Micro-mobility Placement Guidance via Dynamic Flow Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mapping and navigation service providers face challenges in providing guidance for placing shared micro-mobility vehicles in areas without officially designated parking locations, particularly in crowded spaces, as existing solutions lack real-time dynamic information on suitable placement locations that avoid interference with pedestrian flow, bicycle lanes, and other objects.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that identify suitable placement locations on sidewalks by considering factors such as current or predicted people flow, bicycle lanes, objects, points of interest, and sidewalk configuration, using processors to determine the suitability of a location for temporary placement of shared micro-mobility vehicles and outputting an indication of their suitability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If shared micro-mobility vehicles are placed in crowded areas without officially designated parking locations, then vehicle availability and accessibility are improved, but interference with pedestrian flow and obstruction of public space usage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically evaluates placement locations by considering real-time factors such as current and predicted people flow, sidewalk configuration, and nearby objects. The suitability determination is not static but adapts to changing conditions, allowing vehicles to be placed in locations that minimize pedestrian interference while maintaining accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple data sources including sensor data about pedestrian flow, map data about sidewalk geometry, and image data about nearby objects to continuously assess and determine suitable placement locations. This feedback mechanism enables the system to identify optimal spots that balance vehicle accessibility with minimal disruption to public space usage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If placement locations are restricted to officially designated parking areas, then pedestrian flow and public space usage are protected, but vehicle availability and placement flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different evaluation criteria to different locations on the sidewalk based on local characteristics. Each candidate location is assessed individually considering its specific context such as proximity to bicycle lanes, presence of objects, and local pedestrian flow patterns. This allows the system to identify suitable placement locations in areas without official designation while respecting local constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters used for location suitability determination based on local conditions. It adjusts the weight and consideration of various factors such as people flow, sidewalk configuration, and nearby objects depending on the specific location characteristics, enabling flexible placement decisions that adapt to diverse urban environments.
3Reliability
If multiple factors are considered for placement location determination, then placement suitability and reduction of interference are improved, but computational complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the placement location determination process into distinct components: acquiring sensor data about pedestrian flow, acquiring map data about sidewalk geometry, acquiring image data about nearby objects, and integrating these data sources to determine suitability. This segmentation allows each data type to be processed independently using appropriate methods before integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a multi-functional platform that can process and integrate multiple types of data (sensor data, map data, image data) using a unified approach. The same processing architecture handles different data sources, reducing overall system complexity despite the multiple factors being considered.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach is provided for determining placement location(s) in a public space for a shared micro-mobility vehicle. The approach involves identifying a candidate placement location in the sidewalk area. The approach also involves determining factor(s) associated with the location and/or nearby location(s) in the sidewalk area. The approach further involves making a determination of whether the location is suitable for temporary placement of a shared micro-mobility vehicle based on whether the location enables: (i) avoiding interference between the vehicle and a current/predicted people flow, a bicycle lane, and/or one or more objects, (ii) preventing the vehicle from hindering usage of a point of interest, a vehicle parking area, and/or a transit station, or (iii) accommodating the vehicle to a sidewalk configuration. The approach further involves based on the determination, outputting an indication of whether the location is suitable for temporary placement of the vehicle.