JP2023005066A - Small transport system and management system - Google Patents

Abstract

To allow a plurality of different transportation systems to share a driving area without using a central controller that collectively manages their respective driving conditions.SOLUTION: If a PRT vehicle is determined to be in need for traveling any section, a processor specifies the section that the PRT vehicle is scheduled to travel and demands that the railroad management device lease the right to use the specified section. If the right to use the specified section is determined to have been leased, the processor allows the PRT vehicle to enter the specified section. If the PRT vehicle is determined to have left the specified section, the processor prohibits all PRT vehicles from entering the specified section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to the technology of small transport systems and management systems.

When a plurality of different transportation systems, such as railways and buses, share a driving area, mechanisms are being studied to prevent the transportation systems from colliding with each other.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a control device that allows railway vehicles and vehicles with rubber tire systems to run exclusively on tracks.

Patent Literature 2 discloses a roadside control device that instructs whether or not a vehicle such as a bus, which does not have a blocking function, can enter a railroad track.

Patent No. 4393960 JP 2007-87245 A

In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the exclusive use of roads by railways and rubber tire system vehicles is performed by a central control device, so it is difficult to develop each traffic system individually.
The technique described in Patent Literature 2 instructs the driver of the vehicle whether or not the vehicle can enter, so ground facilities such as a gate and display are required, and the initial cost is high.

One of the objects of the present invention is to allow a plurality of different traffic systems to share a driving area without using a central controller to collectively manage their respective driving conditions.

In the present invention, a management system that manages a track is requested to lend the right to use a portion of the track, and when the right to use is lent by the management system, the vehicle is permitted to enter the portion of the track. and returning the right of use to the management system when the vehicle leaves the partial section.

According to the small transportation system of the first aspect, there is no need for a central control unit that collectively manages the running states of the vehicles managed by the own system and the vehicles managed by the management system and sharing the track.

In the small transportation system of the first aspect, when the right of use is lent, the plurality of vehicles are caused to platoon in the partial section, and when all of the plurality of vehicles have left the partial section, the A configuration in which the usage right is returned to the management system may be adopted as a second aspect.

According to the small transportation system of the second aspect, when a plurality of vehicles managed by the own system travels a part of the section, it becomes easier to manage them than when they are not platooned.

In the small transportation system according to the first aspect, the vehicle leaves the partial section, and the usage right is returned to the management system when the partial section is restored to the state before lending. may be adopted as the third aspect.

According to the small transportation system of the third aspect, when the usage right is returned, the state of the track is restored to the state when the usage right was lent.

In the small transportation system according to any one of the first to third aspects, if the lent usage right has a time limit and the usage right cannot be returned by the time limit, the management system is notified to that effect. , may be employed as a fourth aspect.

According to the fourth aspect of the small transportation system, the management system that rents the track is notified that the usage right has expired or is expected to expire.

The present invention is a management system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the vehicle is under management until the right of use is returned after lending the right of use to the small transportation system. A management system that prohibits entry into the partial section of is provided as a fifth aspect.

According to the management system of the fifth aspect, it is possible to prevent vehicles under management of the own system from coming into contact with vehicles managed by the small transportation system.

In the management system of the fifth aspect, when it is necessary to run a vehicle under management in the partial section for which the right of use has not been returned, the small transport system is requested to return the right of use. A configuration may be employed as a sixth aspect.

According to the management system of the sixth aspect, it is possible to request the return of the right to use the partial section of the track when it is necessary to run the vehicle under management.

In the management system according to the fifth or sixth aspect, if there is a time limit for the right of use that has not been returned and if the right of use has not been returned by the time limit, the right of use is returned to the small transport system. A configuration of requesting may be adopted as a seventh aspect.

According to the management system of the seventh aspect, it is possible to request the return of the usage right whose return term has expired.

The figure which shows the example of the whole structure of the management system 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the small transportation system 2. FIG. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the railway management apparatus 11. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of operations of the railway management device 11; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of operations of the compact transport management device 21; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of operation for confirming restoration of the state of a specified section; The figure which shows the example of the flow of the operation|movement which notifies that the usage right cannot be returned by the time limit.

<Embodiment>
<Overall configuration of management system and small transportation system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a management system 1 and a small transportation system 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A management system 1 and a small transportation system 2 are communicably connected by a communication line 3 .

The management system 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a railway vehicle 10, a railway management device 11, railway stations 12a and 12b, a track 13, traffic signals 14a and 14b, and railroad crossings 15a and 15b.

The track 13 is a road made up of rails, sleepers, ballasts, and the like. The railcar 10 is a vehicle that can run only on the track 13 . Railway stations 12a, 12b (referred to as "railway stations 12" when not distinguished) are locations or structures located along the track 13 where railway vehicles 10 stop and board and disembark passengers.

Signals 14a and 14b (referred to as "signals 14" when not distinguished) are provided at least at one end of a section included in the track 13, and allow the driver of the railway vehicle 10 to decide whether or not the railway vehicle 10 should enter that section. etc. Indications of the traffic light 14 include, for example, progress, caution, etc., in addition to stop. The signal 14 is controlled by the railway management device 11 . The traffic lights 14a and 14b shown in FIG. 1 are provided at both ends of a section R, which is a partial section (referred to as a partial section) of the track 13 . In this case, the railway vehicle 10 cannot enter the section R when the signals 14a and 14b indicate the stop state.

Railroad crossings 15a and 15b (referred to as "railroad crossing 15" when not distinguished) are provided at points where the track 13 intersects a general road at grade, and block the road when the railway vehicle 10 passes through the point. Equipped with a warning device and the like to warn drivers and pedestrians of cars passing through the road. The railroad crossing 15 is controlled by the railway management device 11 .

The railway management device 11 is a device that controls the traffic signal 14 and the railroad crossing 15 described above, and is, for example, a computer. The railway management device 11 is communicably connected to the small transportation management device 21 of the small transportation system 2 via the communication line 3 . A communication line 3 is a communication line for parallel communication.

The communication line 3 may be a communication line for serial communication. In this case, the communication line 3 may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, or a combination thereof. Also, the communication line 3 may include a public switched telephone network (PSTN), an integrated services digital network (ISDN), or the like.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the railway management device 11. As shown in FIG. The railway management device 11 shown in FIG. 2 has a processor 111 , a memory 112 and an interface 113 . These structures are communicatively connected to each other, for example by a bus.

Processor 111 controls each part of railway management device 11 by reading and executing a computer program (hereinafter simply referred to as a program) stored in memory 112 . The processor 111 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

The memory 112 is storage means for storing an operating system, various programs, data, etc. to be read by the processor 111 . The memory 112 has RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). Note that memory 112 may include a solid state drive, hard disk drive, or the like.

The interface 113 is a communication circuit that communicably connects the railway management device 11 to another device by wire or wirelessly. The interface 113 shown in FIG. 2 connects the railway management device 11 to the small transportation management device 21 via the communication line 3 as shown in FIG.

The railway management device 11 has operating elements such as operation buttons, a keyboard, a touch panel, and a mouse for giving various instructions, and has an operation unit that receives operations and sends signals corresponding to the operation contents to the processor 111. You may The railway management device 11 may also have a display screen such as a liquid crystal display for displaying images under the control of the processor 111 .

The small transport system 2 shown in FIG. Here, "PRT" is an abbreviation for Personal Rapid Transit, which is a type of small-sized transportation, and indicates a means of transportation used by individuals or small groups of about five people to move.

The PRT track 23 is a track that includes a section of the track 13 . The PRT vehicle 20 is a vehicle that runs on the PRT road 23, and is a vehicle that runs on the PRT road 23 with rubber tires, for example. The PRT vehicle 20 is connected wirelessly or by wire to the small transportation management device 21, and responds to control signals from the small transportation management device 21 and detection signals from sensors (not shown) provided therein. , autonomous driving. Since the PRT vehicle 20 is automatically driven, it does not require a driver and does not require a display or a gate to alert the driver.

In addition, the PRT vehicle 20 identifies the position of its own device based on the integrated value of running speed, signals from a satellite positioning system, etc., and, for example, at predetermined intervals or when any trigger occurs, The position may be notified to the management device 21 . Further, the operation time of the PRT vehicle 20 may be determined in advance, or may be determined according to a user's request (referred to as demand operation).

The PRT vehicle 20 may be a vehicle that runs only on rails, but it is a so-called dual mode vehicle configured to run on both tracks for trains and the like and roads for cars and the like. A vehicle (Dual Mode Vehicle, DMV) may also be used.

Platforms 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, and 22e (referred to as "platforms 22" when not distinguished) are arranged along the PRT travel road 23 and are places where the PRT vehicles 20 stop to board and disembark passengers, or are built. It is a thing. The boarding area 22 may have platform door openings corresponding to the doors of the PRT vehicle 20 .

The small transportation management device 21 remotely operates the PRT vehicle 20 and also exchanges information with the railway management device 11 via the communication line 3 to manage the operation of the PRT vehicle 20 . The small transport management device 21 is, for example, a computer. The compact transportation management device 21 designates one of the partial sections included in the track 13 and requests the railroad management apparatus 11 for the right to use the designated partial section (also referred to as the designated section). Then, when the requested usage right is lent from the railway management device 11 via the communication line 3, the PRT vehicle 20 is permitted to enter the designated section.

The compact transport management device 21 shown in FIG. 1 has a processor 211 , a memory 212 and an interface 213 . Since the processor 211, the memory 212, and the interface 213 have the same configuration as the processor 111, the memory 212, and the interface 113, respectively, illustration and description are omitted.

<Operation of railway management device>
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the operation flow of the railway management device 11. As shown in FIG. The processor 111 of the railroad management device 11 determines whether or not the small transport management device 21 has requested the right to use the specified section (step S101).

While determining that the right to use the designated section is not requested (step S101; NO), the processor 111 continues this determination step. On the other hand, if it is determined that the right to use the specified section has been requested (step S101; YES), the processor 111 refers to the operation status of the railcar 10 to see if the right to use the specified section can be lent. It is determined whether or not (step S102).

For example, in the management system 1 shown in FIG. See 10 operating states. The operation status is, for example, information indicating the current position of the railroad vehicle 10 and an operation schedule of the railroad vehicle 10 stored in the memory 112 . Then, the processor 111, for example, confirms that the railway vehicle 10 does not exist in the section R, and furthermore, based on the operation schedule, whether a driving interval equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, such as 15 minutes, can be used from the present time. determine whether or not When it is determined that there is no railway vehicle 10 in the section R and that the determined driving distance is available when the request for lending the right to use the section R is made, the processor 111 can lend the right to use the section. It is determined that

While the processor 111 determines that it is not possible to lend the right to use the specified section (step S102; NO), the processor 111 continues this determination step. On the other hand, if it is determined that the right to use the specified section can be lent (step S102; YES), the processor 111 stops the traffic lights 14 at both ends of the specified section (step S103).

The traffic signal 14 that has been set to the stop indication in step S103 is subject to a restriction (also referred to as indication restriction) that the indication cannot be changed. As a result, the right of use is lent, and the railway side treats the specified section as track closed for the period during which the PRT vehicle 20 is in operation.

Then, the processor 111 lends the right to use the specified section to the compact transportation management device 21 (step S104). This lending is accomplished by, for example, the processor 111 transmitting a signal indicating the right of use to the small transport management device 21 via the interface 113 and the communication line 3 .

After lending the right of use, the processor 111 determines whether or not the right of use of the designated section described above has been returned from the compact transportation management device 21 (step S105).

While determining that the right to use the specified section has not been returned (step S105; NO), the processor 111 continues this determination step. On the other hand, if it is determined that the right to use the designated section has been returned (step S105; YES), the display restrictions on the traffic lights 14 at both ends of this designated section are released (step S106). The indications of these traffic lights 14 are thereby placed under the control of the processor 111 .

That is, the management system 1 having this railway management device 11 lends the right to use a section of the track to the small transport system, and until the right to use is returned, the vehicle under its management is This is an example of a management system that prohibits entry into some sections.

After step S106, the processor 111 returns the process to step S101 described above.

<Operation of small transport management device>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of operations of the compact transport management device 21. As shown in FIG. The processor 211 of the small transport management device 21 determines whether or not the PRT vehicle 20 needs to travel in any section included in the track 13 based on the operation information transmitted from the PRT vehicle 20. It judges (step S201).

While it is determined that the PRT vehicle 20 does not need to travel any partial section (step S201; NO), the processor 211 continues this determination step. On the other hand, if it is determined that the PRT vehicle 20 needs to travel in any partial section (step S201; YES), the processor 211 designates the partial section in which the PRT vehicle 20 is scheduled to travel. Then, the railway management device 11 is requested to lend the right to use that section (that is, the designated section) (step S202).

Then, the processor 211 determines whether or not the right to use the specified section has been lent from the railway management device 11 (step S203).

While the processor 211 determines that the right to use the specified section has not been lent (step S203; NO), the processor 211 continues this determination step. On the other hand, when determining that the right to use the designated section has been lent (step S203; YES), the processor 211 permits the PRT vehicle 20 to enter this designated section (step S204).

Incidentally, when the PRT vehicle 20 is permitted to enter the designated section, the railroad crossing 15 existing in the designated section may be placed under the control of the compact transportation management device 21 . In this case, the railroad crossing 15 may be remodeled so that the control is switched according to the transfer of the right of use. Then, when the PRT vehicle 20 passes through the railroad crossing 15, the crossing gate of the railroad crossing 15 is lowered to prevent vehicles from entering from the road.

Also, while the railroad crossing 15 permits the PRT vehicle 20 to enter the designated section, the crossing gate may be raised and a warning to slow down may be presented to the road. In this case, when the PRT vehicle 20 passes through the railroad crossing 15, the compact transportation management device 21 analyzes the image taken by the camera provided on the PRT vehicle 20, detects the object, and passes through the road. The operation of the PRT vehicle 20 may be controlled to avoid contact with automobiles or the like.

Next, the processor 211 determines whether or not the PRT vehicle 20 permitted to enter has left the specified section (step S205).

While determining that the PRT vehicle 20 has not left the designated section (step S205; NO), the processor 211 continues this determination step. On the other hand, when determining that the PRT vehicle 20 has left the designated section (step S205; YES), the processor 211 prohibits all PRT vehicles 20 from entering the designated section (step S206). .

Then, the processor 211 returns the lent right to use the specified section to the railway management device 11 (step S207). This return is made, for example, by the processor 211 transmitting a signal indicating the right of use to the railway management device 11 via the interface 213 and the communication line 3 .

That is, the small-sized transportation system 2 having this small-sized transportation management device 21 requests the management system that manages the track to lend the right to use a section of the track. , a small transport system that permits a vehicle to enter a part of the section and returns the right of use to the management system when the vehicle leaves the part of the section.

After step S207, the processor 211 returns the process to step S201 described above.

By the operation described above, the management system 1 and the small transportation system 2 can mutually control the track 13 without using a central control unit that collectively manages the respective running states of the railway vehicle 10 and the PRT vehicle 20 . It can be shared by exclusively using the partial section as a driving area.

According to these management system 1 and small transportation system 2, for example, railway sections in suburban areas with relatively long distances between stations, such as 3 kilometers or more, and railway sections dedicated to freight, can be grouped into vehicles belonging to both. The railway vehicle 10 and the PRT vehicle 20 can be shared without installing a central control unit that manages them separately. Moreover, according to these systems, it is also possible to reuse an abandoned railroad line for a traffic system in an urban area.

The configurations, shapes, sizes, and arrangement relationships described in the above embodiments are merely schematic representations to the extent that the present invention can be understood and implemented. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but can be modified in various forms without departing from the scope of the technical concept indicated in the claims.

<Modification>
The above is the description of the embodiment, but the content of this embodiment can be modified as follows. Moreover, the following modifications may be combined.

<1>
In the above-described embodiment, no reference is made to the number of PRT vehicles 20 that need to travel a partial section. The usage right may not be returned until all who have entered leave.

Also, when a plurality of PRT vehicles 20 need to travel in one partial section, the processor 211 may control the plurality of PRT vehicles 20 to travel in a row. Here, platooning refers to running the PRT vehicles 20 side by side at predetermined intervals in the traveling direction. As a result, the plurality of PRT vehicles 20 traveling in the partial section do not collide with each other and continue to move in a cohesive position and range, facilitating operation management.

In other words, in this case, the small transportation system 2 equipped with the small transportation management device 21 having the processor 211 causes the plurality of vehicles to run in a row in a section when the usage right is lent, and all of the plurality of vehicles run in the same section. An example is a light transport system that returns usage rights to a management system when exiting a section.

<2>
In the above-described embodiment, the processor 211 determines whether or not the PRT vehicle 20 permitted to enter in step S205 has left the designated section. Although the right to use the section has been returned to the railway management device 11, before returning the right to use the designated section, it is determined whether or not the state of the designated section has been restored to the state before the right to use was lent. may Here, the state of the designated section is, for example, a signal belonging to the designated section, the state of a track branch, or the like. Then, the processor 211 may return the usage right only when it determines that the state of the specified section has been restored to the state before the usage right was granted.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of operation for confirming restoration of the state of the specified section. Steps other than step S205 are the same as those in FIG. 4, so description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 5, when determining that the PRT vehicle 20 has left the specified section (step S205; YES), the processor 211 determines whether the specified section has been restored to the state before lending (step S211). ).

The processor 211 continues this determination step while determining that the specified section has not been restored to the state before lending (step S211; NO). On the other hand, when determining that the specified section has been restored to the state before lending (step S211; YES), the processor 211 advances the process to step S206 shown in FIG. As a result, the processor 211 returns the usage right to the management system 1 when the PRT vehicle 20 leaves the partial section and the partial section is restored to the state before the usage right was granted.

In other words, in this case, in the small transportation system 2 equipped with the small transportation management device 21 having the processor 211, the vehicle leaves the partial section to which the right of use has been lent, and the partial section returns to the state before the vehicle was lent. An example is a small transportation system that returns usage rights to a management system when restored.

As a result, the management system 1 can resume the use of the designated section in the state when the right to use the designated section was lent.

<3>
In the above-described embodiment, the usage right term is not mentioned, but if the usage right has a term limit, the processor 211 may determine whether the usage right can be returned by the term limit. Then, if the right to use cannot be returned by the deadline, the processor 211 may notify the management system 1 to that effect.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of operation for notifying that the right to use cannot be returned by the deadline. Steps other than step S205 are the same as those in FIG. 4, so description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 6, when judging that the PRT vehicle 20 has not left the specified section (step S205; NO), the processor 211 transfers the lent usage right to the management system 1 by the expiration date of the lent usage right. (step S221). This determination is made based on various detection results, such as the position and traveling speed of the PRT vehicle 20 traveling in the designated section, and, if an accident has occurred, the circumstances of the accident.

If it is determined that the usage right can be returned by the deadline (step S221; YES), the processor 211 returns the process to step S205. On the other hand, if it is determined that the usage right cannot be returned by the deadline (step S221; NO), the processor 211 notifies the management system 1 of the fact that the usage right cannot be returned by the deadline (step S222), and proceeds to step S222. Return to S205.

In other words, in this case, the small transport system 2 equipped with the small transport management device 21 having the processor 211 has a time limit for the right to use that has been lent, and if the right to use cannot be returned by the time limit, the small transport system 2 notifies that effect. An example is a small transport system informing a management system.

As a result, the management system 1 can receive a notification to that effect from the small transport system 2 when the lent usage right is not returned or is expected not to be returned.

<4>
In the above-described embodiment, the processor 111 does not request the small transportation system 2 to return the lent usage right, but may request it. For example, the processor 111 lends the right of use to a partial section of the track 13 when a request not scheduled for operation occurs and it becomes necessary to run the railway vehicle 10 on a partial section of the track 13 . If the section exists, a request may be made to the leasing small transportation system 2 to return the usage right.

That is, in this case, the management system 1 equipped with the railway management device 11 having the processor 111, when it is necessary to run a vehicle under management in a section to which the right of use has not been returned, is given the right of use. An example of a management system requesting a return from a small transportation system.

As a result, the management system 1 can request the small transportation system 2 to return the right to use a section of the track 13 as needed to run the railway vehicle 10 under management.

<5>
In the modified example described above, the processor 111 requests the return of the right of use when it becomes necessary to run the railway vehicle 10 on a section of the track 13 for which the right of use is being lent. If the usage right has not been returned by the deadline, the return of the usage right may be requested.

That is, in this case, the management system 1 equipped with the railway management device 11 having the processor 111 has a time limit for the right of use that has not been returned, and if the right of use has not been returned by the time limit, An example is a management system that requests the return of usage rights from a small transportation system.

As a result, the management system 1 can request the small transport system 2 to return the usage right whose return term has expired.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Management system, 10... Railroad vehicle, 11... Railroad management apparatus, 111... Processor, 112... Memory, 113... Interface, 12, 12a, 12b... Railroad station, 13... Track, 14, 14a, 14b... Signal, 15 , 15a, 15b... railroad crossing, 2... small transport system, 20... PRT vehicle, 21... small transport management device, 211... processor, 212... memory, 213... interface, 22, 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e... getting on and off field, 23... PRT running path, 3... communication line.

Claims (7)

requesting a management system that manages a track to lend the right to use a portion of the track, and permitting a vehicle to enter the portion of the track when the management system grants the right to use the portion of the track; a small transport system that returns the right of use to the management system when the user exits from the partial section. When the right of use is lent, the plurality of vehicles are platooned in the partial section,
The small transportation system according to claim 1, wherein the right of use is returned to the management system when all of the plurality of vehicles have left the partial section. 2. The small transportation system according to claim 1, wherein the right of use is returned to the management system when the vehicle leaves the partial section and the partial section is restored to the state before lending. 4. The small transportation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein if the lent right of use has a time limit and the right of use cannot be returned by the time limit, that fact is notified to the management system. 5. The management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein after lending the right of use to the small transportation system, until the right of use is returned, the vehicle under management is A management system that prohibits entry into some sections. 6. The management system according to claim 5, wherein, when it is necessary to drive a vehicle under management in the partial section for which the usage right has not been returned, the small transportation system is requested to return the usage right. 7. The management system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein if there is a time limit for the right of use that has not been returned and if the right of use has not been returned by the time limit, the small transportation system is requested to return the right of use. system.

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