Vehicle dispatch management device and vehicle dispatch management method

Abstract

The present invention is a vehicle dispatch management device that manages vehicle dispatch related to a first transportation mode. The device comprises: a coordination unit that performs coordination processing for vehicle dispatch management with an external device that manages vehicle dispatch related to a second transportation mode; a demand amount calculation unit that calculates the amount of demand for vehicles related to the first transportation mode on the basis of vehicle dispatch requests during a predetermined time period; a vehicle selection unit that selects one vehicle to be dispatched to a user from among a plurality of vehicle candidates on the basis of the user's vehicle dispatch request; a vehicle dispatch plan creation unit that creates a vehicle dispatch plan for the selected vehicle on the basis of the vehicle dispatch request; and an operation instruction unit that instructs the one vehicle to operate, according to the vehicle dispatch plan. The coordination unit determines a support vehicle that can be provided to the external device, on the basis of the calculated amount of demand, and notifies the external device of support provision information including vehicle information of the determined support vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle selection unit excludes the support vehicle from the plurality of vehicle candidates during the predetermined time period.

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] Mobility services are services that provide smooth transportation (transportation) of passengers and / or luggage by vehicle. Mobility services require efficient vehicle allocation to increase the utilization rate of each vehicle while improving user convenience. For example, a vehicle allocation plan (operation plan) is made in response to a user's request for a vehicle allocation to travel to a destination, and an appropriate vehicle is allocated to the user's departure point (boarding point). Furthermore, when there are excess vehicles to be allocated to users in one area and a shortage of vehicles in another area, vehicles may be shared between areas.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a technology for generating a vehicle movement plan in which an operation plan for each area is obtained from each dispatch center that manages the operation plan for that specific area, and based on the obtained operation plan, it is determined whether there is a period in a first area and a second area that are not adjacent to each other, in which the first area has an excess number of vehicles and the second area has a shortage of vehicles; if such a period exists, the surplus vehicles in the first area are loaned to the dispatch center that manages the operation plan for the area between the first and second areas, and the dispatch center in the second area borrows vehicles from the dispatch center that manages the operation plan for the area between the first and second areas.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-166679

[0005] In mobility services, the mode of transporting users and cargo is often regulated by the laws and regulations of the country or the vehicle itself used for the service. For example, in a mode of transporting individual users or small groups, such as a taxi service, unrelated users do not share the same vehicle, as is the case with bus services and other shared vehicle providers.

[0006] In such a situation, the technology described in Patent Document 1 above requires vehicles to be transferred between areas depending on the supply and demand situation of vehicles within each area, and therefore requires energy from vehicles to move between different areas.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle dispatch management device and a vehicle dispatch management method that enable flexibility between vehicles provided in different transportation modes depending on the supply and demand situation of vehicles within the service area.

[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 the dispatch of vehicles related to a first transportation mode in response to a user's dispatch request. The vehicle dispatch management device includes: a coordination unit that performs processing related to coordination of vehicle dispatch management with at least one external device that manages the dispatch of vehicles related to a second transportation mode; a demand quantity calculation unit that calculates a demand quantity for vehicles related to the first transportation mode based on the dispatch request for a predetermined time period; a vehicle selection unit that selects a vehicle to be dispatched to the user from among multiple vehicle candidates based on the user's dispatch request; a vehicle dispatch plan creation unit that creates a vehicle dispatch plan for the selected vehicle based on the dispatch request; and a driving instruction unit that issues driving instructions to the vehicle in accordance with the vehicle dispatch plan. The coordination unit determines a support vehicle that can be provided to the external device based on the calculated demand quantity and notifies the external device of support provision information including vehicle information for the determined support vehicle. The vehicle selection unit also excludes the support vehicle from the multiple vehicle candidates for the predetermined time period.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is a vehicle dispatch management system that manages vehicle dispatch in response to a user's vehicle dispatch request. The vehicle dispatch management system includes a first vehicle dispatch management device that manages the dispatch of vehicles related to a first transportation mode, and at least one second vehicle dispatch management device that manages the dispatch of vehicles related to a second transportation mode. Each of the first vehicle dispatch management device and the second vehicle dispatch management device includes a coordination unit that performs processing related to coordination of vehicle dispatch management with the other vehicle dispatch management device, a demand quantity calculation unit that calculates the demand quantity of the vehicle based on the dispatch request in a predetermined time period, a vehicle selection unit that selects one vehicle to be dispatched to the user from a plurality of candidate vehicles based on the user's vehicle dispatch request, a vehicle dispatch plan creation unit that creates a vehicle dispatch plan for the selected vehicle based on the vehicle dispatch request, and a operation instruction unit that issues operation instructions to the one vehicle in accordance with the vehicle dispatch plan. The vehicle selection unit of the first vehicle dispatch control device selects support vehicles that can be provided to the second vehicle dispatch control device based on the calculated demand, and notifies the second vehicle dispatch control device of support provision information including vehicle information of the selected support vehicles. Also, the vehicle selection unit of the first vehicle dispatch control device excludes the support vehicles from the plurality of candidate vehicles during the predetermined time period.

[0011] 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.

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to accommodate vehicles provided for different transportation modes depending on the supply and demand situation of vehicles within a service area. In particular, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the energy consumption of vehicles for moving between different areas.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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 details of a vehicle dispatch planning unit in a first vehicle dispatch management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating details of a vehicle dispatch planning unit in a second vehicle dispatch management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a collaboration process related to a support request in a first vehicle dispatch management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a collaboration process related to a support request in a second vehicle dispatch management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process related to a vehicle dispatch request in a second vehicle dispatch management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a vehicle selection process in a vehicle dispatch management device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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. As shown in the figure, the vehicle dispatch management system 1 includes a first vehicle dispatch management device 10, at least one second vehicle dispatch management device 20, an information communication terminal device 30, and a vehicle V, which are communicatively connected to each other via a communication network N. In the figure, only one representative second vehicle dispatch management device 20 is shown. The vehicle dispatch management system 1 can also be connected via the communication network N to a road traffic information management system 40 that provides various traffic information in real time. The first vehicle dispatch management device 10 and the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 are typically operated and managed by different operators, but this is not limited to this.

[0017] The vehicle dispatch management system 1 provides, for example, a vehicle dispatch service using multiple vehicles V for a certain area. The vehicles V include a vehicle V1 associated with a first transportation mode managed by a first vehicle dispatch management device 10 and a vehicle V2 associated with a second transportation mode managed by at least one second vehicle dispatch management device 20. In the present disclosure, the first transportation mode refers to a transportation mode that does not allow users to share the same vehicle based on their dispatch requests. For example, a taxi transportation mode in Japan corresponds to the first transportation mode. On the other hand, the second transportation mode refers to a transportation mode that allows users to share the same vehicle based on their dispatch requests. For example, a transportation mode such as an on-demand bus corresponds to the second transportation mode. As described below, under certain circumstances, the vehicle V1 may be provided to and managed by the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 as a support vehicle V2'. Note that, hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the vehicle V1 and the vehicle V2, the vehicle may also be referred to as the vehicle V.

[0018] Specifically, vehicle V1 is a vehicle provided for use by a user in a vehicle dispatch service using the first transportation mode of the first vehicle dispatch management device 10. In the present disclosure, vehicle V1 is assumed to be a manned taxi driven by a driver, but is not limited thereto and may also be an autonomous vehicle (unmanned vehicle) operated by an autonomous driving system. In an autonomous driving system, the so-called level of automation does not matter. Vehicle V1 is equipped with a control device that controls vehicle V1 itself and / or its onboard equipment in accordance with driving instructions from the first vehicle dispatch management device 10. The control device CTL includes a processor, memory, etc. (not shown) and realizes various functions by executing a vehicle control program. For example, when vehicle V1 is operated as support vehicle V2′ under the vehicle dispatch service of the second vehicle dispatch management device 20, vehicle V1 (support vehicle V2′) may receive driving instructions directly or indirectly from the second vehicle dispatch management device 20.

[0019] On the other hand, vehicle V2 is a vehicle provided for use by users in a vehicle dispatch service using the second transportation mode of the second vehicle dispatch management device 20. Vehicle V2 is typically, but not limited to, a manned vehicle driven by a driver. Vehicle V2 also includes a control device CTL that controls vehicle V2 itself and / or its onboard equipment in accordance with driving instructions from the second vehicle dispatch management device 20. The control device CTL includes a processor, memory, etc., and realizes various functions by executing a vehicle control program.

[0020] The first vehicle dispatch management device 10 is a computing device that comprehensively manages the vehicle dispatch service using the vehicle V1 according to the first transportation mode in a target area of ​​the vehicle dispatch service (hereinafter referred to as the "service target area"). The service target area may be divided into several sub-areas. The first vehicle dispatch management device 10, for example, implements a vehicle dispatch management server program according to the first transportation mode and executes the vehicle dispatch management server program under the control of a processor, thereby realizing the vehicle dispatch service using the vehicle V1 according to the first transportation mode. In particular, the vehicle dispatch management server program according to the first transportation mode of the present disclosure includes a subprogram or module for executing processing related to cooperation between the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 and the vehicle dispatch management (vehicle dispatch service).

[0021] The first vehicle dispatch control 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 record information database 12e (see FIG. 2). The databases 12 may be configured as part of the first vehicle dispatch control device 10, or all or part of the databases 12 may be configured separately from the first vehicle dispatch control device 10.

[0022] In general, the first vehicle dispatch control device 10 predicts the demand (supply and demand) for vehicles V1 based on dispatch requests during a predetermined time period, and when the supply of vehicles V1 is in excess of the predicted demand, provides a predetermined number of vehicles V1 as support vehicles V2' to at least one or more second vehicle dispatch control devices 20. When such a provision occurs, typically, the business operator that operates and manages the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 can receive a usage fee or the like based on the dispatch performance of the support vehicles V2' (for example, mileage, time provided, etc.) from the business operator that operates and manages the first vehicle dispatch control device 10.

[0023] The second vehicle dispatch management device 20 is a computing device that comprehensively manages the vehicle dispatch service using the vehicle V2 related to the second transportation mode. In the present disclosure, the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 may be referred to as an external device from the perspective of the first vehicle dispatch management device 10. The service area of ​​the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 is shared in whole or in part with the service area of ​​the first vehicle dispatch management device 10. The second vehicle dispatch management device 20 also realizes the vehicle dispatch service using the second transportation mode by executing a vehicle dispatch management server program related to the second transportation mode under the control of a processor. In the present disclosure, the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 cooperates with the first vehicle dispatch management device 10 to provide the support vehicle V2' provided by the first vehicle dispatch management device 10 for use in the vehicle dispatch service under predetermined circumstances.

[0024] For example, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 receives a predetermined number of vehicles V1 as support vehicles V2' during a dispatchable time based on a predetermined time period in accordance with the support provision information notified from the first vehicle dispatch control device 10. Based on the dispatch request, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 selects an optimal vehicle V from among candidate vehicles including the support vehicle V2' and dispatches it to the user. In this case, the vehicle V1 assigned to the support vehicle V2' will have its dispatch service by the first vehicle dispatch control device 10 restricted, and will be provided under the dispatch service by the second vehicle dispatch control device 20.

[0025] The information communication terminal device 30 is, for example, a computing device through which a user wishing to ride makes a vehicle dispatch request by operating a user interface. The information communication terminal device 30 is, for example, a smartphone, a pad computer, a laptop personal computer, a desktop computer, etc., but is not limited to these. The information communication terminal device 30 implements, for example, a vehicle dispatch management client program (a so-called vehicle dispatch app). The information communication terminal device 30 executes the vehicle dispatch app under the control of a processor, thereby enabling the user to use the vehicle dispatch service of the first vehicle dispatch management device 10. For example, the user can make a vehicle dispatch request from a vehicle dispatch request screen (not shown) on the user interface of the information communication terminal device 30 and, in response, accept the vehicle dispatch plan created by the first vehicle dispatch management device 10, thereby reserving a ride in the vehicle V.

[0026] The road traffic information management system 40 is an information and communication system that provides road traffic information in real time. For example, the road traffic information management system 40 collects road traffic data from various monitoring equipment installed on roads and also collects driving data from a control device CTL mounted on the vehicle V, and manages road traffic information that is integrated, processed, and edited from the data. 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 40 appropriately provides the road traffic information to the first vehicle dispatch management device 10, the second vehicle dispatch management device 20, and the vehicle V.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration model of a vehicle dispatch control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the first vehicle dispatch control 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. The first vehicle dispatch control device 10 also includes various databases 12. This functional model is realized by the first vehicle dispatch control device 10 executing a vehicle dispatch control 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 a user's information communication terminal device 30 and a control device CTL in the vehicle V.

[0028] The user information database 12a stores information about users who use the vehicle dispatch 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 status. The user information is registered in the user information database 12a under the control of the first vehicle dispatch management device 10, for example, when the user inputs predetermined information when the vehicle dispatch app is first launched.

[0029] 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), 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 information about the 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.), current vehicle dispatch plan, current location, and current status (service status, remaining battery capacity (travel distance), 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 planner 120 based on a vehicle allocation request. The vehicle allocation plan includes a route from a location where the vehicle V is waiting (a starting location), passing through several points (boarding and disembarking points) along the way where users get on and off, to a destination location (which may not necessarily be the same as the initial location). The vehicle allocation plan also includes expected arrival times at the intermediate locations.

[0032] The vehicle dispatch record information database 12e stores information relating to past vehicle dispatch records for each vehicle V1 (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle dispatch record information"). The vehicle dispatch record information includes, for each vehicle V1, various types of specification information such as the operating date and time (such as the start and end times of operation), the travel route, the arrival and departure times at each point (such as the destination), the travel distance, and the fuel efficiency (electricity cost). The vehicle dispatch record information is used, for example, to calculate the demand for vehicles V1 based on vehicle dispatch requests in a current or future predetermined time period.

[0033] The front-end processing unit 110 performs various processes with the user's information communication terminal device 30. 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 dispatching app on the user's information communication terminal device 30. The front-end processing unit 110 also accepts a vehicle dispatch request from the vehicle dispatching app on the user's information communication terminal device 30, passes it to the vehicle dispatch planning unit 120, and interacts with the information communication terminal device 30 to receive the user's approval or disapproval of the vehicle dispatch plan created by the vehicle dispatch planning unit 120 in response to the request.

[0034] The vehicle allocation planning unit 120 extracts and selects candidate vehicles (candidate vehicles) from among the vehicles V in the target area based on the given vehicle allocation request, and creates a vehicle allocation plan for them. A vehicle allocation plan may be created for each of several different candidate driving routes. 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. Upon receiving the operation instructions, the vehicle V completes the vehicle allocation service and transmits vehicle allocation record information to the first vehicle allocation management device 10, and the vehicle allocation planning unit 120 stores this in the vehicle allocation record information database 12e.

[0035] 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 on to the vehicle allocation planning unit 120, and also transmits driving instructions to the vehicle V in accordance with the vehicle allocation plan by the vehicle allocation planning unit 120. The vehicle communication unit 130 also acquires vehicle allocation record information from the vehicle V that has completed the vehicle allocation service and passes it on to the vehicle allocation planning unit 120.

[0036] The functional configuration model of the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 is shown to be substantially the same as that of the first vehicle dispatch control device 10 in that it manages vehicles V2 in the service area.

[0037] 3 is a block diagram showing details of the vehicle dispatch planning unit in the first 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 request acquisition unit 121, a driving route determination unit 122, a vehicle information acquisition unit 123, a demand calculation unit 124, a collaboration unit 125, a vehicle selection unit 126, a vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 127, an operation instruction unit 128, and a vehicle dispatch record information acquisition unit 129.

[0038] The dispatch request acquisition unit 121 acquires or accepts a dispatch request from a user via the front-end processing unit 110. The time when the dispatch request acquisition unit 121 acquires the dispatch request becomes the start time for counting various limit times (such as a boarding limit time and a disembarking limit time, which are the limit times for getting a user on or off) for creating a dispatch plan and the user's waiting time.

[0039] The travel route determination unit 122 determines an optimal travel route based on the dispatch request. For example, the travel route determination unit 122 determines a travel route from the departure point to the destination based on the boarding point (departure point) and disembarking point (destination) indicated in the dispatch request, by having the route search engine perform a route search while referring to the road map information database 12b.

[0040] 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 in response, acquire vehicle information transmitted from the specific vehicle V. 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.

[0041] The demand calculation unit 124 predicts the demand (required number) of vehicles V1 for vehicle dispatch requests in a current or future predetermined time period for each predetermined area based on the dispatch record information stored in the dispatch record information database 12e. The predetermined time period may be, for example, in units of 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or 1 hour based on the current time or future times 1 hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours later. The predicted demand for each area may be expressed on a relative scale (e.g., 0 to 2). For example, the demand calculation unit 124 predicts the demand for vehicles V for a predetermined time period on the day being predicted based on the demand indicated by the dispatch record information for the same time period on the same day of the week in the past. The demand calculation unit 124 may also predict the demand taking into account predetermined environmental factors such as the holding of an event or weather.

[0042] The collaboration unit 125 performs processing related to collaboration of vehicle dispatch management with at least one second vehicle dispatch management device 20 (external device) that manages the dispatch of vehicle V2 related to the second transportation mode. For example, the collaboration unit 125 creates support provision information based on the calculated demand volume and transmits the support provision information to at least one second vehicle dispatch management device 20. The support provision information includes vehicle information of the support vehicle V2′ and a dispatchable time during which the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 can dispatch vehicle V1 as support vehicle V2′. The dispatchable time may be the same as a predetermined time period for demand forecasting or may include all or part of the time period. In other words, the dispatchable time becomes a dispatch limit time for the first vehicle dispatch management device 10. As a result, during the dispatchable time, the first vehicle dispatch management device 10 restricts the dispatch of the predetermined vehicle V1 provided to the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 as support vehicle V2′, while the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 can dispatch support vehicle V2′.

[0043] More specifically, the collaboration unit 125 calculates the surplus amount based on the demand amount in a predetermined time period and the supplyable amount of vehicles V1. The supplyable amount of vehicles V1 is calculated by excluding vehicles V1 that are not in operation due to, for example, charging, maintenance, etc. Next, the collaboration unit 125 determines vehicles V1 to be provided to the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 as support vehicles V2' based on the calculated surplus amount, and creates support provision information based on the vehicle information. Then, the collaboration unit 125 notifies the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 of the created support provision information. This makes it possible to provide the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 with a number of vehicles V1 corresponding to the surplus amount in a predetermined time period.

[0044] The vehicle selection unit 126 extracts and selects a predetermined vehicle V1 suited to the travel route from among multiple vehicles V1. For example, the vehicle selection unit 126 first refers to the vehicle information database 12c, etc., and extracts vehicles V1 near the boarding location indicated in the dispatch request and the location information indicated in the vehicle information of each vehicle V as vehicle candidates. Next, the vehicle selection unit 126 selects one vehicle V1 from the extracted vehicle candidates in accordance with various conditions. In the present disclosure, the vehicle selection unit 126 excludes the vehicle V1 determined as the support vehicle V2′ from the candidate vehicles and selects one vehicle V1.

[0045] The vehicle allocation plan creation unit 127 creates a vehicle allocation plan for the vehicle V based on the travel route and the vehicle V (i.e., the vehicle V1 or the support vehicle V1′). If the vehicle V is on standby, the vehicle allocation plan creation unit 127 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 127 updates the vehicle allocation plan for the vehicle V stored in the vehicle allocation plan database 12d based on the vehicle allocation reservation request.

[0046] Furthermore, the vehicle allocation plan creation unit 127 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 127 transmits the vehicle allocation plan to the user's information communication terminal device 30 via the front-end processing unit 110 and causes the information communication terminal device 30 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 information communication terminal device 30 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 127 confirms the vehicle allocation plan and notifies the vehicle allocation plan creation unit 127. In response, the vehicle allocation plan creation unit 127 registers the confirmed vehicle allocation plan in the vehicle allocation plan database 12d and notifies the operation instruction unit 128.

[0047] The operation instruction unit 128 issues operation instructions to the corresponding vehicle V in accordance with 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 in accordance with the vehicle allocation plan, for example, on a user interface.

[0048] Furthermore, the operation instruction unit 128 may receive an operation instruction for the support vehicle V2' from the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 and transmit the instruction to the vehicle V1 serving as the support vehicle V2'. This allows the first vehicle dispatch control device 10 to understand that the support vehicle V2' has been operated under the dispatch service of the second vehicle dispatch control device 20. Furthermore, even if the support vehicle V2' cannot communicate directly with the second vehicle dispatch control device 20, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 can issue operation instructions to the support vehicle V2' via the first vehicle dispatch control device 10.

[0049] The vehicle dispatch record information acquisition unit 129 collects and acquires vehicle dispatch record information from vehicles V that have completed vehicle dispatch service based on a vehicle dispatch request. As described above, the vehicle dispatch record information includes various types of specification information, such as the operating date and time (operation start time and end time, etc.), the travel route, the arrival and departure times at each point (e.g., a stop or waypoint), the travel distance, and the fuel efficiency (electricity cost). The vehicle dispatch record information acquisition unit 129 stores the acquired vehicle dispatch record information in the vehicle dispatch record information database 12e. Although not shown, the vehicle dispatch record information may also be acquired from each vehicle V1 via the vehicle information acquisition unit 123.

[0050] 4 is a block diagram showing details of a vehicle dispatch planning unit in a second vehicle dispatch control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the vehicle dispatch planning unit in the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 is substantially the same as that of the vehicle dispatch planning unit 120 in the first vehicle dispatch control device 10 described above, but differs in the functions performed by some of the components. The following will focus on the components of the vehicle dispatch planning unit 220 in the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 that differ from those in the first vehicle dispatch control device 10.

[0051] The collaboration unit 225 performs processing related to collaboration of vehicle dispatch management with the first vehicle dispatch management device 10 that manages the dispatch of the vehicle V1 related to the first transportation mode. For example, the collaboration unit 225 receives support provision information from the first vehicle dispatch management device 10. The support provision information includes a time during which the support vehicle V2' is available for dispatch. As a result, during the available time for dispatch, the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 is able to dispatch the support vehicle V2' based on the support provision information.

[0052] The vehicle selection unit 226 extracts and selects a specific vehicle suited to the travel route from among a plurality of vehicles V. For example, the vehicle selection unit 226 first refers to the vehicle information database 22c, etc., and extracts vehicles V near the boarding location indicated in the dispatch request and based on the location information indicated in the vehicle information, as vehicle candidates. Next, the vehicle selection unit 226 selects one vehicle V from the extracted vehicle candidates in accordance with predetermined conditions.

[0053] For example, the vehicle selection unit 226 may calculate a congestion level for the ride-hailing service, determine whether the calculated congestion level exceeds a predetermined congestion threshold, and, if it determines that the congestion level exceeds the predetermined congestion threshold, select a vehicle V2 that is below the predetermined congestion threshold. The congestion level is the longest waiting time among the waiting times of each user. For example, in a situation where there is a user whose waiting time exceeds 15 minutes (congestion level = 15), the vehicle selection unit 226 preferentially selects a vehicle V2 or V1 (support vehicle V2') whose waiting time is less than 15 minutes. This prevents the user's waiting time from becoming longer than the user's tolerance limit, thereby preventing a deterioration in the quality of the ride-hailing service.

[0054] Furthermore, when the vehicle selection unit 226 determines that the estimated time required for the vehicle V2 according to the second transportation mode among the plurality of vehicle candidates to arrive at the user's boarding location based on the vehicle dispatch request is within a predetermined allowable time, the vehicle selection unit 226 may select the vehicle V2 according to the second transportation mode as the vehicle to be dispatched to the user in preference to the support vehicle V2'. As a result, even if the vehicle candidates include the vehicle V1 according to the first transportation mode that can arrive at the boarding location earlier than the vehicle V2 according to the second transportation mode, the vehicle V2 according to the second transportation mode is preferentially selected, thereby making it possible to keep the overall vehicle dispatch cost of the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 low.

[0055] The vehicle selection unit 226 may also calculate the utilization rates of the vehicle V2 and the support vehicle V2' currently associated with the second transportation mode in the service area. The utilization rate is the number of vehicles currently providing the vehicle dispatch service relative to the number of vehicles available for supply. The vehicle selection unit 226 may select either the vehicle V2 associated with the second transportation mode or the support vehicle V2' based on the calculated utilization rate. For example, the vehicle selection unit 226 may select a vehicle V to be dispatched to a user so that the utilization rate of the vehicle V2 associated with the second transportation mode is higher than the utilization rate of the support vehicle V2'. This minimizes the dispatch of the support vehicle V2', which tends to have a relatively higher dispatch cost than the vehicle V2 associated with the second transportation mode, thereby reducing the overall dispatch cost of the vehicle dispatch management in the first vehicle dispatch management device 10.

[0056] The vehicle selection unit 226 may also calculate the dispatch costs of the vehicle V2 and the support vehicle V2' associated with the second transportation mode during a predetermined time period. For example, the dispatch costs include the travel costs (fuel consumption / electricity costs, etc.) from the current location of the vehicle V to the destination via the user's boarding location. The dispatch cost of the support vehicle V1' may also include the usage costs associated with providing the vehicle. The vehicle selection unit 126 selects the vehicle V with the lower calculated dispatch cost as the first vehicle. This minimizes the dispatch of the support vehicle V2', which tends to have a relatively higher dispatch cost than the vehicle V2 associated with the first transportation mode, and thus reduces the overall dispatch costs of the vehicle dispatch management in the first vehicle dispatch management device 10.

[0057] The vehicle allocation plan creation unit 227 creates a vehicle allocation plan for vehicle V based on the travel route and vehicle V (i.e., vehicle V2 or support vehicle V2'). If vehicle V is on standby, the vehicle allocation plan creation unit 227 creates a new vehicle allocation plan based on the vehicle allocation reservation request, and if vehicle V is in operation, updates the vehicle allocation plan for vehicle V stored in the vehicle allocation plan database 12d based on the vehicle allocation reservation request. In response to the vehicle allocation requests of different users, the vehicle allocation plan creation unit 227 can create a vehicle allocation plan so that the users share vehicles V.

[0058] The operation instruction unit 228 issues operation instructions to the corresponding vehicle V in accordance with the confirmed vehicle allocation plan. The operation instruction unit 228 may also issue operation instructions to the support vehicle V2' without going through the first vehicle allocation management device 10. That is, the support vehicle V2' is operated under the vehicle allocation service of the second vehicle allocation management device 20. Alternatively, the operation instruction unit 228 may issue operation instructions to the support vehicle V2' via the first vehicle allocation management device 10. For example, the operation instruction unit 228 may transmit operation instructions to the support vehicle V2' to the first vehicle allocation management device 10, and in response to this, the first vehicle allocation management device 10 may transmit the operation instructions to the support vehicle V2'. This allows the first vehicle allocation management device 10 to recognize that the vehicle V1 provided as the support vehicle V2' has been operated under the vehicle allocation service of the second vehicle allocation management device 20. Furthermore, even if the support vehicle V2' cannot communicate directly with the first vehicle dispatch management device 10, the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 will be able to give operating instructions to the support vehicle V2' by going through the second vehicle dispatch management device 20.

[0059] The operation instruction unit 228 may also instruct the support vehicle V2' to notify those around it that it is operating in the second transportation mode. In response to this, the support vehicle V2' may, for example, display an indication that it is operating in the second transportation mode on an indicator light that is used to notify those outside (for example, passersby, drivers of other vehicles, etc.). This allows passersby and others in the vicinity to know that the vehicle V1 is operating in the second transportation mode.

[0060] 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a collaborative process related to a support request in the first vehicle dispatch control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. This process is realized by the first vehicle dispatch control device 10 executing a vehicle dispatch control server program related to the first transportation mode under the control of a processor, thereby cooperating with various hardware resources.

[0061] As shown in the figure, the first vehicle dispatch control device 10 calculates the demand for vehicle V1 based on a vehicle dispatch request for a current or future predetermined time period (S501). For example, the first vehicle dispatch control device 10 predicts the demand for vehicle V1 for 30 minutes one hour later, for example, at 0 minutes and 30 minutes past the hour, based on the demand indicated by past dispatch record information for the same time period on the same day of the week.

[0062] Next, the first vehicle dispatch control device 10 compares the demand for a given time period with the number of vehicles V1 available for supply to determine whether or not there is a surplus of vehicles V1 (S502). If the first vehicle dispatch control device 10 determines that there is a surplus of vehicles V1 (Yes in S502), it selects a vehicle V1 to be assigned to a support vehicle V2' from the surplus vehicles V1 (S503). Next, the first vehicle dispatch control device 10 creates support provision information based on the vehicle information related to the support vehicle volume V2' (S504). Next, the first vehicle dispatch control device 10 transmits the created support provision information to the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 (S505). In response to this, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 registers the vehicle information of support vehicle V2' in the vehicle information database 22c based on the support provision information.

[0063] Then, the first vehicle dispatch control device 10 executes the above processing until the end time of the vehicle dispatch service arrives (No in S506).

[0064] 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a collaborative process related to a support request in the second vehicle dispatch control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. This process is realized by the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 executing a vehicle dispatch control server program related to the second transportation mode under the control of a processor, thereby cooperating with various hardware resources.

[0065] As shown in the figure, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20, like the first vehicle dispatch control device 10, calculates the demand for vehicles V2 based on dispatch requests for a current or future predetermined time period (S601). The predetermined time period is preferably synchronized with that of the first vehicle dispatch control device 10. Next, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 calculates the shortage of vehicles V2 based on the demand for the predetermined time period and the number of vehicles V2 that can be supplied (S602). The second vehicle dispatch control device 20 then determines whether or not support provision information has been received from the first vehicle dispatch control device 10 (S603).

[0066] When the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 receives the support provision information from the first vehicle dispatch control device 10 (Yes in S603), the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 registers the vehicle information of the support vehicle V2' indicated in the support provision information in the vehicle information database 12c (S604).

[0067] Then, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 executes the above process until the end time of the vehicle dispatch service arrives (No in S605).

[0068] 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for a vehicle dispatch request in the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 is assumed to have received support provision information from the first vehicle dispatch control device 10 prior to the process for the vehicle dispatch request.

[0069] As shown in the figure, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 waits until a new vehicle dispatch request is received from a user (S701). Meanwhile, for example, a user wishing to ride a vehicle operates a vehicle dispatch app on the user interface of the information communication terminal device 30 to input a vehicle dispatch request. The vehicle dispatch request includes user location information. When a vehicle dispatch request is received from the user (Yes in S701), the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 refers to the road map information database 12b based on the vehicle dispatch request and determines the user's departure and destination bus stops (boarding and disembarking locations) (S702).

[0070] Next, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 determines a travel route based on the determined bus stops by referring to the road map information database 22b (S703). The travel route may include several candidates that have the same boarding and disembarking locations but different roads (links) along the way.

[0071] Next, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 extracts one or more vehicles V as vehicle candidate candidates according to the travel route, and selects one vehicle V from among them (S704). The vehicle candidate candidates may include the support vehicle V2' according to the support provision information. Details of this vehicle selection process will be described later.

[0072] Next, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 creates or updates a vehicle dispatch plan for the selected vehicle V based on the determined driving route (S705). Next, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 proposes the content of the created or updated vehicle dispatch plan to the user (S706). That is, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 transmits the content of the created or updated vehicle dispatch plan to the information communication terminal device 30, and in response, the information communication terminal device 30 displays the content on the user interface and prompts the user to accept or reject the proposed vehicle dispatch plan.

[0073] The second vehicle dispatch management device 20 determines whether the proposed vehicle dispatch plan has been accepted by the user (S707). If the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 accepts the proposed vehicle dispatch plan from the user (Yes in S707), the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 confirms the current vehicle dispatch plan (S708). The second vehicle dispatch management device 20 stores the confirmed vehicle dispatch plan in the vehicle dispatch plan database 22d. Next, the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 transmits a notification of confirmation of the vehicle dispatch reservation to the information communication terminal device 30 and transmits a dispatch instruction based on the vehicle dispatch plan to the vehicle V (S709). In this case, if the selected vehicle V is the support vehicle V2', the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 may issue a driving instruction to the support vehicle V2' without going through the first vehicle dispatch management device 10. Alternatively, the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 may issue a driving instruction to the support vehicle V2' via the first vehicle dispatch management device 10.

[0074] On the other hand, if the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 receives a non-acceptance (rejection) from the user in response to the proposed vehicle dispatch plan (No in S707), it cancels the current vehicle dispatch plan based on the user's vehicle dispatch request (S710). In this case, the first vehicle dispatch control device 10 returns the temporarily held vehicle dispatch plan used to recreate the vehicle dispatch plan to the original held vehicle dispatch plan. If the user desires a different vehicle dispatch service, the user will make a new vehicle dispatch request.

[0075] 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a vehicle selection process in the vehicle allocation control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart shows details of the vehicle selection process (S704) by the second vehicle allocation control device 20 shown in FIG.

[0076] As shown in the figure, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 refers to the vehicle information database 22c based on the dispatch request and extracts candidate vehicles V (S801). For example, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 extracts vehicles V that are in the vicinity of the boarding location indicated in the dispatch request based on the vehicle position information of the vehicles V. In this case, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 excludes vehicles V whose continuous operating time would exceed a specified time if operated based on the dispatch request and vehicles V with a low state of charge (SOC).

[0077] Next, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 refers to the vehicle dispatch plan database 22d and calculates the current congestion level (S802). For example, the congestion level is the longest waiting time among the waiting times of each user. Next, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 determines whether the calculated congestion level exceeds a predetermined congestion threshold (S803). The predetermined congestion threshold is, for example, 15 minutes.

[0078] When the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 determines that the calculated congestion degree exceeds a predetermined threshold (Yes in S803), the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 selects a vehicle V that is below the predetermined congestion threshold. For example, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 selects a vehicle V with the lowest congestion degree (shortest waiting time). In other words, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 prioritizes consideration of the user's waiting time over the vehicle dispatch cost.

[0079] On the other hand, if the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 determines that the calculated congestion degree does not exceed the predetermined threshold value (No in S803), the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 attempts to extract a vehicle V2 whose expected arrival time at the boarding location of the candidate vehicle is within a predetermined allowable time (S805). Subsequently, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 determines whether or not there is an extracted vehicle V2 (S806).

[0080] If the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 determines that an extracted vehicle V2 exists (Yes in S806), the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 selects the extracted vehicle V2 as the vehicle V to be dispatched to the user (S811).

[0081] On the other hand, if the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 determines that the extracted vehicle V2 is not present (No in S806), the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 calculates the current utilization rates of the vehicle V2 and the support vehicle V2' in the service area (S807). Subsequently, the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 compares the utilization rates of the vehicle V2 and the support vehicle V2' to determine whether the utilization rate of the vehicle V2 is lower than the utilization rate of the support vehicle V2' (S808).

[0082] If the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 determines that the utilization rate of vehicle V2 is lower than that of support vehicle V2' (Yes in S708), it selects the optimal vehicle V2 from among the candidate vehicles (S711). For example, it selects vehicle V2 that is closest to the user's boarding location. On the other hand, if the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 determines that the utilization rate of vehicle V1 is not lower than that of support vehicle V1' (No in S808), it then calculates the dispatch costs of vehicle V2 and support vehicle V2' (S809). Next, the second vehicle dispatch management device 20 compares the dispatch costs of vehicle V2 and support vehicle V2' to determine whether the dispatch cost of vehicle V2 is lower than that of support vehicle V2' (S810).

[0083] If the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 determines that the dispatch cost of vehicle V2 is lower than the dispatch cost of support vehicle V2' (Yes in S810), it selects the optimal vehicle V2 from among the candidate vehicles (S811). On the other hand, if the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 determines that the dispatch cost of vehicle V2 is not lower than the dispatch cost of support vehicle V2' (No in S810), it selects the optimal support vehicle V2' from among the candidate vehicles.

[0084] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to accommodate vehicles provided by different transportation modes in a common service area in whole or in part, depending on the supply and demand situation of vehicles V1 based on a vehicle dispatch request. In particular, according to the present invention, when the demand for vehicles V of the first vehicle dispatch control device 10 that provides a vehicle dispatch service using vehicles V1 relating to a first transportation mode is low during a predetermined time period, surplus vehicles V1 can be provided as support vehicles V2' to the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 that provides a vehicle dispatch service using vehicles V2 relating to a second transportation mode, and the second vehicle dispatch control device 20 can then provide a vehicle dispatch service using the support vehicles V2'.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Vehicle dispatch management system 10... First vehicle dispatch management device, 20... Second vehicle dispatch management device 110... Front-end processing unit 120, 220... Vehicle dispatch planning unit 121, 221... Vehicle dispatch request acquisition unit 122, 222... Travel route determination unit 123, 223... Vehicle information acquisition unit 124, 224... Demand calculation unit 125, 225... Linkage unit 126, 226... Vehicle selection unit 127, 227... Vehicle dispatch plan creation unit 128, 228... Operation instruction unit 129, 229... Vehicle dispatch record information acquisition unit 130... Vehicle communication unit 12... Database 12a, 22a... User information database 12b, 22b... Road map information database 12c, 22c... Vehicle information database 12d, 22d... Vehicle dispatch plan database 12e, 22e... Vehicle dispatch record information database 30... Information communication terminal device 40... Road traffic information management system N... Communication network V... Vehicle, V1... Vehicle relating to the first transportation mode, V2... Vehicle relating to the second transportation mode CTL... Control device

Claims

1. A vehicle dispatch management device that manages the dispatch of vehicles related to a first transportation mode in response to a user's vehicle dispatch request, comprising: a coordination unit that performs processing related to coordination of vehicle dispatch management with at least one or more external devices that manage the dispatch of vehicles related to a second transportation mode; a demand quantity calculation unit that calculates the demand quantity of vehicles related to the first transportation mode based on the dispatch request in a specified time period; a vehicle selection unit that selects one vehicle to be dispatched to the user from a plurality of vehicle candidate candidates based on the user's vehicle dispatch request; a vehicle dispatch plan creation unit that creates a vehicle dispatch plan for the selected vehicle based on the vehicle dispatch request; and an operation instruction unit that gives operation instructions to the one vehicle in accordance with the vehicle dispatch plan, wherein the coordination unit determines a support vehicle that can be provided to the external device based on the calculated demand quantity, and notifies the external device of support provision information including vehicle information of the determined support vehicle, and the vehicle selection unit excludes the support vehicle from the plurality of vehicle candidate candidates for the specified time period.

2. The vehicle dispatch management device according to claim 1, wherein the linking unit notifies the external device of the predetermined time period as a dispatchable time during which the support vehicle can be dispatched.

3. The vehicle dispatch management device described in claim 2, wherein the collaboration unit calculates a surplus amount based on the demand amount during the specified time period and the supply capacity of vehicles related to the first transportation mode, and creates the support provision information based on the surplus amount.

4. The vehicle dispatch management device according to claim 1, wherein the operation instruction unit receives an operation instruction for the support vehicle from the external device and issues the operation instruction to the support vehicle.

5. A vehicle dispatch management device as described in claim 1, wherein the vehicle relating to the first transportation mode is a non-shareable vehicle that does not allow users to share rides based on different vehicle dispatch requests, and the vehicle relating to the second transportation mode is a shareable vehicle that allows users to share rides based on different vehicle dispatch requests.

6. A vehicle dispatch management system that manages vehicle dispatch in response to a user's dispatch request, comprising: a first vehicle dispatch management device that manages the dispatch of vehicles related to a first transportation mode; and at least one or more second vehicle dispatch management devices that manage the dispatch of vehicles related to a second transportation mode, wherein each of the first vehicle dispatch management device and the second vehicle dispatch management device comprises: a coordination unit that performs processing related to coordination of vehicle dispatch management with the other vehicle dispatch management device; a demand quantity calculation unit that calculates the demand quantity of the vehicle based on the dispatch request in a predetermined time period; a vehicle selection unit that selects one vehicle to be dispatched to the user from a plurality of vehicle candidates based on the user's dispatch request; a vehicle dispatch plan creation unit that creates a vehicle dispatch plan for the selected vehicle based on the dispatch request; and an operation instruction unit that issues operation instructions to the one vehicle in accordance with the vehicle dispatch plan, wherein the coordination unit of the first vehicle dispatch management device extracts support vehicles that can be provided to the second vehicle dispatch management device based on the calculated demand quantity, and notifies the second vehicle dispatch management device of support provision information including vehicle information of the extracted support vehicles, the vehicle selection unit of the first vehicle dispatch control device excludes the support vehicle from the plurality of vehicle candidates during the predetermined time period.

7. The vehicle selection unit of the second vehicle dispatch management device selects a vehicle that is below a predetermined congestion threshold from among the plurality of vehicle candidates when the congestion level based on the waiting time of each user exceeds a predetermined congestion threshold based on the assistance provision information. The vehicle dispatch management system described in claim 6.

8. The vehicle selection unit of the second vehicle dispatch management device selects, based on the support provision information, a vehicle relating to the second transportation mode among the plurality of vehicle candidates as the vehicle to be dispatched to the user in priority to the support vehicle if the estimated time required for the vehicle relating to the second transportation mode to arrive at the user's boarding location based on the dispatch request is within a predetermined allowable time. A vehicle dispatch management system as described in claim 6.

9. The vehicle selection unit of the second vehicle dispatch management device calculates the utilization rates of the vehicle related to the second transportation mode and the support vehicle based on the support provision information, and selects a vehicle to be dispatched to the user so that the utilization rate of the vehicle related to the second transportation mode is higher than the utilization rate of the support vehicle. A vehicle dispatch management system as described in claim 6.

10. The vehicle selection unit of the second vehicle dispatch management device calculates the dispatch costs of the vehicle related to the second transportation mode and the support vehicle during the specified time period based on the support provision information, and selects the vehicle with the lower calculated dispatch cost as the one vehicle. A vehicle dispatch management system as described in claim 6.

11. The vehicle dispatch management system described in claim 6, wherein the operation instruction unit of the second vehicle dispatch management device instructs the support vehicle selected as the one vehicle to notify those around it that it is operating using the second transportation mode.

12. A vehicle dispatch management method by a vehicle dispatch management device that manages the dispatch of vehicles related to a first transportation mode in response to a user's vehicle dispatch request, comprising: performing processing related to coordination of vehicle dispatch management with at least one or more external devices that manage the dispatch of vehicles related to a second transportation mode; calculating the demand for vehicles related to the first transportation mode based on the vehicle dispatch request in a specified time period; selecting one vehicle to be dispatched to the user from a plurality of vehicle candidate candidates based on the user's vehicle dispatch request; creating a vehicle dispatch plan for the selected vehicle based on the vehicle dispatch request; and issuing operating instructions to the one vehicle in accordance with the vehicle dispatch plan; wherein the coordination includes determining a support vehicle that can be provided to the external device based on the calculated demand and notifying the external device of support provision information including vehicle information of the determined support vehicle; and wherein selecting the vehicle includes excluding the support vehicle from the plurality of vehicle candidate candidates for the specified time period.

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