Dynamic Bus Stop Assignment via Geospatial Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional bus stop locations in regional transportation networks often fail to adapt to changing passenger demands, leading to inefficient pick-up and drop-off points that vary significantly over time, making it difficult for passengers to effectively use bus services.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a bus server to analyze the geospatial location of a mobile device to determine the closest street intersection along a bus route, allowing buses to pick up passengers at optimized locations, provide estimated arrival times, and offer flexible drop-off options, while enabling fare payment and navigation through mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed bus stops are used along a route, then the bus route structure is simple and easy to operate, but the system cannot adapt to changing passenger demands and effective pick-up/drop-off locations vary significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bus stop locations by allowing the system to determine optimal pick-up and drop-off points based on real-time passenger requests and geospatial data, rather than using fixed stops. The bus server dynamically calculates and assigns stops based on current conditions, enabling the system to adapt to varying passenger needs while maintaining operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of bus stop location from fixed to variable based on passenger requests. By analyzing geospatial location data and route information, the system dynamically adjusts stop parameters (location, timing) to match changing passenger demands, thereby improving adaptability without requiring complete system redesign.
2Productivity
If variable bus stops are implemented to meet changing passenger needs, then passenger convenience and service efficiency improve, but the system complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bus server automatically processes passenger requests, analyzes geospatial data, determines optimal stops, and coordinates bus routes without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages the complexity of variable stop assignments by using automated algorithms that process requests and generate optimized schedules, thereby improving productivity while containing system complexity through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops where passenger requests and real-time location data continuously inform route adjustments. By monitoring actual passenger needs and adjusting stops accordingly, the system optimizes service efficiency while managing complexity through iterative feedback-based optimization rather than requiring complex predetermined plans.
3Ease of operation
If buses wait for optimal pickup locations along the route, then passenger convenience improves, but travel time and delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating optimal routes and stops based on predicted passenger requests and current conditions. The bus server analyzes potential pickup locations in advance and prepares schedules that balance convenience with minimal delays, allowing buses to proceed efficiently while ensuring passenger needs are met at optimal moments without excessive waiting.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a method and a system of variable bus stops across a bus route in a regional transportation network, according to one embodiment. A method of a bus server includes analyzing a current geospatial location of a mobile device responsive to a pick up request of a prospective bus passenger, associating a closest street intersection with the current geospatial location of the mobile device, and determining if a bus route traverses the closest street intersection associated with the current geospatial location of the mobile device. A message may be communicated to the mobile device based on the determination of whether the bus route traverses the closest street intersection. A bus associated with the bus route may be instructed to pick up the prospective bus passenger when the bus route traverses the closest street intersection associated with the current geospatial location of the mobile device.