Multi-Modal AV Route Planning With Real-Time Trip Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional transportation systems require users to manually determine and arrange multiple transportation modalities, which can be time-consuming and costly, especially during high traffic or when a single modality is not the fastest or cheapest option, limiting the efficiency of multi-modal trips.

Innovation Solution

A multiple-modality transportation system that includes a client computing device, a server computing device, and autonomous vehicles (AVs), which optimizes routes considering various transportation modalities such as AVs, trains, buses, and walking, allowing users to order and pay for multiple modalities through a single interface, and dynamically updates routes in real-time to adapt to changes in user location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If users manually determine and arrange multiple transportation modalities, then they can potentially optimize their trip route, but it becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrip planning efficiencyVSAvoidtime for manual arrangements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic multi-modality route optimization without requiring user intervention. The server computing device autonomously determines optimal routes combining multiple transportation modalities (AVs, trains, buses, walking) based on real-time data, eliminating the need for users to manually plan and arrange each segment of their journey.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-calculates and prepares optimized multi-modality routes before the user needs them. By continuously monitoring transportation data and pre-computing optimal routes, the system has route plans ready when users request transportation, significantly reducing planning time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If users manually arrange multiple transportation modalities, then they can potentially reduce costs, but it requires multiple separate orders and arrangements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrip coordination efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of separate orders
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple separate transportation arrangements into a single integrated multi-modality route plan. Instead of requiring users to place separate orders for AVs, trains, buses, or walking segments, the system consolidates all transportation modalities into one coordinated itinerary that can be booked and managed through a single interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides a universal platform that handles multiple transportation modalities (autonomous vehicles, public transit, walking routes) through a single interface. This multi-functional system eliminates the need for users to interact with multiple separate services or placement procedures for different transport types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If a single modality of transport is used, then the ordering process is simple, but it may not be the fastest or cheapest way to reach the destination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveordering simplicityVSAvoidtravel time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts transportation routes by combining multiple modalities based on real-time conditions such as traffic, weather, and transit availability. Instead of static single-modality routes, the system continuously optimizes the combination of AVs, public transit, and walking segments to provide the fastest and most cost-effective journey while maintaining ease of ordering through automated coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If conventional transportation systems are used, then users have control over their arrangements, but they must estimate or guess whether multiple modalities would be faster or cheaper

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser controlVSAvoidlack of optimization data
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides users with feedback-based route recommendations by analyzing real-time transportation data, historical patterns, and current conditions. The server computing device calculates and presents optimized multi-modality routes with comparative information about travel time and cost, enabling users to make informed decisions while maintaining their preference for user control over the final selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3931531B1Systems and methods for multi-modality autonomous vehicle transport
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 GM CRUISE HOLDINGS LLC
  • EP3931531B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3931531B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3931531B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Technologies disclosed herein facilitate identification of a trip route from an origin of a user to a desired destination of the user, wherein the trip route includes multiple transportation modalities, at least one of which is an autonomous vehicle (AV), and dispatching of the AV to a pickup location for the user in connection with providing transportation to the user along a portion of the identified trip route.