Information system and program

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an information system that supports operational management of transportation facilities or roads using weather forecasting technology based on weather radar observation data. [Solution] An information system according to an embodiment stores management points within an operational management area and position information thereof, and acquires current precipitation amounts corresponding to the position information of the management points (current precipitation amounts corresponding to the current time, obtained by analyzing weather radar observation data). An operational management support screen is generated, including: an operation status area displaying an operational management chart on which the plurality of management points are plotted within the operational management area, or an operational management map in which the plurality of management points are plotted on a map including the operation management area on the basis of the position information; and a precipitation data area displaying a list of the current precipitation amounts for each management point. The information system performs display control of the operational management support screen for a predetermined display device, and performs support display control for each management point in the operation status area and the precipitation data area on the basis of the current precipitation amounts.

Description

Information System and Program

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information providing technology using a weather prediction technology based on observation data of a weather radar.

[0002] A weather radar emits radio waves (microwaves) and observes rain and snow existing within a predetermined range. The distance to rain and snow can be measured from the time until the emitted radio waves return, and the intensity of rain and snow can be observed from the intensity of the returned radio waves.

[0003] A dual-polarization Doppler weather radar uses radio waves vibrating in the horizontal direction (horizontal polarization) and radio waves vibrating in the vertical direction (vertical polarization), making it possible to more accurately estimate the type of precipitation particles in clouds and the intensity of precipitation.

[0004] Analyzing the observation data of a dual-polarization Doppler weather radar to grasp the current precipitation is called a radar rain gauge, and it provides analysis results that are comparable to those of a ground rain gauge (a physically installed rain gauge) for the current precipitation.

[0005] The Japan Meteorological Agency provides services such as high-resolution precipitation nowcasting and short-term precipitation forecasting using weather radars. For example, it conducts precipitation predictions (including prediction of the movement of precipitation areas) at predetermined time intervals such as the current precipitation (now), 10 minutes later, and 20 minutes later.

[0006] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-186940, Patent No. 7360109

[0007] An object is to provide an information system that supports the operation management of transportation agencies or roads using a weather prediction technology based on observation data of a weather radar.

[0008] The information system of the embodiment supports the operation management of transportation or roads. The information system includes: a first storage unit that stores a plurality of management points within an operation management area and location information of the management points; a precipitation information acquisition unit that obtains precipitation information, including current precipitation corresponding to the current time, obtained by analyzing weather radar observation data, and acquires the current precipitation corresponding to the location information of the management points from the precipitation information; an operation status area that displays an operation management diagram in which a plurality of management points are plotted within the operation management area or an operation management map in which a plurality of management points are plotted on a map including the operation management area based on the location information; a precipitation data area that displays a list of the current precipitation for each management point; and a display control unit that controls the display of the operation management support screen on a predetermined display device and controls the display of support for each management point in the operation status area and the precipitation data area based on the current precipitation.

[0009] This figure shows the functional blocks and network configuration of the information system of the first embodiment. This figure shows an example of management points and location information of the first embodiment. This figure shows an example of the operation management support screen of the first embodiment. This is an enlarged view of the operation status area in the operation management support screen of Figure 3. This figure shows another example of the operation management support screen of the first embodiment. This is an enlarged view of the operation status area in the operation management support screen of Figure 5. This figure shows an example of threshold information of the first embodiment. This figure shows the processing flow of the information system of the first embodiment. This figure shows the functional blocks and network configuration of the weather management system including the information system of the first embodiment.

[0010] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Ground-based rain gauges, being physically installed, require considerable effort to operate and maintain. Furthermore, they have problems with inaccurate measurements if water exceeding their capacity flows in or if foreign objects such as debris enter. For example, meteorological instruments such as rain gauges are required by the Meteorological Service Act to be "certified by the Japan Meteorological Agency," and the certification is valid for five years. Therefore, ground-based rain gauges must be replaced within this validity period. Additionally, because they cannot measure rainfall if foreign objects such as debris enter, they require regular cleaning.

[0012] Furthermore, ground-based rain gauges cannot measure rainfall at locations other than where they are installed. For example, they cannot measure rainfall between multiple rain gauges installed in different locations, limiting the measurement points to the installation location of the rain gauge. However, increasing the number of installation locations increases the operational and maintenance burden, as mentioned above, thus limiting the ability to understand precipitation conditions using ground-based rain gauges (installation of ground-based rain gauges).

[0013] In particular, in the operation management of transportation or roads, multiple ground-based rain gauges are installed within the operation management area, and safety management of transportation or roads is carried out by making decisions to exercise caution, slow down, or stop based on the precipitation conditions measured by each ground-based rain gauge. However, as mentioned above, in addition to the burden of operation and maintenance, there has been a challenge in appropriately determining the extent to which safety management measures such as caution, slow down, and stop should be implemented because precipitation conditions cannot be grasped in areas where ground-based rain gauges are not installed.

[0014] For example, in railway operation management, ground-level rain gauges can be installed at stations. However, if ground-level rain gauges are not installed at all stations or between stations, it is difficult to determine the extent of the impact of rainfall. Therefore, operation managers try to ensure greater safety by setting a wide range for the area where train operations will be suspended. In particular, ground-level rain gauges cannot pinpoint areas of localized heavy rain or torrential downpours. Therefore, to ensure greater safety, the area where train operations will be suspended will be set wide. This is also true for road traffic networks such as expressways and general roads, where there are limitations to the installation of ground-level rain gauges, making it difficult to pinpoint areas where safety must be ensured, and thus road closures will be set wide.

[0015] Therefore, the information system according to this embodiment utilizes technology to understand precipitation conditions by analyzing observation data from weather radars such as the dual-polarization Doppler weather radar described above, and provides a mechanism to support the operation management of transportation or roads.

[0016] (First Embodiment) Figures 1 to 9 are diagrams illustrating the first embodiment. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the functional blocks and network configuration of the information system 100 of this embodiment.

[0017] The information system 100 provides a function to support the operation management of transportation or roads, using analysis results based on weather observation data observed by weather radar, which are provided from the weather management system 500.

[0018] <Analysis of weather observation data and analysis results> Weather radar, for example, emits radio waves (microwaves) to observe rain and snow. The distance to the rain or snow is measured from the time it takes for the emitted radio waves to return, and the intensity of the rain or snow is observed from the strength of the returned radio waves. In addition, as mentioned above, dual-polarization Doppler weather radar has been introduced, and by using radio waves that oscillate in the horizontal and vertical directions (horizontal polarization, vertical polarization), it is possible to distinguish the type of precipitation particles in the clouds and estimate the intensity of precipitation (state of precipitation) falling from the clouds to the ground.

[0019] Dual-polarization Doppler weather radar can estimate the shape of precipitation particles by the ratio of their amplitudes. The larger the precipitation particle, the more it experiences air resistance and becomes flatter. This is observed using horizontal and vertical polarization, and the shape of the precipitation particle is estimated from the amplitude ratio of the reflected waves. Furthermore, the intensity of the rain can be estimated from the phase difference. Radio waves have the property that their speed slows down slightly when traveling through water such as raindrops compared to when traveling through empty air. By utilizing the property that the speed of horizontally polarized waves slows down with heavier rain, observations are made using horizontal and vertical polarization, and the intensity of the reflected waves and the phase difference are used to estimate the precipitation intensity (mm / h).

[0020] Furthermore, the estimation methods used to estimate the shape of precipitation particles and the intensity of precipitation are not limited to the amplitude of reflected waves; they may also be known methods using other information obtained from meteorological observation data. For example, the shape of precipitation particles and the intensity of precipitation can be estimated based on the cross-correlation coefficient between horizontal and vertical polarization or the intensity ratio between horizontal and vertical polarization. Alternatively, estimation methods combining the amplitude of reflected waves with the cross-correlation coefficient between horizontal and vertical polarization or the intensity ratio between horizontal and vertical polarization may be applied.

[0021] In precipitation particle estimation that combines information such as amplitude ratios, categories (classifications) such as wet snow, dry snow, ice crystals, drizzle, rain, hail, sleet, and heavy rain are pre-defined. For example, if the combination of amplitude ratios exceeds a predetermined value, the precipitation particle is determined to be hail (categorized). The amplitude ratio of each precipitation particle is set as a classification criterion, and meteorological phenomena in the observation area are estimated based on meteorological observation data. Note that hail is defined as ice particles with a diameter of 5 mm or more that fall from cumulonimbus clouds, while ice particles with a diameter of less than 5 mm are defined as sleet.

[0022] The weather management system 500 can perform analysis processing, including precipitation particle estimation processing and precipitation state determination processing, using weather observation data.

[0023] The weather management system 500 comprises a control device 510, a storage unit 520, and a communication device 530. The control device 510 includes an analysis unit 511 and an information provision unit 512. The analysis unit 511 classifies weather observation data based on classification criteria and outputs analysis results based on said classification criteria. As described above, precipitation particle estimation processing can be performed using amplitude ratios, and categories (classifications) such as wet snow, dry snow, ice crystals, drizzle, rain, sleet, hail, and heavy rain are provided in advance. A predetermined amplitude ratio is set as a classification criterion for each type of precipitation particle, and the analysis unit 511 estimates weather phenomena in the observation area from weather observation data based on the classification criteria.

[0024] Furthermore, the analysis unit 511 can perform precipitation state determination processing. As described above, precipitation intensity is an index for estimating the amount (intensity) of precipitation based on the strength of reflected waves; a high precipitation intensity indicates a lot of precipitation, and a low precipitation intensity indicates a little precipitation. For example, a multi-parameter phased-array weather radar can observe precipitation states in three dimensions. Vertically integrated liquid water content (VIL) can be obtained from the observation values ​​of the multi-parameter phased-array weather radar. VIL is the amount of water in the upper atmosphere at a certain point, obtained by integrating the amount of precipitation in the vertical direction (VIL calculation process). Note that solids such as hail, sleet, and snow can be converted to liquid water content and integrated.

[0025] The analysis unit 511 can grasp the precipitation area in the upper atmosphere above the observation area and output the type and distribution of precipitation particles in the upper atmosphere within the precipitation area, as well as the precipitation intensity and VIL within the precipitation area, as analysis results. These analysis results (type of precipitation particles, precipitation intensity, VIL) are associated with each of the multiple grids that are divided into a grid. For example, it can generate and output precipitation distribution information (precipitation distribution data) such as image data plotted on a map based on the location information of the observation area, or generate and output precipitation distribution information of precipitation particle type, precipitation intensity, and VIL associated with the position corresponding to each grid. The weather management system 500 receives continuous weather observation data in a time series from the weather radar, and the analysis unit 511 outputs continuous analysis results in a time series at predetermined time intervals (arbitrary second or minute units).

[0026] Furthermore, precipitation intensity can also be used as an indicator to determine whether or not precipitation particles in the upper atmosphere, as identified through precipitation particle estimation processing, actually fall to the ground. In other words, if the precipitation intensity is low, it can be determined that even if precipitation particles are present in the upper atmosphere, they will not fall to the ground.

[0027] The analysis unit 511 of this embodiment performs analysis processing, including precipitation particle estimation processing and precipitation state determination processing, based on predetermined criteria, and outputs precipitation particles falling on the Earth's surface. The predetermined criteria include the aforementioned classification criteria used in the precipitation particle estimation processing and the precipitation state determination criteria used in the precipitation state determination processing. The classification criteria and the precipitation state determination criteria are stored in the storage unit 520.

[0028] The precipitation state discrimination criteria may include a first precipitation state discrimination criterion that classifies the intensity (abundance) of precipitation particles falling to the ground surface, and a second precipitation state discrimination criterion that determines whether or not precipitation particles in the upper atmosphere will fall to the ground surface. The analysis unit 511 determines that if the precipitation intensity is greater than the second precipitation state discrimination criterion (threshold), the precipitation particles identified in the precipitation particle estimation process will fall to the ground surface. On the other hand, if the precipitation intensity is less than the second precipitation state discrimination criterion (threshold), it can determine that the precipitation particles identified in the precipitation particle estimation process will not fall to the ground surface.

[0029] The analysis process of this embodiment classifies meteorological observation data based on classification criteria, identifies the type of precipitation particles in the clouds in the upper atmosphere, and determines whether the identified precipitation particles will fall to the ground by comparing the precipitation intensity with a second precipitation state determination criterion. If it is determined that the particles will fall to the ground, the analysis unit 511 outputs the identified precipitation particles in the clouds in the upper atmosphere as precipitation particles that will fall to the ground. At this time, the intensity (amount) of the precipitation particles falling to the ground can also be output using the first precipitation state determination criterion. Meteorological observation data and the analysis results associated with said meteorological observation data can be stored in chronological order in the storage unit 520.

[0030] The weather management system 500 can grasp the current precipitation conditions (current precipitation amount) at predetermined time intervals through the analysis process described above. This analysis is performed continuously in a time series, and the analysis results for each time interval corresponding to the predetermined time interval are stored in the storage unit 520 along with the weather observation data.

[0031] The weather management system 500 can provide the information system 100 with analysis results for each observation time, and can also process and provide the analysis results based on pre-set monitoring conditions. For example, it can generate and provide precipitation information such as "10-minute rainfall," "hourly rainfall," and "cumulative rainfall."

[0032] "10-minute rainfall" is the amount of rain that fell in the 10 minutes from 10 minutes ago to the present (mm / 10min), "hourly rainfall" is the amount of rain that fell in the 1 hour from 60 minutes ago to the present (mm / h), and "cumulative rainfall" is the cumulative amount of rain that has fallen from the start of the rain until the present. After 24 hours have passed since the rain stopped, the cumulative value is reset to 0.

[0033] Furthermore, the weather management system 500 can also perform precipitation forecasting processing from the present to the future. The analysis unit 511 makes precipitation forecasts in time units such as a few minutes or a few tens of minutes in advance, based on the current precipitation conditions. For example, the Japan Meteorological Agency's high-resolution precipitation nowcast uses a predetermined forecasting algorithm (forecasting model) to forecast (move forecast) future precipitation areas such as 10 minutes or 20 minutes in advance, and calculates the predicted precipitation amount in the precipitation area (https: / / www.jma.go.jp / jma / kishou / books / yohkens / 20 / chapter4.pdf Japan Meteorological Agency website).

[0034] The weather management system 500 of this embodiment can also perform known precipitation forecasting processing, such as high-resolution precipitation nowcasting, based on the current precipitation conditions described above, and can generate and provide forecast values ​​for "10-minute rainfall (10-minute forecast)", "hourly rainfall (10-minute forecast)", and "continuous rainfall (10-minute forecast)" 10 minutes from the current time, as well as "10-minute rainfall (20-minute forecast)", "hourly rainfall (20-minute forecast)", and "continuous rainfall (20-minute forecast)" 20 minutes from the current time.

[0035] For example, "10-minute rainfall (10-minute forecast)" is the amount of rain (mm / 10min) that will fall in the 10 minutes from now, "hourly rainfall (10-minute forecast)" is the amount of rain (mm / h) that fell in the 50 minutes from 50 minutes ago to the present, plus "10-minute rainfall (10-minute forecast)", and "continuous rainfall (10-minute forecast)" is the cumulative amount of rain that has fallen from the start of the rain to the present, plus "10-minute rainfall (10-minute forecast)". After 24 hours have passed since the rain stopped, the cumulative value is reset to 0.

[0036] Similarly, "10-minute rainfall (20-minute forecast)" is the amount of rain (mm / 10min) that will fall in the 10 minutes from 10 minutes to 20 minutes from now; "hourly rainfall (20-minute forecast)" is the amount of rain (mm / h) that fell in the 40 minutes from 40 minutes ago to the present + "10-minute rainfall (10-minute forecast)" + "10-minute rainfall (20-minute forecast)"; and "continuous rainfall (20-minute forecast)" is the cumulative amount of rain that has fallen from the start of the rain to the present + "10-minute rainfall (10-minute forecast)" + "10-minute rainfall (20-minute forecast)". After 24 hours have passed since the rain stopped, the cumulative value is reset to 0.

[0037] The weather management system 500 processes predictions for 10 minutes and 20 minutes ahead in the observation area as it continuously grasps the current precipitation conditions in a time series, and each predicted value is stored in the storage unit 520. The information provision unit 512 provides (transmits) precipitation information, including the current precipitation amount corresponding to the current time and the predicted precipitation amount after a predetermined time has elapsed from the current time, obtained by analyzing weather observation data, to the information system 100 in a time series.

[0038] While the analysis results output by the weather management system 500 were explained using 10-minute rainfall, hourly rainfall, and continuous rainfall as examples, these are not the only options, and any appropriate format of current and predicted rainfall information suitable for operational management can be adopted as needed.

[0039] <Configuration of the Information System> The information system 100 is a computer system that supports the operation management of transportation or roads, and as shown in Figure 1, it is configured to include a communication device 110, a control device 120, and a storage device 130. The communication device 110 is a data communication interface and performs data communication with the weather management system 500 and with the user terminal 300 via an IP (Internet Protocol) network or a dedicated line.

[0040] The information system 100 obtains current and predicted precipitation amounts corresponding to the operation management area from the weather management system 500. The information system 100 performs support functions based on the current and predicted precipitation amounts received from the weather management system 500 and provides operation management support information to the user terminal 300.

[0041] Note that the user terminal 300 is a desktop computer, a portable tablet computer, or a notebook computer, and has a data communication function (wireless communication / wired communication), a computing function (CPU, etc.), and a storage device (memory, auxiliary storage device, etc.) through an IP network or a mobile communication network. In addition, the user terminal 300 includes a display control application such as a browser and can perform display control of the screen provided by the information system 100. In addition, a display device (or a display device with a touch panel method) and input means such as a keyboard are appropriately provided.

[0042] The control device 120 includes a data management unit 121, a precipitation information acquisition unit 122, an operation management unit 123, and a display control unit 124. Hereinafter, railway operation management will be described as an example.

[0043] The data management unit 121 receives the input of a plurality of management points included in the operation management area and the position information of the management points, and stores them in the storage device (corresponding to the first storage unit) 130. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a management point and position information. In the case of railway operation management, the management point is a station, and the position information of the management point includes the latitude and longitude of the station. The operation management area is a range arbitrarily set by the railway operator, for example, an area included in an arbitrarily divided route map.

[0044] The precipitation information acquisition unit 122 acquires precipitation information corresponding to the position information of the management point from the meteorological management system 500. As described above, the meteorological management system 500 holds the current precipitation information (precipitation type, precipitation intensity, etc.) in the observation area as an analysis result of meteorological observation data. In addition, predicted precipitation information at a future time based on the current precipitation information is also held. The precipitation information acquisition unit 122 can acquire the current precipitation amount and predicted precipitation amount corresponding to the position information from the meteorological management system 500 based on the position information of each management point input (registered) through the data management unit 121.

[0045] Note that the management points can be set at any arbitrary locations such as between stations in addition to stations. For example, depending on the status of the track, the terrain around the station, and the soil conditions, any arbitrary location can be set as a management point from the viewpoints of disaster prevention and safety management in operation management.

[0046] The operation management unit 123 generates an operation management support screen to be displayed on the display device of the user terminal 300. The operation management unit 123 can generate an operation management support screen including an operation status area in which a plurality of management points are plotted on an operation management map within the operation management area or on a map including the operation management area based on the position information, and a precipitation data area in which the current precipitation amount and the predicted precipitation amount for each management point are listed.

[0047] FIG. 3 is an example of an operation management support screen including a route map (operation management map) in which a plurality of stations (management points) are plotted within the operation management area, and a precipitation data area in which the current precipitation amount and the predicted precipitation amount for each station included in the route map are listed. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the operation management map (operation status area) of FIG. 3.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 3, the operation management support screen has a route map (operation status area) arranged on the right side and a precipitation data area arranged on the left side. The route map has a plurality of linear route objects drawn, and circular graphic objects representing each station are plotted on each of the drawn routes. The precipitation data area is a data display area that displays the current precipitation amount and the predicted precipitation amount for each station included in one selected route. The "10-minute rainfall amount", "hourly rainfall amount", "continuous rainfall amount" indicating the current precipitation amount as described above, and the predicted precipitation amounts 10 minutes later (predicted) and 20 minutes later (predicted) are displayed for each station. The "10-minute rainfall amount", "hourly rainfall amount", "continuous rainfall amount" as described above are also displayed for 10 minutes later (predicted) and 20 minutes later (predicted), respectively.

[0049] Figure 5 is an example of an operation management support screen that includes an operation management map in which multiple management points are plotted on a map including the operation management area based on the location information of management points (stations), and a precipitation data area that displays a list of current and predicted precipitation for each station included in the operation management map. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the operation management map (operation status area) in Figure 5. Note that the precipitation data area in Figure 5 is the same as in Figure 3.

[0050] In the operation management support screen shown in Figure 5, an operation management map is placed on the right side, and linear route objects are drawn on the map. Circular geometric objects representing each station are plotted on the drawn routes. Furthermore, precipitation distribution data (precipitation distribution image) provided by the weather management system 500 is superimposed on the operation management map. In this way, the operation management unit 123 can superimpose and display a precipitation distribution image (precipitation distribution data) based on weather observation data onto the operation management map, allowing for a visual understanding of the location of precipitation areas (including precipitation intensity) within the operation management area.

[0051] The display control unit 124 controls the display of the operation management support screen on the user terminal 300's display device, and also controls the display of support for each management point in the operation status area and precipitation data area of ​​the operation management support screen based on the current precipitation or predicted precipitation.

[0052] The operation status area of ​​the operation management support screen is provided with route map buttons and weather information buttons, and the display control unit 124 controls the switching between the operation management diagram (Figure 4) and the operation management map (Figure 6) according to the selection of these buttons. In addition, the precipitation data area is provided with a route selection field, and the display control unit 124 can display a list of current precipitation and predicted precipitation data corresponding to the station (management point) corresponding to the selected route.

[0053] Next, the support display control of the display control unit 124 will be described. The data management unit 121 stores at least a threshold for the current rainfall in the storage device 130 (corresponding to the second storage unit) and associates each station (management point) with the threshold. Then, in the support display control, the display control unit 124 can perform display control of the display effect for each management point when the current rainfall meets the threshold.

[0054] This embodiment describes operational management support using both current precipitation and predicted precipitation, but it is not limited to this. For example, it may be configured to determine whether a threshold is exceeded (met) using only current precipitation, and to control the display effects of the operational management support screen according to the category corresponding to that threshold.

[0055] In this embodiment, the data management unit 121 controls the current rainfall and the forecast rainfall to set thresholds corresponding to at least three categories: caution, slow, and stop, with the thresholds increasing in the order of caution, slow, and stop. These thresholds are stored in the storage device 130.

[0056] Furthermore, the operation management unit 123 can generate an operation unit S in the operation status area of ​​the operation management support screen to display the display mode of each management point in the support display control in chronological order.The display control unit 124 can then perform support display control for each station (management point) in the operation status area based on the amount of rainfall at the time specified by the operation unit S.For example, it can perform support display control for each management point in the operation status area of ​​the operation management support screen based on the current rainfall, or it can perform support display control for each management point in the operation status area of ​​the operation management support screen based on the predicted rainfall.

[0057] Figure 7 shows an example of threshold information. The data management unit 121 stores a group of thresholds, each containing at least three categories—caution, slow down, and stop—as a single rank group (danger rank) in the storage device 130, and controls the rank group so that the thresholds corresponding to each of the three categories—caution, slow down, and stop—are different from each other.

[0058] The data management unit 121 then performs a process to associate each management point within the operation management area with a threshold value. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the data management unit 121 can be controlled to set different rank groups for each station (management point), and can be controlled to associate a threshold value with each station through the rank group. It is also possible to set the same rank group (same threshold value) for each station (management point).

[0059] The display control unit 124 determines whether the current rainfall or predicted rainfall meets a threshold in the support display control for each management point in the operation status area and rainfall data area of ​​the operation management support screen, based on the current rainfall or predicted rainfall. If the threshold is met, it performs display control to display each management point with a different display effect for each corresponding category.

[0060] Thresholds can be set for both current precipitation and predicted precipitation. Therefore, the display control unit 124 in this embodiment can, as support display control, determine whether the current precipitation meets (exceeds) the threshold and perform display effect control for the current precipitation according to the category corresponding to that threshold, and also determine whether the predicted precipitation meets (exceeds) the threshold and perform display effect control for the predicted precipitation according to the category corresponding to that threshold.

[0061] Specifically, in the precipitation data area, if the current precipitation at a station (management point) exceeds the threshold for the warning / regulation level (see Figure 7), the display control unit 124 arbitrarily changes the color of the current precipitation (numerical value) for the corresponding station (management point). Similarly, if the current precipitation at a station (management point) exceeds the threshold for the slow-speed regulation level, the color of the current precipitation (numerical value) for the corresponding station (management point) can be changed to an arbitrary color different from the warning / regulation level. Or, if the current precipitation at a station (management point) exceeds the threshold for the stop / restriction level, the color of the current precipitation (numerical value) for the corresponding station (management point) can be changed to an arbitrary color different from both the warning / regulation level and the slow-speed regulation level.

[0062] The same applies to the predicted precipitation amount (numerical value) in the precipitation data area of ​​the operation management support screen. Based on the threshold shown in Figure 7, it is possible to determine whether the predicted precipitation amount meets (exceeds) the threshold and perform the aforementioned display effect control according to the category corresponding to that threshold.

[0063] While we have shown an example of changing the color of the numerical values ​​as a display effect for current precipitation (numerical value) and predicted precipitation (numerical value), this is not the only option. For example, you can apply any display effect, such as making the values ​​blink or changing the thickness or shading of the text to emphasize them.

[0064] Furthermore, in addition to displaying effects for each current rainfall value within the rainfall data area, the display control unit 124 can also display icons corresponding to the thresholds for warning restriction levels, slow restriction levels, and stop restriction levels at the corresponding stations (management points) within the rainfall data area (see Figure 3).

[0065] As described above, the display control unit 124 can also perform support display control in the operation status area. In the operation status area, the display control unit 124 can perform display effect control that changes the color and size of the station (management point) graphic objects plotted on the operation management diagram or operation management map according to the respective classifications of warning restriction level, slow restriction level, and stop restriction level (see Figures 3 and 5).

[0066] In this case, the display control unit 124 can perform support display control for each station (management point) in the operation status area based on the amount of rainfall at the time (past, present, future) specified by the operation unit S. When performing support display control for current rainfall from several hours ago, the display control unit 124 can display the current rainfall (numerical value) corresponding to the past time specified in the operation status area in the rainfall data area. In other words, the display control unit 124 can perform synchronized display control between the operation status area and the rainfall data area based on the time specified by the operation unit S.

[0067] In this embodiment, the precipitation information obtained by analyzing weather radar observation data includes the predicted precipitation amount after a predetermined time has elapsed from the current time. The precipitation information acquisition unit 122 stores the current precipitation amount acquired in the past in chronological order. The operation management unit 123 generates an operation status area on the operation management support screen that includes an operation unit S for specifying past and future times based on the current time, and the display control unit 124 can perform support display control for each station (management point) based on the current precipitation amount and / or predicted precipitation amount corresponding to the time specified by the operation unit S.

[0068] Furthermore, the operation unit S can be configured not only as an operation unit for specifying the time to be displayed, but also as a playback unit that plays back and displays the display patterns of the operation status area of ​​the operation management support screen in chronological order, from the past to the present, and from the present to the future.

[0069] As described above, the precipitation information obtained by analyzing weather radar observation data includes the predicted precipitation amount after a predetermined time has elapsed from the current time. The precipitation information acquisition unit 122 can store the current precipitation amount acquired in the past in chronological order. The operation management unit 123 generates an operation unit S in the operation status area of ​​the operation management support screen to display the display mode of each station (management point) in chronological order in the support display control. When the operation unit S is operated, the display control unit 124 can perform support display control for each station based on the current precipitation amount from a predetermined time ago, based on the current precipitation amount from the present time to the past, and can also perform support display control for each station based on the predicted precipitation amount from the present time to the future.

[0070] The information system 100 of this embodiment does not require installation and associated operation and maintenance work like ground-based rain gauges, and can be set up at arbitrary management points other than stations, such as between stations, or around the railway tracks and stations, depending on the terrain and soil conditions, to grasp precipitation conditions.

[0071] Therefore, transportation managers can identify areas where safety can be ensured without unnecessarily broadening the scope of operational precautions or stops. In particular, they can narrow down areas experiencing localized heavy rain or torrential downpours, allowing them to appropriately identify areas where safety must be ensured. Furthermore, as mentioned above, by accumulating past current rainfall data in a time series, it is possible to verify the relationship between current rainfall and threshold information.

[0072] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the processing flow of the information system 100 in this embodiment.

[0073] As shown in Figure 8, the weather management system 500 analyzes weather observation data from the weather radar (S501). The analysis results are stored in the storage device 520 and transmitted to the information system 100 (S502).

[0074] The information system 100 performs the setting process for the management points and location information of the management points as illustrated in Figure 2 (S101). It also performs the setting process for threshold information as shown in Figure 7 (S102). Then, it associates the threshold information with each management point.

[0075] The information system 100 generates an operation management support screen (S103) which includes an operation status area displaying an operation management diagram in which multiple management points are plotted within the operation management area, or an operation management map in which multiple management points are plotted on a map including the operation management area based on location information, and a precipitation data area displaying a list of current precipitation and predicted precipitation for each management point.

[0076] The information system 100 obtains current and predicted precipitation corresponding to the location information of the management point from precipitation information provided by the weather management system 500, which includes current precipitation corresponding to the current time and predicted precipitation from the current time to the future (S104).

[0077] The information system 100 transmits a traffic management support screen to the user terminal 300 and controls the display of the traffic management support screen on the user terminal 300's display device (S105). Then, based on the current rainfall or predicted rainfall, it controls the display of support for each management point in the traffic status area and the rainfall data area on the traffic management support screen displayed on the display device (S106).

[0078] The weather management system 500 continuously provides precipitation information to the information system 100 at predetermined time intervals. The information system 100 updates the operation management support screen (precipitation data area and operation status area) using the latest received precipitation information, and stores the current precipitation amount, which was previously applied in display control, in the storage device 130 as the current precipitation amount at past time points.

[0079] The information system 100 terminates processing (S108) when the display control of the operation management support screen on the user terminal 300's display device and the support display control are completed (YES in S107).

[0080] Figure 9 shows a system configuration in which the information system 100 is configured as part of the weather management system 500. In the example in Figure 1, the information system 100 and the weather management system 500 are built separately, but as shown in Figure 9, the information system 100 may be configured to provide operation management support services as one of the weather-related services provided by the weather management system 500.

[0081] For example, the weather management system 500 can be configured to include: an analysis unit 511 that analyzes weather radar observation data and outputs precipitation information including current precipitation (and predicted precipitation) corresponding to the current time; a storage device 130 that stores a plurality of management points within the operation management area and location information of the management points; a precipitation information acquisition unit 122 that acquires current precipitation (and predicted precipitation) corresponding to the location information of the management points from the precipitation information; an operation management unit 123 that generates an operation management support screen including an operation status area where an operation management diagram in which a plurality of management points are plotted within the operation management area or an operation management map in which a plurality of management points are plotted on a map including the operation management area based on location information, and a precipitation data area where current precipitation (and predicted precipitation) for each management point is displayed in a list; and a display control unit 124 that controls the display of the operation management support screen on a predetermined display device and controls the support display for each management point in the operation status area and the precipitation data area based on current precipitation (or predicted precipitation).

[0082] As described above, the embodiments are described, but each function constituting the information system 100 and the weather management system 500 can be realized by a program. Computer programs prepared in advance to realize each function are stored in an auxiliary storage device, and a control unit such as a CPU reads the program stored in the auxiliary storage device into the main memory, and the control unit executes the program read into the main memory, thereby enabling the operation of each part.

[0083] Furthermore, the above program can also be provided to a computer in a state where it is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include optical discs such as CD-ROM and Blu-ray® Disc Rewritable, phase-change optical discs such as DVD-ROM, magneto-optical discs such as MO (Magneto Optical), magnetic discs such as floppy disks and hard disks, and memory cards such as SD memory cards and USB flash drives. Hardware devices such as integrated circuits (IC chips such as ROM and RAM) that are specially designed and configured for the purposes of the present invention are also included as recording media. Moreover, the present invention, including the above program, is not limited to being executed on a von Neumann computer architecture, but may also be executed on so-called non-von Neumann computer architectures such as neurocomputers based on the mechanisms of brain neural circuits or quantum computers that apply quantum mechanics to information processing.

[0084] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents.

[0085] 100 Information system 110 Communication device 120 Control device 121 Data management unit 122 Precipitation information acquisition unit 123 Operation management unit 124 Display control unit 130 Storage device 300 User terminal 500 Weather management system 510 Control device 511 Analysis unit 512 Information provision unit 520 Storage device 530 Communication device

Claims

1. An information system for supporting the operation management of transportation or roads, comprising: a first storage unit that stores a plurality of management points within an operation management area and location information of the management points; a precipitation information acquisition unit that obtains precipitation information, including current precipitation corresponding to the current time, obtained by analyzing weather radar observation data, and acquires the current precipitation corresponding to the location information of the management points from the precipitation information; an operation management unit that generates an operation management support screen including an operation management diagram in which a plurality of the management points within the operation management area are plotted, or an operation management map in which a plurality of the management points are plotted on a map including the operation management area based on the location information, and a precipitation data area in which the current precipitation for each management point is displayed in a list; and a display control unit that controls the display of the operation management support screen on a predetermined display device and controls the support display for each of the management points in the operation status area and the precipitation data area based on the current precipitation.

2. The information system according to claim 1, comprising: a second storage unit for storing a threshold value for the current rainfall; and a data management unit for associating each of the management points with the threshold value, wherein the display control unit, in the support display control, performs display control of a display effect for each of the management points when the current rainfall value satisfies the threshold value.

3. The information system according to claim 2, wherein the threshold is provided with at least three categories: caution, slow, and stop, with values ​​set to increase in the order of caution, slow, and stop, and the display control unit, in the support display control, performs display control of different display effects for each corresponding category for each management point when the current rainfall amount satisfies the threshold.

4. The information system according to claim 3, characterized in that the data management unit stores a group of thresholds including at least three categories of caution, slow down, and stop as a single rank group in the second storage unit, and controls the data management unit to enable setting multiple rank groups in which the thresholds corresponding to each of the three categories of caution, slow down, and stop are different from each other, and the data management unit controls the data management unit to enable setting a different rank group for each of the management points, thereby associating the thresholds with each of the management points through each rank group.

5. The information system according to claim 1, characterized in that the operation management unit overlays and displays a precipitation distribution image based on the observation data on the operation management map.

6. The information system according to claim 1, characterized in that the precipitation information obtained by analyzing weather radar observation data includes a predicted precipitation amount after a predetermined time has elapsed from the current time, the precipitation information acquisition unit acquires the current precipitation amount and the predicted precipitation amount corresponding to the location information of the management point from the precipitation information, the operation management unit generates the operation management support screen so that the current precipitation amount and the predicted precipitation amount for each management point are displayed in a list in the precipitation data area, and the display control unit performs support display control for each management point in the operation status area and the precipitation data area based on the current precipitation amount or the predicted precipitation amount in the support display control.

7. The information system according to claim 1, characterized in that the precipitation information obtained by analyzing weather radar observation data includes predicted precipitation after a predetermined time has elapsed from the current time, the precipitation information acquisition unit stores the current precipitation amount acquired in the past in a time series in a predetermined storage area, the operation management unit generates the operation status area of ​​the operation management support screen to include an operation unit for specifying past and future times based on the current time, and the display control unit performs the support display control for each management point based on the current precipitation amount and / or predicted precipitation amount corresponding to the time specified by the operation unit.

8. The information system according to claim 1, characterized in that the precipitation information obtained by analyzing weather radar observation data includes predicted precipitation after a predetermined time has elapsed from the current time, the precipitation information acquisition unit stores the current precipitation previously acquired in a predetermined memory area in chronological order, the operation management unit generates the operation status area of ​​the operation management support screen to include an operation unit for displaying the display mode of each management point in the support display control in chronological order, and the display control unit, when the operation unit is operated, performs the support display control for each management point based on the current precipitation from a predetermined time ago based on the current precipitation from the current time to the past, and also performs the support display control for each management point based on the predicted precipitation from the current time to the future.

9. A program executed by a computer that supports the operation management of transportation or roads, the program comprising: a first function that stores a plurality of management points within an operation management area and location information of the management points; a second function that obtains precipitation information, including current precipitation corresponding to the current time, obtained by analyzing weather radar observation data, from the precipitation information to acquire the current precipitation corresponding to the location information of the management points; a third function that generates an operation management support screen including an operation management diagram in which a plurality of the management points within the operation management area are plotted, or an operation management map in which a plurality of the management points are plotted on a map including the operation management area based on the location information, and a precipitation data area in which the current precipitation for each management point is displayed in a list; and a fourth function that controls the display of the operation management support screen on a predetermined display device and controls the support display for each of the management points in the operation status area and the precipitation data area based on the current precipitation.

10. A method for supporting the operation management of a transportation system or road, comprising the steps of: a computer storing a plurality of management points within an operation management area and location information of the management points; precipitation information including current precipitation corresponding to the current time, obtained by analyzing weather radar observation data, wherein the current precipitation corresponds to the location information of the management points; generating an operation management support screen including an operation management diagram in which a plurality of the management points within the operation management area are plotted, or an operation management map in which a plurality of the management points are plotted on a map including the operation management area based on the location information; and a precipitation data area in which the current precipitation for each management point is displayed in a list; and controlling the display of the operation management support screen on a predetermined display device, and performing support display control for each of the management points in the operation status area and the precipitation data area based on the current precipitation.

11. An information system for supporting railway operation management, comprising: a first storage unit that stores a plurality of stations within an operation management area and location information of the stations; a precipitation information acquisition unit that obtains precipitation information, including current precipitation corresponding to the current time, obtained by analyzing weather radar observation data, and acquires the current precipitation corresponding to the location information of the stations from the precipitation information; an operation management unit that generates an operation management support screen including an operation management route map in which a plurality of the stations within the operation management area are plotted, or an operation management map in which a plurality of the stations are plotted on a map including the operation management area based on the location information, and a precipitation data area in which the current precipitation for each station is displayed in a list; and a display control unit that controls the display of the operation management support screen on a predetermined display device and controls the support display for each station in the operation status area and the precipitation data area based on the current precipitation.

12. A weather management system comprising: an analysis unit that analyzes observation data from a weather radar and outputs precipitation information including current precipitation corresponding to the current time; a first storage unit that stores a plurality of management points within an operation management area and location information of the management points; a precipitation information acquisition unit that acquires the current precipitation corresponding to the location information of the management points from the precipitation information; an operation management unit that generates an operation management support screen including an operation status area in which an operation management diagram in which a plurality of management points are plotted within an operation management area or an operation management map in which a plurality of management points are plotted on a map including the operation management area based on the location information, and a precipitation data area in which the current precipitation for each management point is displayed in a list; and a display control unit that controls the display of the operation management support screen on a predetermined display device and controls the support display for each management point in the operation status area and the precipitation data area based on the current precipitation.

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