Vehicle dispatch management device and vehicle dispatch management method

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle dispatch management device that manages vehicle dispatch in response to a user's vehicle dispatch reservation request. The vehicle dispatch management device is provided with: a vehicle dispatch plan creation unit that creates a vehicle dispatch plan on the basis of the user's vehicle dispatch reservation request; an operation instruction unit that issues an operation instruction to a vehicle according to the vehicle dispatch plan; and an early arrival status determination unit that determines the early arrival status of the vehicle with respect to the initial scheduled arrival time of the vehicle at the destination indicated by the vehicle dispatch plan. Then, when it is determined that, in the current circumstances, early arrival of the vehicle at the destination indicated by a first vehicle dispatch plan based on the user's first vehicle dispatch reservation request will occur, the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit updates and changes at least one of a first scheduled departure time at a first departure location indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan, and a second scheduled departure time at a second departure location indicated by a second vehicle dispatch plan that is based on the user's second vehicle dispatch reservation request related to said destination.

Description

Vehicle allocation management device and vehicle allocation management method

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle allocation management device and a vehicle allocation management method.

[0002] Fleet management is known as a method for managing vehicle dispatches to improve user convenience while increasing vehicle utilization rates. For example, a vehicle dispatch plan (vehicle dispatch reservation) is made in response to a user's request for a vehicle dispatch reservation to travel to a destination, and the optimal vehicle is dispatched to the user's departure point (boarding point). In this case, the user travels to the boarding point in time for the reserved departure time.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a boarding management system that aims to improve user convenience. This boarding management system includes a cancellation determination unit that determines whether to perform a cancellation process to cancel the boarding reservation of a person who has booked boarding the mobile object, based on the time difference between a first time, which is the time when the mobile object arrives at the boarding location, and a second time, which is the time when a person who has booked boarding the mobile object arrives at the boarding location.

[0004] JP 2019-175390 A

[0005] For example, a user may make multiple vehicle reservations, departing from their current location, staying at a destination for a certain time, and then traveling to another destination. In such a case, if the user ends up arriving at the first destination (destination) earlier than the originally scheduled arrival time, the user's stay at the destination until the scheduled departure time will be longer than necessary.

[0006] However, the boarding management system of Patent Document 1 below does not take into consideration changing boarding reservations in response to such earlier arrival times. On the other hand, users are inconvenienced by the fact that, even though their business at the destination is completed due to the earlier arrival time (early arrival), there is more time than necessary until the next scheduled departure time, preventing them from making effective use of their time. Therefore, users who thought they could leave immediately after completing their business at the destination had to cancel their previous boarding reservation and make a new boarding reservation from the destination, which was inconvenient. Furthermore, even if an earlier arrival at the destination is known before boarding the vehicle, the scheduled departure time of the vehicle is not delayed.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle dispatch management device and a vehicle dispatch management method that, in a vehicle dispatch service for a vehicle reservation request from a user who travels around multiple destinations, can suggest to the user a vehicle dispatch reservation that allows the user to make effective use of their time by changing the scheduled departure time if the scheduled arrival time at the destination is earlier than originally planned.

[0008] The present invention, which aims to solve the above problems, comprises the following invention-specifying matters and technical features.

[0009] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle dispatch management device that manages vehicle dispatch in response to a vehicle dispatch reservation request from a user. The vehicle dispatch management device includes a vehicle dispatch plan creation unit that creates a vehicle dispatch plan based on the user's vehicle dispatch reservation request, a driving instruction unit that issues driving instructions to the vehicles in accordance with the vehicle dispatch plan, and an early arrival status determination unit that determines whether the vehicle is arriving early relative to an original scheduled arrival time at the destination indicated by the vehicle dispatch plan. When it is determined that a situation will occur in which an early arrival at the destination indicated by a first vehicle dispatch plan based on the user's first vehicle dispatch reservation request will occur, the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit updates the vehicle dispatch plan to change at least one of a first scheduled departure time from a first departure point indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan and a second scheduled departure time from a second departure point indicated by a second vehicle dispatch plan based on the user's second vehicle dispatch reservation request that is related to the destination.

[0010] The present invention also provides a vehicle allocation management method using a vehicle allocation management device that manages vehicle allocation in response to a vehicle allocation request, a computer program for executing the method, and a recording medium on which the method is non-temporarily recorded.

[0011] According to the present invention, in a vehicle dispatch service that responds to a vehicle request from a user who travels around multiple destinations, if the estimated arrival time of vehicle V at the destination is earlier than originally planned, the scheduled departure time from the first departure point is postponed (delayed) or the scheduled departure time from the next departure point related to the destination is advanced (advanced) depending on various circumstances surrounding the user. This frees the user from the hassle of changing their vehicle dispatch reservation, and by changing the scheduled departure time, the user can make effective use of their time while ensuring a sufficient and necessary stay time.

[0012] Other technical features, objects, and operational effects or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting, and other effects may also be present.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a vehicle dispatch management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration model of a vehicle dispatch management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a user information database of a vehicle dispatch management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating details of a vehicle dispatch planner in a vehicle dispatch management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface screen of an information communication terminal device in a vehicle dispatch management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating another example of a user interface screen of an information communication terminal device in a vehicle dispatch management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a change of a scheduled departure time indicated in a vehicle dispatch plan by a vehicle dispatch management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a condition for changing a scheduled departure time by a vehicle dispatch management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8A is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for changing a scheduled departure time by a vehicle dispatch management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8B is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for changing a scheduled departure time by a vehicle dispatch management device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are merely examples, and are not intended to exclude various modifications or applications of techniques not explicitly described below. The present invention can be implemented in various modifications (e.g., by combining the various embodiments) without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, in the following description of the drawings, identical or similar parts are denoted by identical or similar reference numerals. The drawings are schematic and do not necessarily correspond to actual dimensions, ratios, etc. Parts in the drawings may have different dimensional relationships or ratios.

[0015] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a vehicle dispatch management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the vehicle dispatch management system 1 includes a vehicle dispatch management device 10, an information communication terminal device 20, and a vehicle V, which are interconnected via a communication network N so as to be able to communicate with each other. The vehicle dispatch management system 1 can also be connected via the communication network N to a road traffic information management system 30 that provides various traffic information in real time. The vehicle dispatch management system 1 provides a vehicle dispatch service using multiple vehicles V, for example, for a certain area.

[0016] The vehicle dispatch management device 10 is a computing device that comprehensively manages a vehicle dispatch service using multiple vehicles V in a target area of ​​the vehicle dispatch service. The target area of ​​the vehicle dispatch service may be divided into several areas (sub-areas). The vehicle dispatch management device 10, for example, implements a vehicle dispatch management server program and executes the vehicle dispatch management server program under the control of a processor, thereby realizing the vehicle dispatch service. In particular, the vehicle dispatch management server program of the present disclosure includes a subprogram or module for monitoring early arrival (early arrival) of vehicles heading to a destination in a vehicle dispatch service for a user who travels between multiple destinations, and, if it is determined that an early arrival has occurred, updating the vehicle dispatch plan so as to change either the scheduled departure time from the first departure point or the scheduled departure time from the next departure point related to the destination in accordance with predetermined conditions.

[0017] The vehicle dispatch management device 10 includes various databases 12 that accumulate and manage data necessary to realize the vehicle dispatch service. The databases 12 may include, for example, a user information database 12a, a road map information database 12b, a vehicle information database 12c, a vehicle dispatch plan database 12d, and a vehicle dispatch reservation database 12e (see FIG. 2). The databases 12 may be configured as part of the vehicle dispatch management device 10, or all or part of the databases 12 may be configured separately from the vehicle dispatch management device 10.

[0018] In general, the vehicle dispatch management device 10 accepts a vehicle dispatch reservation request from a user who wishes to dispatch a vehicle V to travel between multiple destinations, selects a vehicle V to be assigned to the user based on the vehicle dispatch reservation request, creates a vehicle dispatch plan for the vehicle, and proposes the created vehicle dispatch plan to the user. The vehicle dispatch management device 10 confirms the vehicle dispatch plan upon the user's consent to the proposed vehicle dispatch plan, and issues operating instructions to the vehicle V in accordance with the confirmed vehicle dispatch plan. The user may specify multiple destinations for the circular travel in a single vehicle dispatch reservation request, or may sequentially specify destinations for the circular travel in individual vehicle dispatch reservation requests. For example, a vehicle dispatch reservation request may be made in which the user boards a vehicle at a boarding location near their home, completes their needs at the destination they are visiting, and then returns home from there.

[0019] The vehicle dispatch plan includes a driving route that defines a route from a location where vehicle V is waiting (a starting waiting location), via several points (a departure point and a destination) along the way where the user gets on and off, to a final waiting location (which is not necessarily the same as the initial waiting location). If vehicle V is waiting, the vehicle dispatch plan is newly created based on the received vehicle dispatch reservation request, and if vehicle V is in operation, the vehicle dispatch plan can be updated based on the vehicle dispatch reservation request. In the present disclosure, if it is determined that a situation will occur in which vehicle V dispatched according to a vehicle dispatch plan based on a user's vehicle dispatch reservation request will arrive at the destination early, the vehicle dispatch plan is updated according to predetermined conditions so as to delay the scheduled departure time from the departure location before boarding by a predetermined time or to advance the departure time from the next departure location related to the destination by a predetermined time.

[0020] In the present disclosure, a vehicle reservation refers to reserving a vehicle V in advance for a vehicle dispatch service from the user's perspective, and a vehicle dispatch plan refers to planning a vehicle dispatch service for each vehicle V from the vehicle dispatch service provider's perspective (i.e., the vehicle dispatch management device 10). Therefore, when a user makes multiple vehicle dispatch reservations to travel between multiple destinations, the vehicle V that the user boards may be different each time, and in this case, the vehicle dispatch plan is different for each vehicle dispatch reservation made by the user.

[0021] The vehicle V is a vehicle registered in the vehicle information database 12c and provided for use by users in the vehicle dispatch service. The vehicle V is an autonomous vehicle (unmanned vehicle) operated by an autonomous driving system, and the so-called autonomous driving level does not matter. Furthermore, the vehicle type of the vehicle V (e.g., sedan, minivan, SUV, etc.) does not matter.

[0022] The vehicle V is equipped with a control device CTL that controls the vehicle V itself or its onboard equipment in accordance with operation instructions from the vehicle dispatch management device 10. Although not shown, the control device CTL is configured to include a processor, memory, etc., and realizes various functions by executing a control program. Furthermore, under the control of the control device CTL, the vehicle V obtains its own position information (vehicle position information) from, for example, a GPS system and transmits this to the vehicle dispatch management device 10. The vehicle dispatch management device 10 grasps and monitors the current position of the vehicle V in accordance with the vehicle position information transmitted from the vehicle V.

[0023] The information and communication terminal device 20 is, for example, a computing device through which a user wishing to ride makes a vehicle reservation request by operating a user interface. The information and communication terminal device 20 may be, for example, a smartphone, a pad computer, a laptop personal computer, a desktop computer, or the like, but is not limited to these. The information and communication terminal device 20 implements, for example, a vehicle dispatch management client program (a so-called vehicle dispatch app). The information and communication terminal device 20 executes the vehicle dispatch app under the control of a processor, thereby enabling a user to use the vehicle dispatch service of the vehicle dispatch management device 10. For example, a user may make a vehicle dispatch reservation request from a vehicle dispatch reservation request screen (not shown) on the user interface of the information and communication terminal device 20 and, in response, accept the vehicle dispatch plan created by the vehicle dispatch management device 10, thereby making a vehicle dispatch reservation for a vehicle V. In the present disclosure, in a situation in which the vehicle V arrives early at the destination and the scheduled departure time is changed by the vehicle dispatch management device 10, the information and communication terminal device 20 displays a vehicle dispatch reservation proposal related to the changed scheduled departure time on the user interface (see FIGS. 5A and 5B ).

[0024] The road traffic information management system 30 is an information and communication system that provides road traffic information in real time. For example, the road traffic information management system 30 collects road traffic data from various monitoring equipment installed on roads and from a control device CTL installed in the vehicle V, and manages road traffic information by processing and editing the data in an integrated manner. The monitoring equipment includes, but is not limited to, live cameras and vehicle sensors. The edited road traffic information may include, for example, information on road closures and detour routes, and the travel time between points via a specific route. The road traffic information management system 30 appropriately provides the road traffic information to the vehicle dispatch management device 10 and the vehicle V. In addition to weather information, traffic information, and road regulation information, the road traffic information management system 30 may provide the vehicle dispatch management device 10 with video information from live cameras, audio information from sound-collecting microphones, and sensor information from vehicle sensors obtained from the monitoring equipment as travel management information. This allows the vehicle dispatch management device 10 to appropriately monitor and guide the vehicle V according to the travel management information and predict whether the vehicle will arrive early or late at its destination (arrival delay).

[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration model of a vehicle dispatch management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the vehicle dispatch management device 10 may be configured as a functional configuration model including functional components such as a front-end processing unit 110, a vehicle dispatch planning unit 120, and a vehicle communication unit 130. Furthermore, as described above, the vehicle dispatch management device 10 includes various databases 12. This functional model is realized by the vehicle dispatch management device 10 executing a vehicle dispatch management server program under the control of a processor, thereby cooperating with various hardware resources. The functional configuration model shown here is an example, and all or part of the functions of a certain functional component may be realized by other functional components. For ease of explanation, the figure also illustrates the user's information communication terminal device 20 and the control device CTL in the vehicle V.

[0026] The user information database 12a stores information about users who use the ride-hailing service (hereinafter referred to as "user information"). The user information includes, for example, a user ID and password, personal attributes (gender, age, address, etc.), and information about service usage. The user information is registered in the user information database 12a under the control of the ride-hailing management device 10, for example, when the user first starts up the ride-hailing app and inputs predetermined information.

[0027] The user information may also include behavior history information relating to the user's past behavior history, as shown in FIG. 3 . The behavior history information is generated, for example, based on the user's past ride-hailing reservations. The behavior history information may also include visit information relating to places visited by the user and the time spent visiting those places. The visited places and / or the time spent visiting may be entered by the user when requesting a ride-hailing reservation, or may be estimated from the destination. Alternatively, such visit information may be collected by a subsequent questionnaire or the like.

[0028] Furthermore, the user information may include information about the user's past riding preferences (hereinafter referred to as "riding preference information"). The riding preference information is information indicating whether the user tends to prefer to advance or delay the scheduled departure time of the vehicle V they are about to board. The riding preference information is generated, for example, based on the user's response (acceptance or rejection) to a proposal to change a past ride reservation. Alternatively, the riding preference information is input by the user on the ride-hailing app when making a ride-hailing reservation request. Alternatively, the riding preference information may be determined depending on the time of the ride reservation (for example, if it is early in the morning, a delay is prioritized).

[0029] Returning to Figure 2, the road map information database 12b stores road map information for the target area of ​​the vehicle dispatch service. The road map information includes map data on addresses, place names, road networks (links and nodes), various facilities (e.g., police stations), etc. The road map information also includes information necessary for searching for a driving route, such as road information, feature information, and environmental information. The road information includes road attribute information such as road type (e.g., community road, arterial road, etc.), road width, pedestrian / vehicle divider, median, and lane.

[0030] The vehicle information database 12c stores information (vehicle information) about the vehicle V available for use by the user. The vehicle information includes, for example, a vehicle ID, vehicle attributes (vehicle registration number, vehicle model, maximum number of occupants / maximum load capacity, level of autonomous driving, etc.), vehicle characteristics, other specifications (total length, total width, vehicle height, weight, etc.), a current vehicle dispatch plan, current location, and current status (service status, remaining battery capacity (travel range), number of occupants, etc.). Vehicle information such as location information acquired from the vehicle V via the communication control unit 140 can be updated as needed.

[0031] The vehicle allocation plan database 12d stores a vehicle allocation plan for each vehicle V created by the vehicle allocation planning unit 120 based on a vehicle allocation reservation request. As described above, the vehicle allocation plan includes a driving route from a waiting location serving as a starting point to a waiting location serving as a terminal point via several boarding and disembarking points (departure and arrival points), an estimated arrival time at each intermediate point, and the like.

[0032] The vehicle reservation database 12e stores information about vehicle reservations based on user vehicle reservation requests. The vehicle reservation includes, for example, information about the user name, the vehicle to be allocated, the reservation date, the departure point, the scheduled departure time, the destination, and the scheduled arrival time.

[0033] The front-end processing unit 110 performs various processes between the user and the information communication terminal device 20. As an example, the front-end processing unit 110 refers to the user information database 12a and performs login authentication processing in accordance with a login request from a vehicle dispatch application on the user's information communication terminal device 20. The front-end processing unit 110 also accepts a vehicle dispatch reservation request from the vehicle dispatch application on the user's information communication terminal device 20, passes it to the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 120, and interacts with the information communication terminal device 20 to receive the user's approval or disapproval of the vehicle dispatch plan (vehicle dispatch reservation) created by the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 120 in response to the request.

[0034] The vehicle allocation planning unit 120 extracts candidate vehicles (candidate vehicles) from among the vehicles V in the target area based on the received vehicle allocation reservation request, and creates a vehicle allocation plan for the candidate vehicles. The vehicle allocation planning unit 120 proposes the created vehicle allocation plan to the user and confirms it upon receiving the user's approval. The vehicle allocation planning unit 120 then stores the confirmed vehicle allocation plan in the vehicle allocation plan database 12d, and issues operation instructions to the corresponding vehicles V via the vehicle communication unit 130. The vehicle allocation planning unit 120 registers the user's vehicle allocation reservation based on the confirmed vehicle allocation plan in the user information database 12a.

[0035] In the present disclosure, when the vehicle dispatch planning unit 120 determines that a vehicle V dispatched according to a vehicle dispatch plan based on a user's vehicle dispatch reservation request will arrive early at the destination, it updates the vehicle dispatch plan in accordance with specified conditions so as to delay the scheduled departure time at the previous departure point by a specified time or to advance the departure time at the next departure point related to the destination by a specified time.

[0036] The vehicle communication unit 130 exchanges various types of information with the vehicle V via the communication network N. For example, the vehicle communication unit 130 acquires vehicle information including the location information of the vehicle V and passes it to the vehicle allocation plan creation unit 120, and also transmits driving instructions to the vehicle V in accordance with the vehicle allocation plan created by the vehicle allocation plan creation unit 120.

[0037] 4 is a block diagram showing details of the vehicle dispatch planning unit in the vehicle dispatch management device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the vehicle dispatch planning unit 120 includes, for example, a vehicle dispatch reservation request acquisition unit 121, a driving route determination unit 122, a vehicle information acquisition unit 123, a vehicle selection unit 124, a vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 125, a driving instruction unit 126, an early arrival status determination unit 127, and an estimated stay time calculation unit 128.

[0038] The vehicle dispatch reservation request acquisition unit 121 acquires or accepts a vehicle dispatch reservation request from a user via the front-end processing unit 110. The time when the vehicle dispatch reservation request acquisition unit 1201 acquires a vehicle dispatch reservation request is the time when timing of various limit times (such as a boarding limit time and a disembarking limit time, which are the limit times by which a user must board or disembark) for creating a vehicle dispatch plan begins.

[0039] In the present disclosure, the vehicle reservation request acquisition unit 121 acquires vehicle reservation requests for a user to travel around multiple destinations. For example, a user makes a first vehicle reservation request on a vehicle reservation app for departing from a first departure point at 9:00 and arriving at a destination at 9:30, and subsequently makes a second vehicle reservation request for departing from the destination as the next departure point (second departure point) at 10:10. Note that the next departure point may be substantially the same location as the destination, and may be, for example, a location that is a short walk away. In the present disclosure, such a second departure point in consecutive vehicle reservations may be referred to as a departure point related to the destination.

[0040] The travel route determination unit 122 determines an optimal travel route based on the vehicle reservation request. For example, the travel route determination unit 122 determines a travel route from the departure point to the destination by using a route search engine that searches for a route based on the departure point and destination indicated in the vehicle reservation request while referring to the road map information database 12b.

[0041] The vehicle information acquisition unit 123 acquires vehicle information from each vehicle V via the vehicle communication unit 130 at a predetermined timing. The vehicle information may include vehicle position information and remaining energy amount of the vehicle V. For example, the vehicle information acquisition unit 123 may periodically acquire vehicle information transmitted from each vehicle V, or may periodically or irregularly request a specific vehicle V to transmit vehicle information, and acquire vehicle information transmitted from the specific vehicle V in response to the request. The vehicle information acquisition unit 123 stores the acquired vehicle information of each vehicle V in the vehicle information database 12c. The vehicle position information may be used when extracting a vehicle V to be dispatched to a user based on its positional relationship with the vehicle V's driving route.

[0042] The vehicle selection unit 124 extracts and selects a specific vehicle suited to the travel route from among a plurality of vehicles V. For example, the vehicle selection unit 124 first refers to the vehicle information database 12c, etc., and extracts vehicles V that are near the departure point indicated in the vehicle reservation request and based on the location information indicated in the vehicle information. Next, the vehicle selection unit 124 selects a vehicle V suited to the travel route from among the extracted vehicles V, taking into consideration constraints such as various limit allowable time.

[0043] The vehicle allocation plan creation unit 125 creates a vehicle allocation plan for the vehicle V based on the travel route and the vehicle V. If the vehicle V is on standby, the vehicle allocation plan creation unit 126 creates a new vehicle allocation plan based on the vehicle allocation reservation request, and if the vehicle V is in operation, the vehicle allocation plan creation unit 126 updates the vehicle allocation plan for the vehicle V stored in the vehicle allocation plan database 12d based on the vehicle allocation reservation request.

[0044] Furthermore, the vehicle allocation plan creation unit 125 proposes the created vehicle allocation plan to the user, and upon receiving the user's acceptance, confirms the vehicle allocation plan. That is, the vehicle allocation plan creation unit 125 transmits the vehicle allocation plan to the user's information communication terminal device 20 via the front-end processing unit 110 and causes the information communication terminal device 20 to display the vehicle allocation plan on the user interface. The user accepts or rejects the vehicle allocation plan (vehicle allocation reservation), and in response, the terminal device 20 transmits a notification of acceptance or rejection. Upon receiving the user's acceptance notification via the front-end processing unit 110, the vehicle allocation plan creation unit 125 confirms the vehicle allocation plan and notifies the vehicle allocation plan creation unit 126. In response, the vehicle allocation plan creation unit 126 registers the confirmed vehicle allocation plan in the vehicle allocation plan database 12d and notifies the operation instruction unit 128. In addition, the vehicle allocation plan creation unit 125 registers the user's vehicle allocation reservation based on the confirmed vehicle allocation plan in the vehicle allocation reservation database 12e.

[0045] In the present disclosure, when the early arrival situation determination unit 127 (described later) determines that the vehicle V being boarded by the user has arrived at the destination early, the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 125 updates the vehicle dispatch plan and the vehicle dispatch reservation according to a predetermined condition, so as to delay the scheduled departure time from the first departure point by a predetermined time or advance the scheduled departure time from the next departure point related to the destination by a predetermined time. In this case, the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 125 performs control to propose the advanced or advanced new scheduled departure time to the user. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A , when the user predicts that the arrival at destination B will be early before boarding the vehicle V at departure point A (first departure point), the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 125 proposes to the user whether to delay (postpone) the scheduled departure time from departure point A, advance (advance) the scheduled departure time from the next departure point B (second departure point) related to destination B, or not change the scheduled departure time. The vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 125 may register the user's selection in the user information database as a user preference. 5B , if the user is expected to arrive at destination B earlier after getting on vehicle V at departure point A, the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 125 suggests to the user whether to advance the scheduled departure time at the next departure point B related to destination B. This allows the user to know the change in the scheduled departure time due to the vehicle V's earlier arrival at the destination, and the user can effectively use the time until the scheduled departure time at the departure point, or can accomplish their intended purpose at the destination in accordance with the new scheduled departure time.

[0046] The operation instruction unit 126 issues operation instructions to the corresponding vehicle V according to the confirmed vehicle allocation plan. Operation instructions are issued to the assigned vehicle V according to the confirmed vehicle allocation plan. The control device CTL of the vehicle V that has received the operation instructions uses a navigation function to display a driving route according to the vehicle allocation plan, for example, on a user interface. Alternatively, in the case of an unmanned vehicle, the control device CTL determines a detailed actual driving route according to the driving route in the vehicle allocation plan, and performs control so that the vehicle autonomously drives along the actual driving route.

[0047] The early arrival situation determination unit 127 determines whether or not an early arrival of the vehicle V at the destination has occurred. In this case, the early arrival situation determination unit 127 calculates the time saved due to the early arrival of the vehicle V relative to the original scheduled arrival time of the vehicle V at the destination (hereinafter referred to as the "early arrival saved time"). The original scheduled arrival time is the scheduled arrival time calculated when the user made a vehicle dispatch reservation request. For example, the early arrival situation determination unit 127 calculates the expected arrival time at the destination based on vehicle position information acquired from the vehicle V traveling along the route in accordance with the dispatch plan and road traffic information acquired from the road traffic information management system 30, and calculates the early arrival saved time based on the original scheduled arrival time and the calculated expected arrival time. This makes it possible to change any scheduled departure time in consideration of the early arrival saved time in a situation where an early arrival at the destination occurs.

[0048] Furthermore, the early arrival situation determination unit 127 can determine whether an early arrival occurs at the first departure point before the user boards the vehicle V. For example, the early arrival situation determination unit 127 can determine that an early arrival occurs when, based on road traffic information from the road traffic information management system 30, the traffic flow on the driving route indicated in the vehicle dispatch plan is expected to improve compared to the forecast at the time of the vehicle dispatch reservation. Alternatively, the early arrival situation determination unit 127 determines that an early arrival occurs when, in a vehicle dispatch plan for a vehicle V in which multiple users are to share a ride, a change such as a shortened driving route occurs due to a user canceling the vehicle dispatch reservation. This makes it possible to determine whether the scheduled departure time of the first departure point or the next departure point should be changed based on the timing before and after the user boards the vehicle V.

[0049] Furthermore, the early arrival situation determination unit 127 can determine whether or not an early arrival occurs at the first departure point after the user gets into the vehicle V. This makes it possible to change the scheduled departure time at the next departure point related to the destination even if an early arrival occurs for the vehicle V heading to the destination.

[0050] The estimated stay time calculation unit 128 calculates an estimated stay time of the user at the destination indicated in the vehicle dispatch plan (vehicle dispatch reservation) based on the user's behavior history information. For example, when it is determined that the vehicle V has arrived early at the destination, the estimated stay time calculation unit 128 statistically calculates an estimated stay time (e.g., average stay time) based on the time the user stayed at the same destination indicated by the user's behavior history information in the user information database 12a. This effectively estimates the stay time required for the user to achieve their intended purpose at the destination, making it possible to determine a scheduled departure time that takes the estimated stay time into consideration.

[0051] 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining changes to scheduled departure times indicated by a vehicle dispatch plan by a vehicle dispatch management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the diagram, the horizontal axis is the time axis, and indicates an initial scheduled departure time T1_DP from a first departure point and an initial scheduled arrival time T1_ETA at a first destination indicated by a first vehicle dispatch plan, and an initial scheduled departure time T2_DP from a second departure point and an initial scheduled arrival time T2_ETA at a second destination indicated by a second vehicle dispatch plan.

[0052] As shown in Figure (a), if an earlier arrival is expected at a first destination than the original scheduled arrival time T1_ETA, and there is no change in the scheduled departure time T2_DP from a second departure point related to the first destination, the stay time at the first destination will be extended by the earlier arrival reduction time, and depending on the user, this time may be wasted.

[0053] Therefore, when it is predicted that the user will arrive at the first destination earlier than the first departure point before boarding the vehicle V at the first departure point, the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 125 may change the vehicle dispatch plan (vehicle dispatch reservation) so as to postpone (delay) the scheduled departure time T2_DP at the first departure point by the early arrival reduction time, as shown in FIG. 11(b) (first change pattern). This allows the user to effectively use the time until the scheduled departure time at the first departure point.

[0054] On the other hand, if it is predicted that the user will arrive at the first destination earlier after boarding vehicle V at the first departure location, the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 125 may modify the vehicle dispatch plan (vehicle dispatch reservation) so as to advance (shorten) the scheduled departure time at the second departure location by the early arrival reduction time, as shown in FIG. 1C (second modification pattern). Even if it is predicted that the user will arrive at the destination earlier before boarding vehicle V at the first departure location, the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 125 may modify the vehicle dispatch plan so as to advance (shorten) the scheduled departure time at the departure location by the early arrival reduction time, as shown in FIG. 1C (second modification pattern). This allows the user to accomplish their intended purpose at the destination in accordance with the new scheduled departure time at the destination.

[0055] More specifically, when it is determined that an early arrival will occur at the first departure location indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan before the user boards the vehicle V, and when the user's stay time slot at the destination indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan cannot be changed, the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 125 updates the first vehicle dispatch plan to postpone the first scheduled departure time according to the early arrival reduction time ( FIG. 6( b) ). For example, when the user is required to be at the destination during that time slot due to factors such as the business hours of a facility at the destination or the impossibility of rebooking, the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 125 may determine whether the stay time slot can be changed based on the content of the vehicle dispatch reservation request input by the user. As a result, even when the user's stay time slot cannot be changed, postponing the scheduled departure time at the first departure location ensures that the user can stay at the destination during the time slot they desire, while also allowing the user to effectively utilize the time before the scheduled departure time at the first departure location before boarding.

[0056] Furthermore, when it is determined that an early arrival will occur at the first departure location indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan before the user boards the vehicle V, if the user's stay time at the destination indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan is changeable and the second scheduled departure time at the second departure location indicated by the second vehicle dispatch plan is not changeable, the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 125 updates the first vehicle dispatch plan to postpone the first scheduled departure time according to the early arrival reduction time ( FIG. 6( b) ). For example, the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 125 may determine whether the second scheduled departure time is changeable based on the availability of vehicle dispatch reservations for the vehicle V according to the second vehicle dispatch plan. As a result, even if the scheduled departure time at the second departure location related to the destination cannot be changed, postponing the scheduled departure time at the first departure location ensures that the user can stay at the destination during the desired time period, while also allowing the user to effectively utilize the time until the scheduled departure time at the first departure location before boarding.

[0057] Furthermore, when the user's stay time period at the destination indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan is changeable, the second scheduled departure time indicated by the second vehicle dispatch plan is changeable, and the user's preference indicates a postponement of the first scheduled departure time, the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 125 updates the first vehicle dispatch plan so as to postpone the first scheduled departure time in accordance with the early arrival reduction time ( FIG. 6( b) ). For example, when requesting a vehicle dispatch reservation, the user may specify whether or not they wish to postpone the first scheduled departure time. Alternatively, the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 125 may specify whether or not they wish to postpone the first scheduled departure time on a vehicle dispatch reservation proposal screen after the vehicle dispatch reservation, such as that shown in FIG. 5A . The vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 125 may determine whether or not the user's preference indicates a postponement of the first scheduled departure time in accordance with such a user specification. This allows the user's preferences to be given priority and the scheduled departure time from the first departure point to be delayed, thereby ensuring that the user has sufficient time to stay at the destination, while also allowing the user to effectively utilize the time until the scheduled departure time from the first departure point.

[0058] Furthermore, even if the user's stay time period at the destination indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan is changeable and the second scheduled departure time indicated by the second vehicle dispatch plan is changeable, if the user's preference does not indicate that the first scheduled departure time should be delayed, the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 125 updates the second vehicle dispatch plan so as to advance the second scheduled departure time in accordance with the time allowed for early arrival reduction ( FIG. 6( c) ). By thus advancing the scheduled departure time from the second departure point while giving priority to the user's preference, the user is assured of a sufficient stay time at the destination, while the user's schedule is brought forward, allowing the user to effectively utilize the time thereafter.

[0059] Furthermore, when it is determined that an early arrival will occur after the user boards vehicle V at the first departure point indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan, and when the user's stay time at the destination indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan is changeable and the second scheduled departure time indicated by the second vehicle dispatch plan is changeable, the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 125 updates the second vehicle dispatch plan so as to advance the second scheduled departure time in accordance with the early arrival reduction time ( FIG. 6( c) ). As a result, even when an early arrival will occur after the user boards vehicle V, by advancing the scheduled departure time at the second departure point, the user can be sure to have a sufficient amount of time to stay at the destination, while the user's schedule is brought forward, allowing the user to make effective use of the time thereafter.

[0060] In addition, when changing the first scheduled departure time or the second scheduled departure time, the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 125 may delay the first scheduled departure time or advance the second scheduled departure time depending on the estimated stay time estimated by the estimated stay time calculation unit 128.

[0061] The predetermined conditions for the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 125 to propose a delay in the first scheduled departure time or an advance in the second scheduled departure time as described above are summarized in Fig. 7. That is, as shown in Fig. 7, the predetermined conditions may include, for example, (1) the timing for determining whether an early arrival occurs (based on the time of boarding), (2) whether the time period during which the vehicle will be staying at the destination can be changed, (3) whether the scheduled departure time indicated by the second vehicle dispatch plan can be changed, and (4) the user's preference regarding time changes.

[0062] 8A and 8B are flowcharts showing an example of a process for changing a scheduled departure time by a vehicle dispatch management device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a flowchart showing the process branched from processing step S807 in FIG. 7A. This process is realized by the vehicle dispatch management device 10 executing a vehicle dispatch management server program under the control of a processor, thereby cooperating with various hardware resources. It is assumed that, prior to the process for changing the scheduled departure time, the vehicle dispatch management device 10 has created a first vehicle dispatch plan and a second vehicle dispatch plan for the same day in response to two user vehicle dispatch reservation requests in the area covered by the vehicle dispatch service.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 1A, the vehicle dispatch management device 10 calculates the early arrival reduction time at the destination indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan based on vehicle position information acquired from the traveling vehicle V (S801) and monitors whether an early arrival occurs relative to the original scheduled arrival time at the destination (S802). For example, the vehicle dispatch management device 10 calculates the current position of the vehicle V based on vehicle position information acquired from the traveling vehicle V at any time, predicts traffic flow on the traveling route of the vehicle V based on road traffic information acquired from the road traffic information management system 30, calculates the latest scheduled arrival time, and calculates the early arrival reduction time based on the latest scheduled arrival time and the original scheduled arrival time. Alternatively, the vehicle dispatch management device 10 may calculate the early arrival reduction time based on road traffic information acquired from the road traffic information management system 30 before a user boards the vehicle V. Alternatively, in a vehicle dispatch plan for a vehicle V to be shared by multiple users, if a user cancels a vehicle dispatch reservation, causing a change in the traveling route, the vehicle dispatch management device 10 may recalculate the early arrival reduction time according to an update to the vehicle dispatch plan. In addition, the vehicle dispatch management device 10 may determine that an early arrival has occurred if the early arrival is greater than the early arrival reduction time that a normal user would be able to accept (for example, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, etc.).

[0064] When the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines that the vehicle V has arrived early based on the calculation of the early arrival reduction time (Yes in S802), the vehicle dispatch management device 10 subsequently determines whether the timing of the determination of the early arrival occurred before the user boarded the vehicle V (S803). When the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines that the timing of the determination of the early arrival did not occur before boarding (No in S803), the vehicle dispatch management device 10 subsequently determines whether the user's stay time period at the destination can be changed (S804). When the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines that the user's stay time period at the destination cannot be changed (No in S804), the scheduled departure times at either departure point cannot be changed, and the processing is terminated. On the other hand, when the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines that the user's stay time period at the destination can be changed (Yes in S804), the vehicle dispatch management device 10 subsequently determines whether the second scheduled departure time indicated in the second vehicle dispatch plan can be changed (S805).

[0065] If the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines that the second scheduled departure time indicated by the second vehicle dispatch plan cannot be changed (No in S805), there is no scheduled departure time that can be changed, and the processing is terminated. On the other hand, if the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines that the second scheduled departure time indicated by the second vehicle dispatch plan can be changed (Yes in S805), the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines the new scheduled departure time from the second departure location to be a time that is earlier than the second scheduled departure time indicated by the second vehicle dispatch plan based on the early arrival time reduction time (S806). For example, if the early arrival time reduction time at the destination is 15 minutes, the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines the new scheduled departure time to be a time that is earlier than the second scheduled departure time indicated by the second vehicle dispatch plan by 15 minutes.

[0066] On the other hand, if the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines that the timing of the early arrival occurrence is before boarding (Yes in S803), the vehicle dispatch management device 10 similarly determines whether the user's stay time at the destination can be changed (S807). If the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines that the user's stay time at the destination cannot be changed (No in S807), the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines a time obtained by delaying the first scheduled departure time indicated in the first vehicle dispatch plan based on the early arrival reduction time as a new scheduled departure time from the first departure point (S808). For example, if the early arrival reduction time at the destination is 15 minutes, the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines a time obtained by delaying the first scheduled departure time from the first departure point indicated in the first vehicle dispatch plan by 15 minutes as the new scheduled departure time.

[0067] On the other hand, if the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines that the user's stay time at the destination can be changed (Yes in S807), the vehicle dispatch management device 10 subsequently determines whether the scheduled departure time indicated by the second vehicle dispatch plan can be changed (S809 in FIG. 8B). If the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines that the second scheduled departure time indicated by the second vehicle dispatch plan cannot be changed (No in S809), the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines that the new scheduled departure time at the first departure point is a time that is delayed from the first scheduled departure time indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan based on the early arrival reduction time (S810).

[0068] On the other hand, the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines that the second scheduled departure time indicated by the second vehicle dispatch plan can be changed (Yes in S809), and then refers to the user information database 12a to determine whether the user's riding preference is to postpone (S811). The user's riding preference is based on, for example, the user's selection history in response to suggestions for changing the scheduled departure time.

[0069] When the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines that the user's boarding preference is to postpone (Yes in S811), the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines that the new scheduled departure time at the first departure location is the time obtained by postponing the first scheduled departure time indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan based on the early arrival reduction time (S810). On the other hand, when the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines that the user's boarding preference is not to postpone (No in S811), the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines that the new scheduled departure time at the second departure location is the time obtained by advancing the second scheduled departure time indicated by the second vehicle dispatch plan based on the early arrival reduction time (S812).

[0070] Through the above-described processing, the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines a new scheduled departure time at the first departure location or the second departure location, and then suggests to the user a change to the vehicle dispatch reservation based on the new scheduled departure time, for example, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B (S713).

[0071] Next, the vehicle dispatch management device 10 determines whether the user has accepted the proposed change to the vehicle dispatch reservation (S714). If the user has accepted the proposed change to the vehicle dispatch reservation (Yes in S714), the vehicle dispatch management device 10 updates the vehicle dispatch reservation and updates the vehicle dispatch plan corresponding to the vehicle dispatch reservation (S715). Next, the vehicle dispatch management device 10 transmits operation instructions based on the updated vehicle dispatch plan to the vehicle V.

[0072] In addition, if the vehicle dispatch management device 10 receives a non-acceptance (rejection) from the user of the proposed vehicle dispatch plan (No in S714), the vehicle dispatch management device 10 will prioritize the user's wishes and will not change the scheduled departure time, even if a delay occurs.

[0073] When changing the scheduled departure time, the vehicle dispatch management device 10 may delay the scheduled departure time from the first departure location indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan and / or advance the scheduled departure time from the second departure location related to the destination indicated by the second vehicle dispatch plan based on the estimated stay time at the destination calculated based on the user's behavior history information, in addition to the estimated time saved by the early arrival. For example, if the estimated time saved by the early arrival is 15 minutes, the vehicle dispatch management device 10 may delay the first scheduled departure time from the first departure location indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan by 10 minutes to set a new scheduled departure time, and advance the second scheduled departure time from the second departure location indicated by the second vehicle dispatch plan by 5 minutes. This prevents a significant deviation from the original scheduled departure time from the first departure location indicated by the first vehicle dispatch reservation, while ensuring a stay time at the destination and allowing the user to advance the second scheduled departure time from the second departure location indicated by the second vehicle dispatch reservation, thereby enabling the user to make effective use of their time.

[0074] As described above, according to this embodiment, in a vehicle dispatch service for a vehicle dispatch request from a user who travels around multiple destinations, if the scheduled arrival time of vehicle V at the destination is earlier than originally planned, the vehicle dispatch management device 10 can postpone the scheduled departure time from the first departure point, or postpone the scheduled departure time from the next departure point related to the destination, in accordance with specified conditions.This frees the user from the hassle of changing their vehicle dispatch reservation, and also enables them to make effective use of their time while ensuring that they spend a sufficient amount of time at the destination.

[0075] The above-described embodiments are merely examples for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to these embodiments. The present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0076] For example, in the methods disclosed herein, steps, operations, or functions may be performed in parallel or in a different order unless the results are inconsistent. The steps, operations, and functions described are provided merely as examples, and some of the steps, operations, and functions may be omitted or combined into one, or other steps, operations, or functions may be added, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0077] Furthermore, although various embodiments are disclosed in this specification, specific features (technical matters) in one embodiment can be added to or substituted for specific features in other embodiments, with appropriate modifications, and such forms are also included in the spirit of the present invention.

[0078] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Vehicle dispatch management system 10... Vehicle dispatch management device 110... Front-end processing unit 120... Vehicle dispatch planning unit 121... Vehicle dispatch reservation request acquisition unit 122... Travel route determination unit 123... Vehicle information acquisition unit 124... Vehicle selection unit 125... Vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 126... Operation instruction unit 127... Early arrival situation judgment unit 128... Estimated stay time calculation unit 130... Vehicle communication unit 12... Database 12a... User information database 12b... Road map information database 12c... Vehicle information database 12d... Vehicle dispatch plan database 12e... Vehicle dispatch reservation database 20... Information communication terminal device 30... Road traffic information management system N... Communication network V... Vehicle CTL... Control device

Claims

1. A vehicle dispatch management device that manages vehicle dispatch in response to a user's vehicle dispatch reservation request, comprising: a vehicle dispatch plan creation unit that creates a vehicle dispatch plan based on the user's vehicle dispatch reservation request; an operation instruction unit that gives operation instructions to the vehicle in accordance with the vehicle dispatch plan; and an early arrival status determination unit that determines whether the vehicle is arriving early relative to an original scheduled arrival time at the destination indicated by the vehicle dispatch plan, wherein when it is determined that a situation will occur in which an early arrival at the destination indicated by a first vehicle dispatch plan based on the user's first vehicle dispatch reservation request will occur, the vehicle dispatch management device updates the vehicle dispatch plan to change at least one of a first scheduled departure time from a first departure point indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan and a second scheduled departure time from a second departure point indicated by a second vehicle dispatch plan based on the user's second vehicle dispatch reservation request that is related to the destination.

2. The vehicle dispatch management device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit performs control so as to propose the changed new scheduled departure time to the user.

3. The vehicle dispatch management device according to claim 2, wherein the early arrival status determination unit calculates an early arrival reduction time relative to the original scheduled arrival time at the destination.

4. The vehicle dispatch management device according to claim 3, wherein the early arrival situation determination unit determines whether the early arrival will occur before the user boards the vehicle at the first departure point.

5. The vehicle dispatch management device of claim 4, wherein the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit updates the first vehicle dispatch plan so as to postpone the first scheduled departure time in accordance with the early arrival reduction time if it is determined that the early arrival will occur at the first departure location before the user boards the vehicle and if the user's stay time period at the destination indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan cannot be changed.

6. The vehicle dispatch management device of claim 4, wherein the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit updates the first vehicle dispatch plan so as to postpone the first scheduled departure time in accordance with the early arrival reduction time when it is determined that the early arrival will occur at the first departure location before the user boards the vehicle, and when the user's stay time period at the destination indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan is changeable and the second scheduled departure time indicated by the second vehicle dispatch plan is not changeable.

7. The vehicle dispatch management device of claim 5, wherein the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit updates the first vehicle dispatch plan so as to postpone the first scheduled departure time in accordance with the early arrival reduction time when the user's stay time at the destination indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan is changeable, the second scheduled departure time indicated by the second vehicle dispatch plan is changeable, and the user's riding preference is to postpone the scheduled departure time.

8. The vehicle dispatch management device described in claim 7, wherein the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit updates the second vehicle dispatch plan so as to advance the second scheduled departure time in accordance with the early arrival shortening time when the user's riding preference is not to postpone the scheduled departure time.

9. The vehicle dispatch management device according to claim 3, wherein the early arrival situation determination unit determines whether or not the early arrival will occur after the user boards the vehicle at the first departure point.

10. The vehicle dispatch management device of claim 9, wherein the vehicle dispatch plan creation unit, when it is determined that the early arrival will occur after the user boards the vehicle at the first departure location, updates the second vehicle dispatch plan so as to bring forward the second scheduled departure time in accordance with the early arrival reduction time if the user's stay time at the destination indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan is changeable and the second scheduled departure time indicated by the second vehicle dispatch plan is changeable.

11. A vehicle dispatch management method by a vehicle dispatch management device that manages vehicle dispatch in response to a user's vehicle dispatch reservation request, comprising: creating a vehicle dispatch plan based on the user's vehicle dispatch reservation request; issuing operating instructions to the vehicle in accordance with the vehicle dispatch plan; and determining whether the vehicle will arrive early relative to its original scheduled arrival time at the destination indicated by the vehicle dispatch plan, wherein creating the vehicle dispatch plan includes, when it is determined that a situation will occur in which the vehicle will arrive early at the destination indicated by a first vehicle dispatch plan based on the user's first vehicle dispatch reservation request, updating the vehicle dispatch plan to change at least one of a first scheduled departure time from a first departure point indicated by the first vehicle dispatch plan and a second scheduled departure time from a second departure point indicated by a second vehicle dispatch plan based on the user's second vehicle dispatch reservation request that is related to the destination.

Images