Dynamic Cancellation Fee Calculation for On-Demand Bus Reservations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack an effective method to determine appropriate cancellation fees for on-demand bus reservations, which are canceled by users, considering various factors such as timing, passenger presence, route deviation, and demand periods.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that calculates cancellation fees based on the timing of cancellation, taking into account factors like passenger presence, route deviation, and demand periods, ensuring the fee does not exceed the upper limit of the fare, thereby providing a fair and reasonable charge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If cancellation fees are set high to cover operational costs, then cost recovery is improved, but user burden increases and timely cancellations are discouraged
Solution Approach 1:
The cancellation fee is made dynamic by adjusting it based on the timing of cancellation relative to the scheduled departure time. The system transitions from a static fixed fee to a variable fee that changes over time, allowing cost recovery while reducing user burden for timely cancellations.
Solution Approach 2:
The fee parameter is changed based on time conditions. The system defines different fee levels corresponding to different time periods (e.g., full fee for cancellations within a certain time window before departure, reduced fee for later cancellations), thereby adapting the cost recovery mechanism to user needs.
2Ease of operation
If cancellation fees are set low to reduce user burden, then ease of operation is improved, but cost recovery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the cancellation fee based on when the cancellation occurs. For cancellations made close to the scheduled departure time, higher fees are imposed to ensure cost recovery. For cancellations made earlier, reduced fees are applied, balancing user convenience with operational cost coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The fee parameter varies based on time conditions. The system establishes different fee levels corresponding to different time periods relative to the scheduled departure, ensuring that sufficient fees are charged when cancellations occur late to cover costs, while allowing lower fees for early cancellations to reduce user burden.
3Device complexity
If fixed cancellation fees are applied to all users, then system simplicity is maintained, but fairness deteriorates as it does not account for timing differences
Solution Approach 1:
The cancellation fee system transitions from a static fixed fee to a dynamic variable fee that automatically adjusts based on the time of cancellation. This dynamic approach maintains reasonable system simplicity while introducing adaptability to timing differences, achieving fairness without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fee parameter is changed based on time conditions. The system defines different fee levels corresponding to different time periods relative to the scheduled departure time, thereby adapting the fee to the specific circumstances of each cancellation while maintaining a straightforward implementation structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a controller. When a cancellation of a reservation for use of an on-demand bus occurs, the controller determines a cancellation fee to be charged to a user who makes the cancellation, based on timing of occurrence of the cancellation.