Berth Time Allocation Using Real-Time Vehicle Arrival Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing time management systems for distribution facility berths face inefficiencies due to congestion, leading to drivers arriving either too early or too late, resulting in unnecessary waiting or unused reservations, necessitating a dynamic reservation management mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A time management system comprising a terminal connected to a server via a network, which calculates an estimated arrival time and allocates berth usage based on real-time vacancy, notifying the driver of the allocated time, allowing for efficient use and re-allocation of berths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drivers reserve berths in advance on a first-come-first-served basis, then berth reservation security is improved, but congestion and waiting times increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts berth allocation based on real-time conditions. Instead of static first-come-first-served allocation, the server continuously receives position information from terminals, calculates estimated arrival times, and reallocates berths dynamically. This allows the system to adapt to actual traffic conditions and reduce waiting times while maintaining reservation security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where terminals continuously transmit position information to the server, which then recalculates estimated arrival times and notifies drivers of berth allocation changes. This closed-loop feedback enables real-time optimization of berth usage, reducing congestion and waiting times while maintaining reliable reservation allocation.
2Reliability
If drivers arrive early to secure berths, then berth reservation reliability is improved, but unnecessary waiting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs preliminary calculation of estimated arrival times based on position information before the vehicle actually arrives. By knowing the estimated arrival time in advance, the system can allocate berths optimally and notify drivers of the exact allocation time, eliminating the need for drivers to arrive early and wait unnecessarily while still ensuring reliable berth allocation.
3Productivity
If drivers arrive later than reserved time, then productivity is improved, but berth usage reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically monitors position information and recalculates estimated arrival times in real-time. When a driver's arrival time changes, the server receives updated position data, recalculates the estimated arrival time, and reallocates berths accordingly. This dynamic adjustment maintains high berth usage reliability even when drivers' schedules change, while allowing conveyance operations to proceed efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
A time management system includes a terminal, a server, and a calculation unit. The terminal moves with the vehicle using the berth. The server connects the terminal via a network. The calculation unit calculates an estimated arrival time when the vehicle moving arrives at the berth based on position information. The server allocates a usage time of using the berth by the vehicle arriving at the berth at the estimated arrival time based on the estimated arrival time calculated by the calculation unit and a vacancy situation of the berth, and notifies the terminal moving together with the vehicle of the usage time allocated by the allocation unit. The terminal includes an output unit that the usage time notified from the server.