GB2556578A

GB2556578A - Congestion monitoring device, congestion monitoring method, and congestion monitoring program

Info

Publication number: GB2556578A
Application number: GB1801802.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fujiwara Masayasu; Katou Manabu; Ning Rui
Original assignee: Hitachi Ltd
Current assignee: Hitachi Ltd
Priority date: 2015-08-06
Filing date: 2016-03-23
Publication date: 2018-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 2036-03-23
Also published as: GB2556578B; WO2017022273A1; JP6481039B2; JPWO2017022273A1; GB201801802D0

Abstract

The present invention appropriately determines whether a congestion state in an area being monitored is normal or abnormal. A congestion monitoring device for monitoring traveler congestion in an area being monitored is provided with a congestion estimation unit for estimating a congestion index indicating a degree of congestion for each time period in each area arrived at by dividing the area being monitored, a congestion index management unit for retaining reference values for the congestion indexes in each time period in each area, a congestion index comparison unit for generating increase/decrease information indicating the increase/decrease of the congestion indexes in relation to the reference values, and an output unit for outputting notification information corresponding to the increase/decrease information

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Congestion monitoring device, congestion monitoring method, and congestion monitoring program

Abstract Title: Congestion monitoring device, congestion monitoring method, and congestion monitoring program

The present invention appropriately determines whether a congestion state in an area being monitored is normal or abnormal. A congestion monitoring device for monitoring traveler congestion in an area being monitored is provided with a congestion estimation unit for estimating a congestion index indicating a degree of congestion for each time period in each area arrived at by dividing the area being monitored, a congestion index management unit for retaining reference values for the congestion indexes in each time period in each area, a congestion index comparison unit for generating increase/decrease information indicating the increase/ decrease of the congestion indexes in relation to the reference values, and an output unit for outputting notification information corresponding to the increase/ decrease information

101 Congestion estimation unit

102 Congestion index management unit (database)

103 Congestion index comparison unit

104 Guidance route calculation unit

105 Space information management unit (database)

106 Output unit

107 Information terminal

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DESCRIPTION

Title of invention: CONGESTION MONITORING DEVICE,

CONGESTION MONITORING METHOD, AND CONGESTION MONITORING

PROGRAM

Technical Field [0001]

The present invention relates to a technology for providing information of a congestion situation in a predetermined monitoring target range such as a railway station.

Background Art [0002]

Congestion of passengers in railway stations is a problem, in particular, in metropolitan areas at the time of commuting. The congestion in railway stations leads to danger such as fall of passengers from a platform and a delay of train operation due to an increase in time required for the passengers to get on and off trains due to congestion. To mitigate the congestion or decrease the influence of the congestion, grasping or predicting the congestion situation and notifying the passengers or operators of the congestion situation are required.

[0003]

Several methods for grasping congestion in railway stations have been disclosed so far. A technology for measuring movement of passengers by a surveillance camera or an automatic ticket gate, and calculating the degree of congestion per area in a railway station in real time according to obtained data of the movement of passengers and pedestrian simulation is disclosed in PTL 1.

Citation List

Patent Literature [0004]

PTL 1: JP 2008-217289 A

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem [0005]

Notifying the passengers or operators of the congestion situation is to determine necessity of congestion countermeasures such as restriction of entry to the station or induction of detour walking, and to determine appropriate congestion countermeasures. However, because the degree of congestion is high, it is not necessarily a situation that should be notified to the passengers or operators. The degree of congestion in the railway station greatly differs depending on the time zone and area, even in a normal state without any abnormality.

For example, in an area where congestion occurs on a daily basis in the morning and evening commuting time zones, it is not meaningful to notify the passengers or operators of the congestion in the morning and evening of that area.

Therefore, it is	not necessarily	appropriate	to	determine
the necessity of	notification by	determining	the	degree of
congestion with a	threshold.
[0006]
An objective of the present	invention is	to	provide a

technology for properly determining whether a congestion situation in a monitoring target range is normal or abnormal.

Solution to Problem [0007]

A congestion monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a congestion monitoring device for monitoring congestion of passengers in a monitoring target range, the congestion monitoring device including a congestion estimation unit configured to estimate a congestion index indicating the degree of congestion in each time zone for each of areas obtained by dividing the monitoring target range, a congestion index management unit configured to hold a standard value of the congestion index per time zone for each area, a congestion index comparison unit configured to generate increase/decrease information indicating increase/decrease in the congestion index with respect to the standard value, and an output unit configured to output notification information according to the increase/decrease information.

Advantageous Effects of Invention [0008]

	According	to	the	present	invention, a	congestion
index	per area	per	time	zone is	compared with	a standard
value	per area	per	time	zone, and	notification	information

according to increase/decrease in the congestion index with respect to the standard value is output. Therefore, whether a congestion situation in a monitoring target range is normal or abnormal can be properly determined.

Brief Description of Drawings [0009] [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a congestion monitoring device.

[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a table illustrating an example of congestion indices accumulated in a congestion index management unit.

[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a table illustrating an example of standard values of congestion induces calculated in the congestion index management unit.

[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a table illustrating an example of increase/decrease information indicating increase/decrease of congestion indices with respect to standard values.

[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a table illustrating an example of results of determination as to whether a congestion status of each area falls within a normal range on the basis of the increase/decrease information of the congestion index illustrated in FIG. 4.

[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of position information of each area of the monitoring target range included in the space information on a map.

[FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a table illustrating an example of information indicating connection and travel time between areas in the monitoring target range included in the space information.

[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of connection information between areas in the monitoring target range included in the space information by network on a map .

[FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a congestion estimation unit according to another example.

[FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a congestion index comparison unit.

[FIG. 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a guide path calculation unit.

[FIG. 12]	FIG. 12 is	a	diagram illustrating an
example of path	information in	a	case where the congestion
index of each area does not have	an increase exceeding a
threshold.
[FIG. 13]	FIG. 13 is	a	diagram illustrating a

position and a congestion state of each area in the monitoring target range.

[FIG. 14]	FIG.	14 is	a diagram illustrating	an
example of path	information in	a case where an increase	in
the congestion	index	of a	part of areas exceeds	an

increase/decrease threshold.

[FIG. 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating processing of an output unit.

[FIG. 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an area for which congestion mitigation measures are to be implemented in an information terminal.

Description of Embodiments [0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <0verview>

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a congestion monitoring device according to the present embodiment. A congestion monitoring device 100 divides a monitoring target range into a plurality of areas and monitors congestion of passengers in each area. The congestion monitoring device

100 includes a congestion estimation unit 101, a congestion index management unit 102, a space information management unit 105, a congestion index comparison unit 103, a guide path calculation unit 104, and an output unit 106.

[0012]

The congestion estimation unit 101 estimates a congestion index representing the degree of congestion per area and outputs the congestion index as congestion index information in real time.

[0013]

The congestion index management unit 102 accumulates the congestion index information in a database and calculates and records statistical information of the congestion index. For example, statistical information such as an average value or a median value in a past predetermined period is used as a standard value of the congestion index (standard value) in a normal state in which no abnormality related to an appropriate area occurs in particular.

[0014]

The space information management unit 105 holds, in a database, space information indicating, for the areas, its positions, connection relationship between areas in which passengers are travelable, and a time required to pass an area .

[0015]

The congestion index comparison unit 103 determines notification information to be notified to passengers or a station staff on the basis of statistical information of the congestion index recorded in the congestion index management unit 102 and the congestion index per area output from the congestion estimation unit 101.

[0016]

The guide path calculation unit 104 calculates a guide path that guides passengers not to pass an area having a higher degree of congestion than a standard state on the basis of a comparison result in the congestion index comparison unit 103. In calculating the guide path, the guide path calculation unit 104 refers to the space information recorded in the space information management unit 105 and grasps the time required to pass an area and the connection relationship between areas travelable to each other.

[0017]

The output unit 106 outputs the notification information by the congestion index comparison unit 103 and information of the guide path by the guide path calculation unit 104.

[0018]

The information output from the output unit 106 is

sent to an information terminal	107	used	by passengers or a
station staff and is notified	to	the	passengers or the
station staff by screen display	or	sound	output.
[0019]

Hereinafter, operations of the units and mutual relationship will be further described.

[0020]

The congestion estimation unit 101 estimates the congestion index indicating the degree of congestion in each time zone for each of the areas obtained by dividing the monitoring target range. The congestion index management unit 102 holds the standard value of the congestion index of each time zone for each area. The congestion index comparison unit 103 generates increase/decrease information indicating increase/decrease in the congestion index with respect to the standard value.

The output unit 106 outputs the notification information according to the increase/decrease information. According to this configuration, the congestion index per area per time zone is compared with the standard value per area per time zone, and the notification information according to increase/decrease in the congestion index with respect to the standard value is output. Therefore, whether a congestion situation in the monitoring target range is normal or abnormal can be properly determined.

[0021]

Note that the congestion index management unit 102 accumulates the congestion index per area per time zone calculated in the congestion estimation unit 101, and calculates the standard value per area per time zone by performing statistical processing for the accumulated congestion indices. The standard value is calculated by the statistical processing for the congestion indices actually measured in the past, and the current congestion index is compared with the standard value. Therefore, how much the current congestion index has been increased/decreased with respect to the past standard state can be used for notification.

[0022]

Further, the congestion index management unit 102 further holds an increase/decrease value that is a predetermined threshold for the increase/decrease information. Then, the congestion index comparison unit

103 compares the increase/decrease information with the increase/decrease threshold in each time zone for each area

The guide path calculation unit 104 calculates the guide path that is a travel path not to pass an area in which the increase/decrease information exceeds the increase/decrease threshold. The output unit 106 outputs the guide path. An area having a higher degree of congestion than normal time has a possibility of occurrence of some abnormality. With the present configuration, the passengers can be guided to avoid such an area.

[0023]

Further, the output unit 106 displays the monitoring target range and the areas inside the monitoring target range on a map, and displays the areas in different manners according to the increase/decrease information. With the display, the comparison result of the congestion index and the standard value of the congestion index can be visually displayed on the map. Therefore, which area has a higher degree of congestion than usual can be visually recognized.

[0024]

In addition, the output unit 106 displays the areas in different colors according to the increase/decrease information. With the display, the comparison result of the congestion index and the standard value is classified and displayed in colors on the map. Therefore, which area has a higher degree of congestion than normal time can be easily recognized according to the classification by colors [0025]

Further, the congestion index management unit 102 may hold a plurality of the increase/decrease thresholds per time zine for each area. In that case, the congestion index comparison unit 103 compares the increase/decrease information with the plurality of increase/decrease thresholds per area per time zone. The output unit 106 gives the degree of congestion increase/decrease in a plurality of stages to each area, and displays the degree of congestion increase/decrease of each area, on the basis of the comparison result of the increase/decrease information and the plurality of increase/decrease thresholds per area per time zone. According to the configuration, the degree of increase/decrease in the congestion index with respect to the standard value is output for each area in the plurality of stages. Therefore, which area has a higher degree of congestion than usual can be grasped for each area.

[0026]

Further, the output unit 106 sorts the areas according to increase/decrease in the congestion index with respect to the standard value and outputs a sorting result.

With the sorting, the areas are displayed in descending order of a higher degree of congestion than usual.

Therefore, an area having a high priority to carry out remedial measures against congestion can be grasped.

[0027]

Note that the time zone referred here may be not only a time zone classified within a day but also a day classified according to a difference in day of week or a type of date such as a weekday or a weekend. Since the congestion situation differs at normal time according to the day of week or the type of day, an area in a different congestion situation from normal time can be detected with higher accuracy.

[0028]

Further, the congestion index comparison unit 103 further compares the congestion index per area per time zone with a common congestion threshold that is a common threshold to the congestion index in time zones and areas, [0029]

The output unit 106 may output predetermined notification information for an area in which the increase/decrease information exceeds the increase/decrease threshold, and the congestion index exceeds the common congestion threshold. With the configuration, which area has both a high congestion index and a high degree of increase in the congestion index can be grasped.

[0030]

Further, the guide path calculation unit 104 sets in advance a normal-time time required for passage that is a time required to pass each area at normal time and an abnormal-time time required for passage that is a time required to pass each area when the increase/decrease information exceeds the increase/decrease threshold. When there is a path that requires a shorter time for travel than a normal-time path that is a path supposed to be used at normal time, as a travel path between two areas, the guide path calculation unit 104 may set the path as a guide path. According to this configuration, the passengers can be guided not to pass an area having a large increase in the congestion index and to the guide path that the passengers can pass through in a shorter time than the path at normal time.

[0031]

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0032] <Description of Data>

FIG. 2 is a table illustrating an example of congestion indices accumulated in the congestion index management unit. In congestion index information 200a illustrated in FIG. 2, an area section 201a indicates each of the areas, and a time zone section 202a indicates times representing the target time zone. For example, 20% of a congestion index 203a indicates that the congestion index at a position A401 at the time 9:00 is 20%. Here, the congestion index is expressed by a ratio of the degree of congestion expressed by the number of passengers per area to a predetermined degree of congestion corresponding to

100% .

[0033]

Note that the time zone section 202a may be expressed by a period instead of the time in such a manner that the congestion index for a certain period is a predetermined value .

[0034]

Further, for example, the congestion estimation unit

101 may output a calculated congestion index of a target time, and the congestion index management unit 102 may sequentially add the congestion index to a database one record at a time in the format illustrated in FIG. 2.

Alternatively, the congestion estimation unit 101 may output congestion index information in the format illustrated in FIG. 2, and the congestion index management unit 102 may record the received congestion index information to the database.

[0035]

FIG. 3 is a table illustrating an example of standard values of the congestion indices calculated in the congestion index management unit. The standard values in

FIG. 3 may be in the same format as the congestion indices in FIG. 2. For example, an average value in a past predetermined period may be recorded in the table of FIG. 3 as the standard value used by the congestion index comparison unit 103. In congestion index information 200b illustrated in FIG. 3, an area section 201b indicates each of the areas, and a time zone section 202b indicates times representing the target time zone. For example, 15% of a standard value 203b of the congestion index indicates that the standard value of the congestion index at the position

A401 at the time 9:00 is 15%.

[0036]

FIG. 4 is a table illustrating an example of increase/decrease information indicating increase/decrease of the congestion indices with respect to the standard values. In increase/decrease information 300, an area section 301 indicates each of the areas, and a time zone section 302 indicates times representing the target time zone. For example, +5% in the increase/decrease information 303 indicates that the increase/decrease in the congestion index 203a at the position 401 at the time 9:00 detected in real time with respect to the standard value

203b is an increase by +5%. The increase/decrease information is an increase/decrease ratio of the congestion index detected in real time with respect to the congestion index of the statistical information. Alternatively, the increase/decrease information may be a difference in each area .

[0037]

FIG. 5 is a table illustrating an example of results of determination as to whether the congestion status of each area falls within a normal range on the basis of the increase/decrease information of the congestion index illustrated in FIG. 4. Here, when the congestion index falls within a range of ±20% of the standard value, the congestion status is determined to be normal. That is, the congestion status is normal when the increase/decrease information falls within the range of ±20%.

[0038]

For example, normal in a determination result 503 indicates that the area of the position A401 (501) at the time 9:00 (502) is determined to be in a normal congestion situation. Abnormal of a determination result 504 indicates that it is determined that the area of a position

A404 (505) at the time 9:00 (502) is determined to be in an abnormal congestion situation.

[0039]

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of position information of the areas in the monitoring target range included in the space information on a map. The position A404 indicates an area around a ticket gate, positions A405 and A413 indicates areas of a concourse after entry of the ticket gate, positions A406 and A410 indicates areas of stairs, positions A407, A408, A409, A411, and A412 indicates areas of a platform, and positions A401,

A402, A403, and A414 indicate areas outside the ticket gate, respectively.

[0040]

FIG. 7 is a table illustrating an example of information indicating connection and travel time between areas in the monitoring target range included in the space information. In information 600 in FIG. 7, 5 seconds in

603 indicates that the area A401 in 602 is connected to the area A402 in 601, and the travel time between the areas

A401 and A402 is 5 seconds, for example. in 605 indicates that direct travel from the area A401 in 602 to the area A403 in 604 without going through another area is not available.

[0041]

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of connection information between areas in the monitoring target range included in the space information by network on a map. Corresponding vertex nodes N401 to N414 are set to the areas from the position A401 to the position A414.

Connection between the vertex nodes is set to be matched with the information 600 of between areas. A path between two nodes connected with a side means that the passengers are travelable.

[0042] <Details of Units>

The congestion estimation unit 101 will be described.

[0043]

In each area, a sensor is installed so that people passing through a boundary of the area, that is, a doorway can be observed. The congestion estimation unit 101 sets each area as an observation target, and measures the number of inflow people and the number of outflow people observed by the sensor at the doorway of the area as the observation target. Then, the congestion estimation unit 101 holds in advance area area information indicating an area of each area, and calculates the density of the passengers in each area on the basis of information of the number of inflow people, the number of outflow people, or both of the numbers of inflow and outflow people at the doorway of the area and the area area information. The density of passengers in each area is the congestion index.

[0044]

As another example, in a case where people passing through the boundaries of all the areas cannot be observed, the congestion estimation unit 101 may estimate the density of the passengers in each area included in an observable space where passage of the people can be observed and use an obtained estimated value as the congestion index of each area. In that case, the congestion estimation unit 101 measures the number of inflow people and the number of outflow people at the doorway as the boundary of the observable space. Then, the congestion estimation unit 101 holds branch information indicating a branching ratio indicating a ratio of destination outlets for each doorway in the observable space, estimates the flow of people in each area in the observable space on the basis of the number of inflow people and the branch information, and calculates the density of passengers in each area. Further, the congestion estimation unit 101 estimates the number of outflow people at each doorway on the basis of the number of inflow people and the branch information in the observable space. Then, the congestion estimation unit 101 compares the estimated number of outflow people and the measured number of outflow people, evaluates the estimation accuracy on the basis of a comparison result, and updates the branch information.

[0045]

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the congestion estimation unit

according	to	the	another	example. The congestion
estimation	unit	101	includes	a people count unit 1011, a
recording	unit	1012,	a movement estimation unit 1013, an
evaluation	unit	1014	, and a	congestion index calculation
unit 1015.
[0046]

The people count unit 1101 sets the observable space as a target space, sets a boundary connecting the target space to an outside of the target space as the doorway, and measures the number of inflow people and the number of outflow people at the doorway to the target space.

[0047]

The recording unit 1102 records target space information including inflow people information indicating the number of passing people from the doorway to a direction flowing into the space to be observed, outflow people information indicating the number of passing people from the doorway to a direction flowing out to the outside of the target space, and travel time information indicating the target space, the doorway of the target space, and a time required for travel between doorways, the branch information indicating the branching ratio indicating a ratio of outlets at destinations for each doorway in the observable space, and evaluation result information indicating an evaluation result of appropriateness of the estimation in association with the estimation result.

[0048]

The movement estimation unit 1013 estimates OD information indicating movement between doorways, and estimates movement of people between doorways, using the measured inflow people information, the space information, and the branch information as inputs.

[0049]

The evaluation unit 1014 compares the outflow people information estimated in the movement estimation unit 1103 with the outflow people information acquired from the recording unit 1012, evaluates appropriateness of estimation processing by the movement estimation unit 1013 on the basis of a comparison result, outputs an appropriateness evaluation result and the estimation result to the recording unit 1012, and updates the branch information.

[0050]

The congestion index calculation unit 1015 calculates the congestion index of each area specified in advance in the target space on the basis of the estimation result of movement of the people between doorways by the movement estimation unit 1013. For example, the congestion index calculation unit 1015 calculates an average number of dwelling people per area and the number of passing people per unit time, for each area, and outputs the average number of dwelling people and the number of passing people as the congestion indices of the area.

[0051]

For example, in the estimation processing in the movement estimation unit 1013, position information of a pedestrian agent is successively updated as needed on the basis of the OD information. Then, the congestion index calculation unit 1015 calculates average number of dwelling people per area and the number of passing people per unit time for each area specified in advance on the basis of the position information of the pedestrian agent.

[0052]

The description of the congestion estimation unit 101 is done.

[0053]

Next, the congestion index comparison unit 103 will be described.

[0054]

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the congestion index comparison unit. First, in step S1001, the congestion index comparison unit 103 acquires the congestion index of each area at time t output from the congestion estimation unit 101. Next, in step S1002, the congestion index comparison unit 103 acquires the standard value corresponding to the congestion index acguired in step S1001 from the congestion index management unit 102.

At this time, the congestion index comparison unit 103 may just acquire the standard value of the congestion index of each area at the time t or in a time zone including the time t.

[0055]

Further, in step S1003, the congestion index comparison unit 103 compares the congestion index acquired in step S1001 with the standard value of the congestion index acquired in step S1002, and generates the increase/decrease information indicating increase/decrease in the congestion index with respect to the standard value.

Here, as an example, the increase/decrease information indicates but is not limited to the difference between the congestion index and the standard value. As another example, an increase rate of the congestion index with respect to the statistical information may be used as the increase/decrease information. Further, in step S1004, the congestion index comparison unit 103 outputs congestion information generated in step S1003.

[0056]

The description of the congestion index comparison unit 103 is done.

[0057]

Next, processing of the guide path calculation unit

104 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the guide path calculation unit. First, in step S2001, the guide path calculation unit 104 obtains the information indicating the position of each area and connection between areas from the database of the space information management unit 105. Next, in step S2002, the guide path calculation unit 104 obtains the increase/decrease information of the time t output from the congestion index comparison unit 103. In step S2003, the guide path calculation unit 104 allocates the obtained increase/decrease information to each area in the information obtained from the database of the space information management unit 105.

[0058]

Further, in step S2004, the guide path calculation unit 104 searches for a path between arbitrary two areas (nodes) in a network constructed by the information of the positions and connection of areas and having each area as a node, and calculates the guide path avoiding an area indicating an abnormal congestion situation. At that time, the guide path calculation unit 104 searches for the path between arbitrary two areas (nodes) by weighting the increase/decrease information of the congestion index allocated to each area with the travel time between nodes.

For example, Dijkstra's algorithm or A * algorithm known as a well-known path search method is used for the search for the path. Since the increase/decrease information of the congestion index is taken into consideration, a path bypassing an area where the congestion index is increased with respect to the standard value can be obtained as a search result. In step S2005, the guide path calculation unit 104 outputs the path calculated in step S2004, and causes the information terminal 107 to display the path.

[0059]

Next, path information calculated by the abovedescribed processing of the guide path calculation unit 104 will be described.

[0060]

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of path information in a case where the congestion index of each area does not have an increase exceeding a threshold. The path information output from the guide path calculation unit 104 is illustrated by the bold arrows in FIG. 12. As illustrated in FIG. 6, if the congestion index of each area does not have an increase exceeding the increase/decrease threshold, a shortest path has a shortest time required for passage. The example of FIG. 12 illustrates a path with the minimum cost when traveling from the node N407 (corresponding area A407) at an end of the platform to the node N414 (corresponding area A414) at the exit of the station outside the ticket gate. The cost of travel between nodes is, for example, the time required to travel between the nodes. As can be seen from FIG. 12, the path with the shortest distance is the path with the lowest cost (the shortest time required).

[0061]

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a position and a congestion state of each area in the monitoring target range. In FIG. 13, the thin hatched area is an area of a normal congestion situation in which the increase/decrease information of the congestion index is equal to or less than the increase/decrease threshold. The dark hatched area is an area of an abnormal congestion situation in which the increase/decrease information of the congestion index exceeds the increase/decrease threshold. Here, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the increase in the congestion index exceeds the increase/decrease threshold in some areas

A404, A405, A406, A408, and A413.

[0062]

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the path information in a case where an increase in the congestion index of a part of areas exceeds the increase/decrease threshold. As illustrated in FIG. 13, in a case where the increase in the congestion index of a part of areas exceeds the increase/decrease threshold, the path information output from the guide path calculation unit 104 is the path with the minimum cost in the situation. The path with the lowest cost is, for example, a path estimated to have the shortest time required.

[0063]

The path illustrated by the bold arrows in FIG. 14 is a path traveling from a start point of the node N407 at an end of the platform to an end point of the exit N414 of the station outside the ticket gate, similarly to the path in

FIG. 12. However, the increase in the congestion index of the node N406 in the stair, the node N405 on the floor above the stairs, and the node N404 in the ticket gate on the path in FIG. 12 exceeds the increase/decrease threshold

When the congestion index is increased by more than the standard value in this way, the cost of travel between nodes is increased with the increase. Here, as a simple example, assume that the cost required for travel between nodes in a normal congestion situation is constant. Then, the cost of travel in a certain path at normal time is expressed by the number of nodes on the path. In addition, here, the cost for the node in which the increase in the congestion index exceeds the increase/decrease threshold as abnormal time is set to five times the normal time.

[0064]

In FIG. 12, eight vertices (nodes) of N407, N408,

N406, N405, N404, N402, N401, and N414 are included on the path from the node N407 to the node N414 indicated by the bold arrows. If the increase in the congestion index at all the nodes on the path is less than or equal to the increase/decrease threshold, the cost of travel of the path is 8. However, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the increase in the congestion index exceeds the increase/decrease threshold at four vertex nodes out of the eight vertices.

Therefore, the cost of travel of the path from the node

N407 to the node N414 is 24.

[0065]

Meanwhile, in FIG. 14, fourteen vertices N407, N408,

N409, N411, N412, N415, N416, N417, N418, N419, N403, N402,

N401, and N414 are included on the path from the node N407 to N414 illustrated by the bold arrows. The increase in the congestion index exceeds the increase/decrease threshold at one vertex node out of the fourteen vertices.

Therefore, the cost of travel of the path from the node

N407 to the node N414 is 18.

[0066]

In this way, the guide path calculation unit 104 searches for the path with the lowest cost according to the state of each area, and outputs information of the obtained path. The known Dijkstra algorithm or the like can be used as the method for the search for the path.

[0067]

Next, processing of the output unit 106 will be described.

[0068]

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the output unit. First, in step S3001, the output unit 106 acquires the information of the position and connection of each area from the database of the space information management unit 105. Next, in step S3002, the output unit

106 acquires the increase/decrease information indicating the increase/decrease in the congestion index of each area at the time t output from the congestion index comparison unit 103. Next, in step S3003, the output unit 106 allocates the acquired increase/decrease information of the congestion index of each area at the time t to each area in the information acquired from the space information management unit 105.

[0069]

Next, in step S3004, the output unit 106 determines whether the congestion situation of each area is normal or abnormal by comparing the increase/decrease information of the congestion index allocated to each area in step S3003 with the predetermined increase/decrease threshold for determining whether the increase in the congestion index is normal or abnormal.

[0070]

Further, in step S3005, the output unit 106 updates display content information such that display content of each area accords with the normal/abnormality of the congestion situation determined in step S3004, and outputs the display content information to the information terminal

107. Further, when acquiring the path information from the guide path calculation unit 104, the output unit 106 outputs the path information to the information terminal

107 as well. The display content of each area includes display of the congestion situation in display color of each area, or display of an icon indicating the congestion situation on or near the display of the area.

[0071]

Note that, here, the increase/decrease information of the congestion index has been compared with one increase/decrease threshold. However, the embodiment is not limited to the case. The increase/decrease information of the congestion index allocated to each area may be compared with a plurality of increase/decrease thresholds set to each area, the degree of abnormality of congestion may be determined, and information indicating the degree of abnormality of the congestion situation or display content representing the degree of abnormality of the congestion situation may be output. With the configuration, a map in which the areas are classified in colors according to the congestion situation is displayed on the screen of the information terminal 107, for example.

[0072]

Further, the output unit 106 may output, to the information terminal 107, information prompting implementation of congestion mitigation measures for an area having a large increase in the congestion index allocated to each area. In the information terminal 107, the area for which the congestion mitigation measures should be implemented is displayed on the screen. At that time, if there is a plurality of areas for which the congestion mitigation measures should be implemented, the output unit 106 may give priority of implementation of the congestion mitigation measures to the plurality of areas.

The order of priority may be determined according to the increase/decrease information of the congestion index allocated to each area.

[0073]

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a of an area for which congestion mitigation be implemented in the information terminal that the increase/decrease information of index is higher in order of the area A404, display example measures are to

Here, assume the congestion the area A408, and the area A420, and therefore priorities 1, 2, and 3 are given to the area A404, the area A408, and the area A420, respectively. In FIG. 16, as the priority, a first priority is given to the area A404 and an icon 701 of first priority is displayed. A second priority is given to the area A408, and an icon 702 of second priority is displayed. A third priority is given to the area A420 and an icon 703 of third priority is displayed.

[0074]

The description of the output unit 106 is done.

[0075]

Note that, in the present embodiment, the example in which the information to be notified to the passengers and the station staff is visually displayed on the screen of the information terminal 107 has been described. However, the embodiment is not limited to the example. As another example, information as to whether the congestion situation of each area is normal or abnormal may be notified to the passengers or the station staff by sound.

[0076] <Function and Effect>

According to the present embodiment, the standard value of the congestion index per time zone is provided for each of areas obtained by dividing the monitoring target range into a plurality of areas, and the standard value and the congestion index are compared in each area. Therefore, whether the congestion situation falls within a normal range can be determined rather than whether the area is simply congested. By use of the configuration, an area where abnormal congestion is occurring can be notified, for example, and in particular, in a station that is congested on a daily basis, an area that preferentially requires the congestion mitigation measures can be promptly grasped.

[0077]

Further, whether the congestion situation is normal or abnormal is determined using the standard value calculated by the statistical processing for the congestion index measured in the past. Therefore, a sign of change can be easily detected from the past congestion situation.

[0078]

In addition, the area in a normal congestion situation and the area in an abnormal congestion situation are grasped and the guide path avoiding the area indicating the abnormal congestion is calculated. Therefore, the passengers can be guided to the path avoiding the area indicating the abnormal congestion.

[0079]

The present embodiments have been described but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can implement the present invention in various other modes without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Reference Signs List [0080]

100 congestion monitoring device

101 congestion estimation unit

1011 people count unit

1012 recording unit

1013 movement estimation unit

1014 evaluation unit

1015 congestion index calculation unit

102 congestion index management unit

103 congestion index comparison unit

104 guide path calculation unit

105 space information management unit

106 output unit

107 information terminal

1101 people count unit

1102 recording unit

1103 movement estimation unit

200a congestion index information

200b congestion index information

201a area section

201b area section time zone section time zone section congestion index standard value increase/decrease information area section time zone section increase/decrease information icon icon icon

Claims

CLAIMS [Claim 1]

A congestion monitoring device for monitoring congestion of passengers in a monitoring target range, the congestion monitoring device comprising:

a congestion estimation unit configured to estimate a congestion index indicating the degree of congestion in each time zone for each of areas obtained by dividing the monitoring target range;

a congestion index management unit configured to hold a standard value of the congestion index per time zone for each area;

a congestion index comparison unit configured to generate increase/decrease information indicating increase/decrease in the congestion index with respect to the standard value; and an output unit configured to output notification information according to the increase/decrease information.
[Claim 2]

The congestion monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the congestion index management unit accumulates the congestion index per area per time zone calculated in the congestion estimation unit, and calculates the standard value per area per time zone by performing statistical processing for the accumulated congestion indices.
[Claim 3]

The congestion monitoring device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a guide path calculation unit, wherein the congestion index management unit holds an increase/decrease threshold that is a predetermined threshold about the increase/decrease information, the congestion index comparison unit compares the increase/decrease information with the increase/decrease threshold in each time zone for each area, the guide path calculation unit calculates a guide path that is a travel path that does not pass an area where the increase/decrease information exceeds the increase/decrease threshold, and the output unit outputs the guide path.
[Claim 4]

The congestion monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit displays the monitoring target range and the each of areas inside the monitoring target range on a map, and displays the each of areas in different manners according to the increase/decrease information.
[Claim 5]

The congestion monitoring device according to claim 4, wherein the output unit displays the each of areas in different colors according to the increase/decrease information.
[Claim 6]

The congestion monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the congestion index management unit holds a plurality of increase/decrease thresholds per time zone for each area, the congestion index comparison unit compares the increase/decrease information with the plurality of increase/decrease thresholds per area per time zone, and the output unit gives the degree of congestion increase/decrease in a plurality of stages to the each area, and displays the degree of congestion increase/decrease of the each area, on the basis of a comparison result of the increase/decrease information with the plurality of increase/decrease thresholds per area per time zone.
[Claim 7]

The congestion monitoring device according to claim 6, wherein the output unit sorts the each area according to increase/decrease in the congestion index with respect to the standard value and outputs a sorting result.
[Claim 8]

The congestion monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the time zone is a time zone classified by means of a difference in day of a week or a type of date.
[Claim 9]

The congestion monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the congestion index management unit holds an increase/decrease threshold that is a predetermined threshold about the increase/decrease information, the congestion index comparison unit further compares the congestion index per area per time zone with a common congestion threshold that is a common threshold to the congestion index in time zones and areas, and the output unit outputs predetermined notification information about an area in which the increase/decrease information exceeds the increase/decrease threshold, and the congestion index exceeds the common congestion threshold.
[Claim 10]

The congestion monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein the guide path calculation unit sets in advance a normal-time time required for passage that is a time required to pass each area at normal time and an abnormaltime time required for passage that is a time required to pass each area when the increase/decrease information exceeds the increase/decrease threshold, and sets a path that requires a shorter time for travel than a normal-time path that is a path supposed to be used at normal time as a travel path between two areas as the guide path.
[Claim 11]

A congestion monitoring method for monitoring congestion of passengers in a monitoring target range, the congestion monitoring method comprising:

estimating, by congestion estimation means, a congestion index indicating the degree of congestion in each time zone for each of areas obtained by dividing the monitoring target range;

holding, by congestion index management means, a standard value of the congestion index per time zone for each area;

generating, by congestion index comparison means, increase/decrease information indicating increase/decrease in the congestion index with respect to the standard value;

and outputting, by output means, notification information according to the increase/decrease information.
[Claim 12]

A congestion monitoring program executed by a computer to monitor congestion of passengers in a monitoring target range, the program for causing the computer to execute:

a procedure of estimating a congestion index indicating the degree of congestion in each time zone for each of areas obtained by dividing the monitoring target range;

a procedure of holding a standard value of the congestion index per time zone for each area;

a procedure of generating increase/decrease information indicating increase/decrease in the congestion index with respect to the standard value; and a procedure of outputting notification information according to the increase/decrease information.