Starting Point Determination for Equal Travel Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining a meeting point or starting point between two entities fail to ensure both entities cover equal distance and time, especially when different means of transport are used, leading to unfair travel conditions and inefficiencies in delivery services.
Innovation Solution
A method that subdivides routes into sections and subsections to precisely determine a starting point, taking into account the characteristics of each transport means, such as speed and distance, to ensure both entities cover equal distance and time, with the option to adjust for traffic and environmental factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the meeting point is determined as a simple midpoint between two entities, then the calculation is simple and fast, but the travel time and distance are not equal for entities using different means of transport
Solution Approach 1:
The route between two entities is divided into multiple route sections, each with its own travel time characteristics. The system segments the journey to calculate and adjust the meeting point position based on the specific travel times of different transport modes, ensuring equal arrival times while maintaining computational feasibility.
2Loss of time
If the meeting point is adjusted to ensure equal travel time for different transport modes, then travel time equality is improved, but the calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameters used for meeting point calculation from simple geometric midpoint coordinates to time-based parameters that account for different transport speeds. By using travel time as the primary parameter and iteratively adjusting the meeting point position, the system achieves time equality without requiring complex optimization algorithms.
3Measurement precision
If the route is subdivided into multiple sections, then the determination of the starting point becomes more precise, but the computational effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The route is divided into discrete route sections that can be processed sequentially. This segmentation allows the system to achieve precise starting point determination by calculating travel times section by section, rather than requiring complex continuous optimization, thus balancing precision with computational efficiency.
4Productivity
If the starting point is determined without considering traffic conditions, then the calculation is faster and simpler, but the actual arrival time equality cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations using standard travel times to establish an initial meeting point position. This preliminary action provides a good starting approximation quickly, and then traffic condition adjustments can be applied iteratively if needed, balancing calculation speed with arrival time accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a starting point between two entities that are configured to determine their location and to communicate using a communication interface. The locations of the entities are determined in map material. A route, composed of at least two route points each connected by a route section, between the two locations of the entities is determined in the map material. In order to iteratively ascertain a position of the starting point on the route, the route sections included in the route are subdivided into route subsections with the result that a section of the route extending from the location of a first entity to the starting point can be covered in the same time and/or has the same length as a section of the route extending from the location of a second entity to the starting point.