Sidewalk EV Dispatch Routing With Pickup Arrival Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation systems for small electric vehicles that travel on sidewalks face challenges in providing optimal mobility services due to the need to consider pedestrian traffic, infrastructure constraints, and user comfort when switching between self-driving and manual driving, particularly in areas with complex sidewalk layouts and varying pick-up locations.
Innovation Solution
An operation system that integrates route planning with dynamic node and link settings, allowing for both self-driving and manual driving options, includes a meeting support function to notify users of vehicle arrival, and adjusts pick-up points to optimize routes, reducing user burden and enhancing comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the system provides automated transportation service with unmanned self-driving, then service efficiency and productivity are improved, but the complexity of navigation planning and route generation increases due to sidewalk infrastructure constraints and pedestrian traffic considerations
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation planning is segmented into multiple independent modules: route generation module that creates base routes, alternative route generation module that considers sidewalk constraints, and pick-up point determination module that optimizes meeting locations. This segmentation allows each module to handle specific aspects of the complex navigation problem independently, improving service efficiency while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating multiple alternative routes and evaluating pick-up point candidates before actual service execution. The route generation module creates base routes in advance, and the system pre-determines optimal pick-up points considering infrastructure constraints, thereby reducing real-time computational complexity and improving response efficiency.
2Speed
If the system generates routes using conventional methods assuming motor vehicles, then route generation speed is improved, but the suitability for sidewalk-traveling vehicles deteriorates due to lack of consideration for pedestrian traffic and infrastructure constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by implementing specialized route planning logic tailored to sidewalk infrastructure characteristics. The alternative route generation module specifically considers pedestrian traffic zones, crosswalk locations, and sidewalk width constraints, creating routes with local adaptations that suit sidewalk-traveling vehicles while maintaining overall route generation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The route generation system dynamically adapts between conventional motor vehicle routing methods and sidewalk-specific routing considerations. The system can switch between base route generation (faster, conventional methods) and alternative route generation (slower, sidewalk-optimized methods) depending on the specific service requirements and infrastructure conditions, thereby balancing speed and adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If the system requires users to meet vehicles at designated pick-up locations, then service operationalization is improved, but user psychological burden increases due to unfamiliar locations and difficulty in finding the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that provide real-time information to users about vehicle location, arrival status, and pick-up point details through communication terminals. This feedback loop reduces user anxiety and psychological burden by keeping them informed about the service status and facilitating easier vehicle location and recognition at pick-up points.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary communication terminal that mediates between the user and the vehicle pickup process. This intermediary provides guidance information, location details, and vehicle identification assistance, thereby reducing the direct cognitive load on users and making the pick-up process less burdensome while maintaining operational efficiency.
4Ease of operation
If the system allows manual driving option, then user control and comfort are improved, but the extent of automation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements multi-functionality by integrating both automated self-driving mode and manual driving mode within a single unified operation framework. The vehicle operation system can universally handle both automation levels, allowing users to switch between fully automated navigation and manual control as needed, thereby providing flexibility without compromising the core automated transportation service capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem] To provide an operation system for a small electric vehicle that is advantageous for lessening the burden of meeting up with a vehicle dispatched by unmanned self-driving at a pick-up location. [Solution] The operation system comprises a route generation part that generates, in response to a dispatch request from a user communication terminal connected through the communication system, a first travel route by unmanned driving from a current location of the vehicle to a pick-up location for a user associated with the user communication terminal and a second travel route by manned driving from the pick-up location for the user to a destination location, and has a meeting support function that gives notice of arrival to the user communication terminal when the vehicle is driven by unmanned driving on the first travel route and arrives at the pick-up location for the user.