Vehicle Resource Allocation System for Priority Zone Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current manual systems for allocating fleet vehicles, such as taxis and delivery trucks, are inefficient in managing vehicle presence near priority environments, leading to increased journey times and reduced vehicle utilization due to lack of consideration for factors beyond proximity to demand hotspots.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle resource allocation system that identifies and manages 'hot spots' and their associated extended priority zones, using geolocation and scoring mechanisms to automatically direct vehicles to areas of high demand, minimizing journey times and optimizing vehicle utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If vehicles are automatically assigned the nearest location to desired destination, then journey time is reduced, but overall vehicle utilization efficiency deteriorates due to lack of consideration for priority environments and demand hotspots
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively directing vehicles to priority environments and demand hotspots before actual service requests occur. The allocation controller identifies priority environments and uses scoring mechanisms to pre-position vehicles in high-demand areas, ensuring rapid response when requests are made while optimizing overall fleet utilization.
2Productivity
If manual allocation by controller is used, then vehicle presence near priority environments can be managed, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by enabling automatic vehicle allocation through the allocation controller that independently identifies priority environments, calculates scoring for multiple factors, and assigns vehicles without human intervention. The system monitors vehicle locations, evaluates demand patterns, and makes allocation decisions autonomously, eliminating the need for manual controller operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual system (controller voice communications and verbal location requests) with an automated electronic system. The allocation controller uses electronic communications networks, geolocation tracking, and computer-based scoring mechanisms to substitute human operators, reducing time consumption and operational complexity while improving management efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If more vehicles are positioned near demand hotspots, then customer satisfaction improves, but fuel costs and vehicle wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by directing only a portion of the fleet to priority environments based on calculated scoring, rather than positioning all vehicles near hotspots. The allocation controller evaluates multiple factors and assigns vehicles proportionally, ensuring sufficient vehicle presence for customer satisfaction while avoiding excessive concentration that would increase fuel costs and wear on specific vehicles.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media provide for allocating vehicle resources to future vehicle requirements based on priority environments, such as in or near ‘hot spots,’ or other priority locations, where requests for vehicle resources are or are expected to be particularly high. In one embodiment, a vehicle resource allocation system allocates vehicles to requested locations such that vehicles of a fleet become more readily available to a hot spot, without requiring vehicles to be directed specifically to the hot spot.