 an object of the present invention is to provide a collection and delivery management system and a collection and delivery management 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 control device that controls relay transportation means in a collection and delivery area having relay points, and includes a ground route search unit that searches for a ground route of a collection and delivery means that collects and delivers items to be collected and delivered, a collection and delivery means arrival time calculation unit that calculates the collection and delivery means arrival time, which is the time when the collection and delivery means will arrive at the relay point, a relay transportation means operation planning unit that plans the operation of the relay transportation means so that the relay transportation means will arrive at the relay point by the collection and delivery means arrival time, and a relay transportation means control unit that generates control information for the relay transportation means based on the operation plan planned by the relay transportation means operation planning unit.

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

[0012] 1 is a diagram showing a basic collection and delivery process. FIG. 1 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. 2 is a diagram showing the collection and delivery control device in the collection and delivery management system according to the first embodiment, extracted together with related components. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the process of changing the departure time of a relay transport means. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the diaphragms of a collection and delivery means and a relay transport means. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the collection and delivery control device in the collection and delivery management system according to the second embodiment, extracted together with related components. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between collection and delivery demand for each section in a collection and delivery area and a collection and delivery plan. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the collection and delivery control device in the collection and delivery management system according to the third embodiment, extracted together with related components. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the process of changing a relay point. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the diaphragms of a collection and delivery means and a relay transport means. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing contents of the process of changing a relay point and a relay transport means departure time. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the diaphragms of a collection and delivery means and a relay transport means. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the diaphragms of a collection and delivery means and a relay transport means. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the change in the load capacity of a collection and delivery means over time during delivery, showing the situation at normal demand. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the change in the load capacity of a collection and delivery means over time during delivery, showing the situation at high demand. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the change in the load capacity of a collection and delivery means over time during collection, showing the situation at normal demand. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the change in the load capacity of a collection and delivery means over time during collection, showing the situation at high demand.

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

[0014] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic collection and delivery process according to this embodiment.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, in a collection and delivery area 30 that is the target of collection and delivery using the collection and delivery management 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.

[0017] Here, "collection and delivery" includes both "collection" of collecting and storing a collection item (here, a collected parcel) from a collection and delivery destination (here, a collection destination) and "delivery" of delivering a collection item (here, a delivery item) to a collection and delivery destination (here, a delivery destination), and indicates either collection or delivery, or both. Note that in this embodiment, for simplicity of explanation, the explanation may be limited to the case of delivery, but the present invention can also be applied to the case of collection or to both the case of collection and delivery.

[0018] 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.

[0019] The intervals between relay points are determined so that the predicted handling volume for the section along the route of the collection and delivery vehicle between the relay points does not exceed the maximum load capacity of the collection and delivery vehicle. The predicted handling volume for the section is calculated from the population density of the collection and delivery area, the area of ​​the collection and delivery area, and the actual handling volume per capita per day. Specifically, it is calculated as follows: [Predicted handling volume] = [Population density of the collection and delivery area] x [Area of ​​the collection and delivery section] x [Actual handling volume per capita per day]. It is desirable that the collection and delivery vehicle be a light vehicle such as a motorcycle or a light truck, and that the relay transport vehicle be an aerial vehicle such as a drone that can transport goods in mountainous areas. It is also desirable to use an autonomous driving vehicle as the relay transport vehicle to reduce labor costs.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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."

[0022] 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 a drone, when the total handling weight X in the collection and delivery area 30 exceeds the maximum load capacity of 30 kg of the collection and delivery means 10 (motorcycle), the relay transport means 11 (drone) transports the items between the collection and delivery base 20 and 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 management 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 (motorcycle), thereby improving the efficiency of collection and delivery.

[0023] The predicted total weight X [kg] of the collection and delivery area shown in FIG. 2 is calculated by the following formula (1): X=ρ·S·α (Formula 1)

[0024] where 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].

[0025] 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.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the collection and delivery control device in the collection and delivery management system according to this embodiment together with the related configuration.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the collection and delivery control device 230 is roughly composed of a ground route search unit 231, a collection and delivery means control unit 232, a collection and delivery means arrival time calculation unit 233, a relay transport means operation planning unit 234, a relay transport means control unit 235, a relay transport means arrival time calculation unit 236, and a time determination unit 237.

[0028] The ground route search unit 231 searches for a ground route based on the collection and delivery area map information 110 and outputs the searched ground route to the collection and delivery means control unit 232 .

[0029] The collection and delivery means control unit 232 generates control information for the collection and delivery means 10 based on the ground route searched by the ground route search unit 231, and controls the collection and delivery means 10 by outputting the generated control information to the collection and delivery means 10.

[0030] The relay transport means operation planning unit 234 generates an operation plan for the relay transport means 11 and outputs it to the relay transport means control unit 235 .

[0031] The relay transportation means control unit 235 generates control information for the relay transportation means 11 based on the operation plan (departure time of the relay transportation means) generated by the relay transportation means operation planning unit 234, and controls the operation of the relay transportation means by outputting the generated control information to the relay transportation means 11.

[0032] The collection and delivery means arrival time calculation unit 233 calculates the time at which the collection and delivery means 10 will arrive at the relay point based on the ground route searched by the ground route search unit 231. Note that the collection and delivery means arrival time may be affected by meteorological conditions such as the degree of congestion on the collection and delivery route and the weather, so the collection and delivery means arrival time may be calculated taking these pieces of information into account.

[0033] The relay transport means arrival time calculation unit 236 calculates the time at which the relay transport means 11 will arrive at the relay point based on the operation plan generated by the relay transport means operation planning unit 234. Note that the relay transport means arrival time may be affected by meteorological conditions such as wind speed, wind direction, temperature, visibility, and weather, so the relay transport means arrival time may be calculated taking this information into account.

[0034] The time determination unit 237 compares the arrival time of the collection and delivery means with the arrival time of the relay transportation means, and if the arrival time of the relay transportation means is later than the arrival time of the collection and delivery means, outputs a change request to the relay transportation means operation planning unit 234 to advance the departure time of the relay transportation means 11, and the relay transportation means operation planning unit 234 advances the time at which the relay transportation means 11 departs from the collection and delivery base 20 (relay transportation means departure time) based on the change request from the time determination unit 237.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the process for changing the departure time of the relay transportation means.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, first, the relay transport means operation planning unit 234 initializes the relay transport means departure time, that is, the time when the relay transport means 11 departs from the collection and delivery base 20 (step S110).

[0037] Next, the time determination unit 237 determines whether the arrival time of the relay transportation means is before the arrival time of the collection and delivery means (step S120).

[0038] If the determination result in step S120 is NO, i.e., if the arrival time of the relay transport means is later than the arrival time of the collection and delivery means, the relay transport means operation planning unit 234 advances the departure time of the relay transport means in response to the change request from the time determination unit 237 (step S130), and returns to the determination processing of step S120. Then, the processing of steps S120 and S130 is repeated until the determination result in step S120 is YES, i.e., until the arrival time of the relay transport means is earlier than the arrival time of the collection and delivery means.

[0039] If the determination result in step S120 is YES, the process ends.

[0040] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a diaphragm (a graph showing the relationship between time and position (distance from the collection and delivery center 20)) of a collection and delivery means and a relay transportation means, with the horizontal axis showing time and the vertical axis showing distance from the collection and delivery center.

[0041] As shown in Figure 5, for example, consider a case where the relay transportation means departure time is the initial value, which is the relay transportation means departure time (0), and the relay transportation means arrival time at which the relay transportation means 11 (shown by a dashed line in Figure 5) arrives at the relay point 21 is later than the collection and delivery means arrival time at which the collection and delivery means 10 (shown by a solid line in Figure 5) arrives at the relay point 21.

[0042] In this case, the relay transport means operation planning unit 234 first advances the arrival time of the relay transport means to the relay transport means departure time (1) based on a change request from the time determination unit 237, and if the arrival time of the relay transport means is still later than the arrival time of the collection and delivery means, it further advances the departure time of the relay transport means to (2), thereby making the arrival time of the relay transport means earlier than the arrival time of the collection and delivery means.

[0043] The effects of the present embodiment configured as above will be described.

[0044] 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.

[0045] In this embodiment, a collection and delivery means that collects and delivers items is incorporated into a collection and delivery route that travels around multiple collection and delivery destinations, and a collection and delivery control device is provided that controls a relay transportation means in a collection and delivery area that has at least one relay point where items transported by a relay transportation means are relayed between the collection and delivery base that serves as the collection and delivery hub for the items.The collection and delivery control device is configured to have a ground route search unit that searches for the ground route of the collection and delivery means, a collection and delivery means arrival time calculation unit that calculates the time when the collection and delivery means will arrive at the relay point, a relay transportation means arrival time calculation unit that calculates the time when the relay transportation means will arrive at the relay point, a relay transportation means operation planning unit that plans the operation of the relay transportation means so that the relay transportation means will arrive at the relay point by the time the collection and delivery means arrives at the relay point, and a relay transportation means control unit that controls the operation of the relay transportation means based on the operation planned by the relay transportation means operation planning unit, thereby reducing the costs of collection and delivery operations.

[0046] In other words, by linking the collection and delivery means with the relay transport means, i.e., by adjusting the expected arrival time of the relay transport means to match the expected arrival time of the collection and delivery means at the relay point, the efficiency of collection and delivery operations can be improved.

[0047] For example, in a collection and delivery area with a handling volume equivalent to one light vehicle or more, by adding a relay transport means to one light vehicle and a collection and delivery worker, it becomes unnecessary to repeatedly travel back and forth between the collection and delivery base and the collection and delivery point, and collection and delivery operations can be made more efficient. Also, by determining the installation interval of the relay points so that the predicted value of the section handling volume on the route that goes around the collection and delivery destination of the collection and delivery means between the relay points does not exceed the maximum load capacity of the collection and delivery means, it becomes possible to continue collection and delivery by the collection and delivery means while utilizing relay transportation by the relay transport means while preventing the weight of the items to be collected and delivered from exceeding the maximum load capacity.

[0048] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0049] In this embodiment, the relay point selection unit selects relay points based on collection and delivery area map information and collection and delivery demand. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the collection and delivery control device in the collection and delivery management system according to this embodiment together with the related configuration.

[0051] As shown in Figure 6, the collection and delivery control device 230A is roughly composed of a ground route search unit 231, a collection and delivery means control unit 232, a collection and delivery means arrival time calculation unit 233A, a relay transport means operation planning unit 234, a relay transport means control unit 235, a relay transport means arrival time calculation unit 236A, a time determination unit 237, and a relay point selection unit 238.

[0052] The ground route search unit 231 searches for a ground route based on the collection and delivery area map information 110 and outputs the searched ground route to the collection and delivery means control unit 232 .

[0053] The collection and delivery means control unit 232 generates control information for the collection and delivery means 10 based on the ground route searched by the ground route search unit 231, and controls the collection and delivery means 10 by outputting the generated control information to the collection and delivery means 10.

[0054] The relay transport means operation planning unit 234 generates an operation plan for the relay transport means 11 and outputs it to the relay transport means control unit 235 .

[0055] The relay transportation means control unit 235 generates control information for the relay transportation means 11 based on the operation plan (departure time of the relay transportation means) generated by the relay transportation means operation planning unit 234, and controls the operation of the relay transportation means by outputting the generated control information to the relay transportation means 11.

[0056] The collection and delivery means arrival time calculation unit 233A calculates the time at which the collection and delivery means 10 will arrive at the relay point based on the ground route searched by the ground route search unit 231 and the relay point selected by the relay point selection unit 238. Note that the collection and delivery means arrival time may be affected by meteorological conditions such as the degree of congestion on the collection and delivery route and the weather, so the collection and delivery means arrival time may be calculated taking these pieces of information into account.

[0057] The relay transport means arrival time calculation unit 236A calculates the time at which the relay transport means 11 arrives at the relay point based on the operation plan generated by the relay transport means operation planning unit 234 and the relay point selected by the relay point selection unit 238. Note that the relay transport means arrival time may be affected by meteorological conditions such as wind speed, wind direction, temperature, visibility, and weather, so the relay transport means arrival time may be calculated taking this information into account.

[0058] The time determination unit 237 compares the arrival time of the collection and delivery means with the arrival time of the relay transportation means, and if the arrival time of the relay transportation means is later than the arrival time of the collection and delivery means, outputs a change request to the relay transportation means operation planning unit 234 to advance the departure time of the relay transportation means 11, and the relay transportation means operation planning unit 234 advances the time at which the relay transportation means 11 departs from the collection and delivery base 20 (relay transportation means departure time) based on the change request from the time determination unit 237.

[0059] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the collection and delivery demand (delivery demand) for each section of a collection and delivery area and the collection and delivery plan, with the horizontal axis representing the section and the vertical axis representing the weight of the items to be collected and delivered.

[0060] In Figure 7, the section shown on the horizontal axis indicates the distance between relay points within the collection and delivery area. Note that Xmax1 is the maximum load capacity of the collection and delivery means 10, which is 30 kg for a motorcycle, for example. Furthermore, the weight of each item A to N often differs, but for simplicity, we will assume that the weights of each item are the same.

[0061] Delivery items A to C are delivered in the section from the collection and delivery base 20 to the relay point 21-1. Similarly, delivery items D to H are delivered in the section from the relay point 21-1 to the relay point 21-2, delivery items I and J are delivered in the section from the relay point 21-2 to the relay point 21-3, delivery item K is delivered in the section from the relay point 21-3 to the relay point 21-4, and delivery items L to N are delivered in the section from the relay point 21-4 to the relay point 21-5.

[0062] First, delivery items A to C are loaded onto the collection and delivery means 10 when it leaves the collection and delivery base 20, and are delivered in the section up to the relay point 21-1. Delivery items D to H are transported to the relay point 21-1 by the relay transport means 11, loaded onto the collection and delivery means 10, and delivered in the section from the relay point 21-1 to the relay point 21-2. At this time, delivery items D to H exceed the maximum load capacity Xmax1 of the collection and delivery means 10, so delivery items D to F are transported to the relay point 21-1 as the first shipment by the relay transport means 11, and delivered in the section from the relay point 21-1 to the relay point 21-2, after which delivery items G and H are transported to the relay point 21-1 as the second shipment by the relay transport means 11, and delivered in the section from the relay point 21-1 to the relay point 21-2.

[0063] Next, delivery items I and J are transported to relay point 21-2 by relay transport means 11, loaded onto collection and delivery means 10, and delivered in the section from relay point 21-2 to relay point 21-3. Delivery item K is transported to relay point 21-3 by relay transport means 11, loaded onto collection and delivery means 10, and delivered in the section from relay point 21-3 to relay point 21-4. At this time, since there is room in the maximum load capacity Xmax1 of the collection and delivery means 10, delivery items I to K may be transported to relay point 21-2 by relay transport means 11, loaded onto collection and delivery means 10, and delivered in the section from relay point 21-2 to relay point 21-4. In this case, it is possible to reduce the number of times delivery items are transferred from relay transport means 11 to collection and delivery means 10, and also to reduce the number of round trips of relay transport means 11 between collection and delivery base 20 and relay points. It should be noted that the maximum load capacity of the collection and delivery means 10 and the relay transport means 11 is not necessarily the same, and if the maximum load capacity of the collection and delivery means 10 is greater than the maximum load capacity of the relay transport means 11, it is possible to transport the items to the relay point using multiple relay transport means 11, or to transport them by making multiple round trips in advance.

[0064] In this embodiment, the delivery of items for collection and delivery has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a collection plan based on collection demand (collection and delivery demand) can also be created for the collection of items for collection and delivery, and the collection and delivery means 10 and the relay transportation means 11 can simultaneously carry out collection and delivery. It is also possible that collection demands will arise unscheduled, and in such cases it is desirable to provide the collection and delivery means 10 with a weighing scale to measure the weight of the collected items.

[0065] The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0066] The present embodiment configured as above can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0067] Third Embodiment A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0068] In this embodiment, the relay point is changed based on a change request. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0069] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the collection and delivery control device in the collection and delivery management system according to this embodiment together with the related configuration.

[0070] As shown in Figure 8, the collection and delivery control device 230B is roughly composed of a ground route search unit 231, a collection and delivery means control unit 232, a collection and delivery means arrival time calculation unit 233A, a relay transport means operation planning unit 234, a relay transport means control unit 235, a relay transport means arrival time calculation unit 236A, a time determination unit 237B, and a relay point selection unit 238B.

[0071] The ground route search unit 231 searches for a ground route based on the collection and delivery area map information 110 and outputs the searched ground route to the collection and delivery means control unit 232 .

[0072] The collection and delivery means control unit 232 generates control information for the collection and delivery means 10 based on the ground route searched by the ground route search unit 231, and controls the collection and delivery means 10 by outputting the generated control information to the collection and delivery means 10.

[0073] The relay transport means operation planning unit 234 generates an operation plan for the relay transport means 11 and outputs it to the relay transport means control unit 235 .

[0074] The relay transportation means control unit 235 generates control information for the relay transportation means 11 based on the operation plan (departure time of the relay transportation means) generated by the relay transportation means operation planning unit 234, and controls the operation of the relay transportation means by outputting the generated control information to the relay transportation means 11.

[0075] The collection and delivery means arrival time calculation unit 233A calculates the time at which the collection and delivery means 10 will arrive at the relay point based on the ground route searched by the ground route search unit 231 and the relay point selected by the relay point selection unit 238B. Note that the collection and delivery means arrival time may be affected by meteorological conditions such as the degree of congestion on the collection and delivery route and the weather, so the collection and delivery means arrival time may be calculated taking such information into account.

[0076] The relay transport means arrival time calculation unit 236A calculates the time at which the relay transport means 11 arrives at the relay point based on the operation plan generated by the relay transport means operation planning unit 234 and the relay point selected by the relay point selection unit 238B. Note that the relay transport means arrival time may be affected by meteorological conditions such as wind speed, wind direction, temperature, visibility, and weather, so the relay transport means arrival time may be calculated taking this information into account.

[0077] The time determination unit 237B compares the collection and delivery means arrival time with the relay transport means arrival time, and if the relay transport means arrival time is later than the collection and delivery means arrival time, outputs a change request to the relay transport means operation planning unit 234 or the relay point selection unit 238B. In this embodiment, if the time determination unit 237B outputs a change request to change the relay point 21 to the relay point selection unit 238B, the relay point selection unit 238B changes the relay point 21 based on the change request from the time determination unit 237B. Note that if the time determination unit 237B incorporates a process of outputting a change request to the relay transport means operation planning unit 234 to advance the departure time of the relay transport means 11, the relay transport means operation planning unit 234 advances the time at which the relay transport means 11 departs from the collection and delivery base 20 (relay transport means departure time) based on the change request from the time determination unit 237B.

[0078] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the process of changing a relay point.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 9, first, the relay point selection unit 238B initializes the relay points (step S210).

[0080] Next, the time determination unit 237B determines whether the arrival time of the relay transportation means is before the arrival time of the collection and delivery means (step S220).

[0081] If the determination result in step S220 is NO, i.e., if the arrival time of the relay transport means is later than the arrival time of the collection and delivery means, the relay point selection unit 238B changes the relay point in response to the change request from the time determination unit 237B (step S230), and returns to the determination processing of step S120. Then, the processing of steps S220 and S230 is repeated until the determination result in step S220 is YES, i.e., until the arrival time of the relay transport means is earlier than the arrival time of the collection and delivery means.

[0082] If the determination result in step S220 is YES, the process ends.

[0083] Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of a diaphragm (a graph showing the relationship between time and position (distance from the collection and delivery center 20)) of a collection and delivery means and a relay transportation means, with the horizontal axis showing time and the vertical axis showing distance from the collection and delivery center.

[0084] As shown in Figure 10, for example, when the relay point is the initial value of relay point 21-1 and the relay transportation means departure time is the initial value of relay transportation means departure time (0), consider a case where the relay transportation means arrival time at which the relay transportation means 11 (shown by a dashed line in Figure 10) arrives at the relay point 21-1 is later than the collection and delivery means arrival time at which the collection and delivery means 10 (shown by a solid line in Figure 10) arrives at the relay point 21-1.

[0085] In this case, the relay point selection unit 238B changes the relay point to relay point 21-2 based on the change request from the time determination unit 237B, thereby making the relay transportation means arrival time earlier than the collection and delivery means arrival time.

[0086] The other configurations are the same as those of the first and second embodiments.

[0087] The present embodiment configured as above can also achieve the same effects as the first and second embodiments.

[0088] <Fourth Embodiment> A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0089] In this embodiment, the relay points and the departure times of the relay transportation means are changed based on a change request. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0090] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the process of changing the relay point and the departure time of the relay transport means. In this process, the relay point selection unit 238B first changes the relay point, and if the change in the relay point alone is not enough to make the arrival time of the relay transport means earlier than the arrival time of the collection and delivery means, the relay transport means operation planning unit 234 advances the departure time of the relay transport means.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 11, first, the relay point selection unit 238B initializes the relay points, and the relay transportation means operation planning unit 234 initializes the relay transportation means departure time (step S310).

[0092] Next, the time determination unit 237B determines whether the arrival time of the relay transportation means is before the arrival time of the collection and delivery means (step S320).

[0093] If the judgment result in step S320 is NO, i.e., if the arrival time of the relay transportation means is later than the arrival time of the collection and delivery means, the relay point selection unit 238B changes the relay point in response to the change request from the time judgment unit 237B (step S330), and then judges whether the judgment of step S320 has been attempted for all relay points (step S340).

[0094] If the determination result in step S340 is NO, the process returns to the determination process in step S320. Then, steps S320 to S340 are repeated until the determination result in step S320 or S340 is YES, that is, until the arrival time of the relay transportation means becomes earlier than the arrival time of the collection and delivery means due to a change in the relay point.

[0095] If the determination result in step S340 is YES, the relay transport means operation planning unit 234 advances the relay transport means departure time in response to the change request from the time determination unit 237B (step S350), and returns to the determination process of step S320. Then, the processes of steps S320 to S350 are repeated until the determination result in step S320 is YES, that is, until the relay transport means departure time is advanced so that the relay transport means arrival time is earlier than the collection and delivery means arrival time.

[0096] If the determination result in step S320 is YES, the process ends.

[0097] 12 is a flowchart showing another example of the process of changing the relay point and the departure time of the relay transport means. In this process, the relay transport means operation planning unit 234 first advances the departure time of the relay transport means, and if this process alone does not allow the arrival time of the relay transport means to be earlier than the arrival time of the collection and delivery means, the relay point selection unit 238B changes the relay point.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 12, first, the relay point selection unit 238B initializes the relay points, and the relay transportation means operation planning unit 234 initializes the relay transportation means departure time (step S410).

[0099] Next, the time determination unit 237B determines whether the arrival time of the relay transportation means is before the arrival time of the collection and delivery means (step S420).

[0100] If the judgment result in step S420 is NO, that is, if the arrival time of the relay transportation means is later than the arrival time of the collection and delivery means, the relay transportation means operation planning unit 234 advances the departure time of the relay transportation means in response to the change request from the time judgment unit 237B (step S430), and then determines whether the departure time of the relay transportation means can be further advanced (step S440).

[0101] If the determination result in step S440 is YES, the process returns to the determination process in step S420. Then, steps S420 to S440 are repeated until the determination result in step S420 becomes YES or the determination result in step S440 becomes NO, that is, until the relay transport means departure time is advanced so that the relay transport means arrival time is earlier than the collection / delivery means arrival time.

[0102] If the determination result in step S440 is NO, the relay point selection unit 238B changes the relay point in response to the change request from the time determination unit 237B (step S440), and returns to the determination process of step S420. Then, the processes of steps S420 to S450 are repeated until the determination result in step S420 is YES, that is, until the relay transportation means arrival time becomes earlier than the collection and delivery means arrival time by changing the relay point.

[0103] If the determination result in step S420 is YES, the process ends.

[0104] Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of a diaphragm (a graph showing the relationship between time and position (distance from the collection and delivery center 20)) of a collection and delivery means and a relay transportation means, with the horizontal axis showing time and the vertical axis showing distance from the collection and delivery center.

[0105] As shown in Figure 13, for example, when the relay point is the initial value of relay point 21-1 and the relay transport means departure time is the initial value of relay transport means departure time (0), consider a case where the relay transport means arrival time at which the relay transport means 11 (shown by a dashed line in Figure 13) arrives at the relay point 21-1 is later than the collection and delivery means arrival time at which the collection and delivery means 10 (shown by a solid line in Figure 13) arrives at the relay point 21-1. In this case, as shown in Figure 12, first, the relay transport means operation planning unit 234 performs processing to advance the relay transport means departure time, and if this processing alone cannot make the relay transport means arrival time earlier than the collection and delivery means arrival time, the relay point selection unit 238B changes the relay point.

[0106] First, the relay transport means operation planning unit 234 advances the relay transport means departure time to relay transport means departure time (1) or relay transport means departure time (2) based on a change request from the time determination unit 237B. Here, if the relay transport means arrival time at the relay point 21-1 is later than the collection and delivery means arrival time even after advancing the relay transport means departure time to the earliest relay transport means departure time (2) of the relay transport means 11's operable time (possible departure time), the relay point selection unit 238B then changes the relay point to relay point 21-2 based on the change request from the time determination unit 237. This allows the relay transport means arrival time to be earlier than the collection and delivery means arrival time.

[0107] In addition, the operating hours (departure times) of the relay transportation means 11 are limited by the start and end times of the relay transportation means 11 operation, and also by the time periods used for other collection and delivery means 10.

[0108] The other configurations are the same as those of the first to third embodiments.

[0109] In this embodiment configured as above, the same effects as those of the first to third embodiments can be obtained.

[0110] Fifth Embodiment A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0111] In this embodiment, the relay transport means departure time and the relay transport means are changed based on a change request. Specifically, first, the relay transport means operation planning unit 234C performs processing to advance the relay transport means departure time, and if this processing alone does not allow the relay transport means arrival time to be earlier than the collection and delivery means arrival time, the relay transport means is changed. In this embodiment, components similar to those in the first to fourth embodiments are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0112] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the collection and delivery control device in the collection and delivery management system according to this embodiment together with the related configuration.

[0113] As shown in Figure 14, the collection and delivery control device 230C is roughly composed of a ground route search unit 231, a collection and delivery means control unit 232, a collection and delivery means arrival time calculation unit 233A, a relay transport means operation planning unit 234C, a relay transport means control unit 235, a relay transport means arrival time calculation unit 236A, a time determination unit 237, and a relay point selection unit 238.

[0114] The ground route search unit 231 searches for a ground route based on the collection and delivery area map information 110 and outputs the searched ground route to the collection and delivery means control unit 232 .

[0115] The collection and delivery means control unit 232 generates control information for the collection and delivery means 10 based on the ground route searched by the ground route search unit 231, and controls the collection and delivery means 10 by outputting the generated control information to the collection and delivery means 10.

[0116] The relay transport means operation planning unit 234 generates an operation plan for the relay transport means 11 and outputs it to the relay transport means control unit 235 .

[0117] The relay transportation means control unit 235 generates control information for the relay transportation means 11 based on the operation plan (departure time of the relay transportation means) generated by the relay transportation means operation planning unit 234, and controls the operation of the relay transportation means by outputting the generated control information to the relay transportation means 11.

[0118] The collection and delivery means arrival time calculation unit 233A calculates the time at which the collection and delivery means 10 will arrive at the relay point based on the ground route searched by the ground route search unit 231 and the relay point selected by the relay point selection unit 238. Note that the collection and delivery means arrival time may be affected by meteorological conditions such as the degree of congestion on the collection and delivery route and the weather, so the collection and delivery means arrival time may be calculated taking these pieces of information into account.

[0119] The relay transport means arrival time calculation unit 236A calculates the time at which the relay transport means 11 arrives at the relay point based on the operation plan generated by the relay transport means operation planning unit 234 and the relay point selected by the relay point selection unit 238. Note that the relay transport means arrival time may be affected by meteorological conditions such as wind speed, wind direction, temperature, visibility, and weather, so the relay transport means arrival time may be calculated taking this information into account.

[0120] The time determination unit 237 compares the arrival time of the collection and delivery means with the arrival time of the relay transport means, and if the arrival time of the relay transport means is later than the arrival time of the collection and delivery means, outputs a change request to the relay transport means operation planning unit 234 C. The relay transport means operation planning unit 234 C first performs processing to advance the time at which the relay transport means 11 departs from the collection and delivery base 20 (relay transport means departure time) based on the change request from the time determination unit 237, and if this processing alone cannot make the arrival time of the relay transport means earlier than the arrival time of the collection and delivery means, it changes the relay transport means 11.

[0121] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing contents of the process for changing the relay transportation means departure time and the relay transportation means.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 15, first, the relay point selection unit 238 initializes the relay points, and the relay transportation means operation planning unit 234C initializes the relay transportation means departure time (step S510).

[0123] Next, the time determination unit 237 determines whether the arrival time of the relay transportation means is before the arrival time of the collection and delivery means (step S520).

[0124] If the judgment result in step S520 is NO, that is, if the arrival time of the relay transportation means is later than the arrival time of the collection and delivery means, the relay transportation means operation planning unit 234C advances the departure time of the relay transportation means in response to the change request from the time judgment unit 237 (step S530), and then determines whether the departure time of the relay transportation means can be further advanced (step S540).

[0125] If the determination result in step S540 is YES, the process returns to the determination process in step S520. Then, the processes in steps S520 to S540 are repeated until the determination result in step S520 becomes YES or the determination result in step S540 becomes NO, that is, until the relay transport means departure time is advanced so that the relay transport means arrival time is earlier than the collection / delivery means arrival time.

[0126] If the determination result in step S540 is NO, the relay point selection unit 238B changes the relay point in response to the change request from the time determination unit 237B (step S540), and returns to the determination process of step S520. Then, the processes of steps S520 to S550 are repeated until the determination result in step S520 is YES, that is, until the relay transportation means arrival time becomes earlier than the collection and delivery means arrival time by changing the relay point.

[0127] If the determination result in step S520 is YES, the process ends.

[0128] Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of a diaphragm (a graph showing the relationship between time and position (distance from the collection and delivery center 20)) of a collection and delivery means and a relay transportation means, with the horizontal axis showing time and the vertical axis showing distance from the collection and delivery center.

[0129] As shown in Figure 16, for example, consider a case where the relay transportation means departure time is the initial value, which is the relay transportation means departure time (0), and the relay transportation means arrival time at which the relay transportation means 11-1 (shown by a dashed line in Figure 16) arrives at the relay point 21 is later than the collection and delivery means arrival time at which the collection and delivery means 10 (shown by a solid line in Figure 5) arrives at the relay point 21.

[0130] In this case, the relay transport means operation planning unit 234C first advances the relay transport means arrival time to the relay transport means departure time (1) based on the change request from the time determination unit 237. Here, if the relay transport means arrival time is later than the collection and delivery means arrival time even after advancing the relay transport means arrival time to the relay transport means departure time (1), it is necessary to further advance the relay transport means arrival time. However, due to the constraints of the operational time (possible departure time) of the relay transport means 11-1, the relay transport means departure time cannot be advanced any further. Therefore, the relay transport means is changed to the relay transport means 11-2, whose operational time (possible departure time) is earlier than that of the relay transport means 11-1, and the relay transport means departure time is further advanced to the relay transport means departure time (2), thereby making the relay transport means arrival time earlier than the collection and delivery means arrival time.

[0131] The other configurations are the same as those of the first to fourth embodiments.

[0132] In this embodiment configured as above, the same effects as those of the first to fourth embodiments can be obtained.

[0133] Sixth Embodiment A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0134] This embodiment shows a case where the collection and delivery means 10 performs collection and delivery while stopping at a plurality of relay points 21-1, 21-2. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the first to fifth embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0135] Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of a diaphragm (a graph showing the relationship between time and position (distance from the collection and delivery center 20)) of a collection and delivery means and a relay transportation means, with the horizontal axis showing time and the vertical axis showing distance from the collection and delivery center.

[0136] 17, when the collection and delivery means 10 makes collection and delivery visits to multiple relay points 21-1, 21-2, the relay transport means 11 arrives at the relay points 21-1, 21-2 before the collection and delivery means 10 arrives, and after the collection and delivery means 10 arrives, the items to be collected and delivered are transshipped between the collection and delivery means 10 and the relay transport means 11, and once the transshipment is complete, the collection and delivery means 10 heads for the collection and delivery destination. In addition, by charging the relay transport means 11 between its arrival at the relay points 21-1, 21-2 and its departure, the waiting time until the collection and delivery means 10 arrives can be effectively utilized.

[0137] The other configurations are the same as those of the first to fifth embodiments.

[0138] The present embodiment configured as above can also obtain the same effects as the first to fifth embodiments.

[0139] Seventh Embodiment A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0140] This embodiment shows a case where the number of relay points is increased or decreased depending on the demand for collection and delivery. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the first to sixth embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0141] 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.

[0142] 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.

[0143] The predicted section handling weight value x in the collection and delivery section belonging to each relay point is calculated by the following (Equation 2): x = ρ·s·α (Equation 2)

[0144] 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].

[0145] 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.

[0146] In order for the collection and delivery management method using the collection and delivery means 10 in combination with the relay transport means 11 to be effective, 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 3): x = ρ s α < xmax (Equation 3)

[0147] Furthermore, when taking into consideration prediction errors and daily fluctuations in the section handling weight, the condition expressed by the above (Equation 3) is given a margin and the condition expressed by the following (Equation 4) is used: x = ρ s α = β xmax (Equation 4)

[0148] Here, β is a margin coefficient (β=0.5 to 0.8).

[0149] 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.

[0150] 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.

[0151] The other configurations are the same as those of the first to sixth embodiments.

[0152] The present embodiment configured as above can also obtain the same effects as the first to sixth embodiments.

[0153] <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.

[0154] 10...Collection and delivery means, 11...Relay transportation means, 20...Collection and delivery base, 21...Relay point, 22...Collection and delivery destination, 30...Collection and delivery area, 110...Collection and delivery area map information, 230, 230A, 230B, 230C...Collection and delivery control device, 231...Ground route search unit, 232...Collection and delivery means control unit, 233, 233A...Collection and delivery means arrival time calculation unit, 234, 234C...Relay transportation means operation planning unit, 235...Relay transportation means control unit, 236, 36A...Relay transportation means arrival time calculation unit, 237, 237B...Time determination unit, 238, 238B...Relay point selection unit

Claims

1. A collection and delivery control device that controls relay transport means in a collection and delivery area having relay points, comprising: a ground route search unit that searches for a ground route of a collection and delivery means that collects and delivers items; a collection and delivery means arrival time calculation unit that calculates a collection and delivery means arrival time, which is the time when the collection and delivery means will arrive at the relay point; a relay transport means operation planning unit that plans the operation of the relay transport means so that the relay transport means will arrive at the relay point by the collection and delivery means arrival time; and a relay transport means control unit that generates control information for the relay transport means based on the operation plan planned by the relay transport means operation planning unit.

2. A collection and delivery control device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the relay point is a point where the items are transferred between a relay transport means that transports the items between a collection and delivery base and the relay point and the collection and delivery means.

3. A collection and delivery control device as described in claim 1, further comprising a relay transport means arrival time calculation unit which calculates a relay transport means arrival time, which is the time when the relay transport means arrives at the relay point, and a relay point selection unit which selects the relay point on the ground route, wherein the collection and delivery means arrival time calculation unit calculates the time when the collection and delivery means will arrive at the relay point selected by the relay point selection unit, the relay transport means arrival time calculation unit calculates the time when the relay transport means will arrive at the relay point selected by the relay point selection unit, and the relay point selection unit selects a relay point to which the relay transport means will deliver the delivery item using the time calculated by the collection and delivery means arrival time calculation unit and the time calculated by the relay transport means arrival time calculation unit.

4. A collection and delivery control device as described in claim 1, comprising: a relay transport means arrival time calculation unit which calculates a relay transport means arrival time, which is the time when the relay transport means arrives at the relay point; and a time determination unit which compares the collection and delivery means arrival time with the relay transport means arrival time, and if the relay transport means arrival time is later than the collection and delivery means arrival time, outputs a change request to the relay transport means operation planning unit to advance the departure time of the relay transport means, wherein the relay transport means operation planning unit plans an operation to advance the time when the relay transport means departs from the collection and delivery base based on the change request output by the time determination unit.

5. A collection and delivery control device according to claim 1, wherein the installation intervals of the relay points are determined so that the predicted handling volume does not exceed the maximum loading capacity of the collection and delivery means.

6. A collection and delivery control device according to claim 5, characterized in that the predicted value of the handling volume is calculated from the population density of the collection and delivery area, the area of ​​the collection and delivery area, and the actual handling volume per capita.

7. A collection and delivery control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the relay transport means is controlled by automatic operation.

8. A collection and delivery control device according to claim 1, wherein the relay transport means is an aircraft.

9. A collection and delivery control device according to claim 7, wherein the collection and delivery means is either a motorbike or a truck.

10. A collection and delivery management system comprising: a collection and delivery control device that controls relay transport means in a collection and delivery area having relay points; and the relay transport means, wherein the collection and delivery control device comprises: a ground route search unit that searches for a ground route of the collection and delivery means that collects and delivers items to be collected and delivered; a collection and delivery means arrival time calculation unit that calculates a collection and delivery means arrival time, which is the time at which the collection and delivery means will arrive at the relay point; a relay transport means operation planning unit that plans the operation of the relay transport means so that the relay transport means will arrive at the relay point by the collection and delivery means arrival time; and a relay transport means control unit that generates control information for the relay transport means based on the operation plan planned by the relay transport means operation planning unit, and the relay transport means controls its operation based on the control information generated by the relay transport means control unit.

11. A collection and delivery management method for a collection and delivery area in which a collection and delivery means that collects and delivers items is incorporated into a collection and delivery route that travels around a plurality of collection and delivery destinations, and which has at least one relay point where the items transported by a relay transport means are relayed between a collection and delivery center that serves as the base for collection and delivery of the items, comprising the steps of: searching for a ground route for the collection and delivery means; calculating a time at which the collection and delivery means will arrive at the relay point; calculating a time at which the relay transport means will arrive at the relay point; planning the operation of the relay transport means so that the relay transport means will arrive at the relay point by the time the collection and delivery means arrives at the relay point; and controlling the operation of the relay transport means based on the planned operation.

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