Patent Publication Number: US-2023145366-A1

Title: Operation management apparatus, system, and operation management method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-181516 filed on Nov. 5, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an operation management apparatus, a system, and an operation management method. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Patent Literature (PTL) 1 describes the creation of a vehicle dispatch plan according to vehicle dispatch conditions desired by the user. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     PTL 1: JP 2021-096661 A 
     SUMMARY 
     In PTL 1, the prediction of ride demand by users for vehicles is not at all considered. It is therefore difficult to operate vehicles in response to increases or decreases in ride demand. 
     It would be helpful to facilitate the operation of vehicles in response to increases or decreases in ride demand. 
     An operation management apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a controller configured to acquire performance data indicating a usage record of a plurality of vehicles that travel along a predetermined route, predict, based on the acquired performance data, a ride demand during a time slot in which each vehicle is operated, determine to operate each vehicle as a regularly scheduled vehicle during the time slot in a case in which a resulting first predicted value of the ride demand is higher than a first threshold, determine to operate each vehicle as a non-scheduled vehicle, which is dispatched in response to an individual request from a user, during the time slot in a case in which the first predicted value is equal to or less than the first threshold, acquire status data indicating an existence status of at least one user when each vehicle is operated as a regularly scheduled vehicle during the time slot, predict a ride demand during a remaining time of the time slot based on the acquired status data, and determine to introduce an additional vehicle onto the route for the remaining time in a case in which a resulting second predicted value of the ride demand is higher than a second threshold. 
     An operation management method according to the present disclosure includes: 
     acquiring performance data indicating a usage record of a plurality of vehicles that travel along a predetermined route; 
     predicting, based on the acquired performance data, a ride demand during a time slot in which each vehicle is operated, determining to operate each vehicle as a regularly scheduled vehicle during the time slot in a case in which a resulting first predicted value of the ride demand is higher than a first threshold, and determining to operate each vehicle as a non-scheduled vehicle, which is dispatched in response to an individual request from a user, during the time slot in a case in which the first predicted value is equal to or less than the first threshold; 
     acquiring status data indicating an existence status of at least one user when each vehicle is operated as a regularly scheduled vehicle during the time slot; and 
     predicting a ride demand during a remaining time of the time slot based on the acquired status data and determining to introduce an additional vehicle onto the route for the remaining time in a case in which a resulting second predicted value of the ride demand is higher than a second threshold. 
     According to the present disclosure, operation of vehicles in response to increases or decreases in ride demand is facilitated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the accompanying drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a flowchart illustrating operations of the operation management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a flowchart illustrating operations related to an operation mode table according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a flowchart illustrating the details of a process to acquire status data; 
         FIG.  6    is a diagram illustrating the details of a process to predict ride demand; 
         FIG.  7    is a diagram illustrating an example of creation of the operation mode table; 
         FIG.  8    is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a regular fixed route operation mode; 
         FIG.  9    is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a semi-demand operation mode; 
         FIG.  10    is a diagram illustrating a specific example of an increased service operation mode; and 
         FIG.  11    is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the determination to increase service. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. 
     In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the descriptions of the embodiments, detailed descriptions of the same or corresponding portions are omitted or simplified, as appropriate. 
     An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. 
     A configuration of a system  100  according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG.  1   . 
     The system  100  according to the present embodiment includes an operation management apparatus  10 , a plurality of vehicles B  1 , . . . , BN, a plurality of terminal apparatuses U 1 , . . . , UM, and a plurality of stops P 1 , . . . , PL arranged at a plurality of stopping points. The number of vehicles N, the number of terminal apparatus M, and the number of stops L are integers equal to or greater than  2 . 
     The operation management apparatus  10  can communicate with the plurality of vehicles B 1 , . . . , BN via the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or any combination thereof. The term “WAN” is an abbreviation of wide area network. The term “MAN” is an abbreviation of metropolitan area network. The operation management apparatus  10  can communicate with the plurality of terminal apparatuses U 1 , . . . , UM via the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or any combination thereof. The operation management apparatus  10  can communicate with the plurality of stops P 1 , . . . , PL via the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or any combination thereof. 
     The operation management apparatus  10  is installed in a facility such as a data center. The operation management apparatus  10  is a computer such as a server that belongs to a cloud computing system or another type of computing system. 
     Each vehicle among the plurality of vehicles B 1 , . . . , BN is, for example, any type of automobile such as a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, a hydrogen vehicle, an HEV, a PHEV, a BEV, or an FCEV. The term “HEV” is an abbreviation of hybrid electric vehicle. The term “PHEV” is an abbreviation of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The term “BEV” is an abbreviation of battery electric vehicle. The term “FCEV” is an abbreviation of fuel cell electric vehicle. Each vehicle is an autonomous vehicle in the present embodiment. An autonomous vehicle is a vehicle whose operation is automated at any given level. The automation level is, for example, any one of Level 1 to Level 5 according to the level classification defined by the SAE. The name “SAE” is an abbreviation of Society of Automotive Engineers. All the driving operations of each vehicle may be performed by a driver. Each vehicle may be a MaaS-dedicated vehicle. The term “MaaS” is an abbreviation of Mobility as a Service. Each vehicle includes a first sensor  20 . The first sensor  20  is a camera in the present embodiment but may be any appropriate sensor, such as a pressure sensor, infrared sensor, or visible light sensor, that can detect the presence of an object and provide information on the detected object to the operation management apparatus  10 . 
     Each stop among the plurality of stops P 1 , . . . , PL includes a second sensor  30 . The second sensor  30  is a camera in the present embodiment but may be any sensor, such as a pressure sensor, infrared sensor, or visible light sensor, that can detect the presence of an object and provide information on the detected object to the operation management apparatus  10 . 
     An outline of the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG.  1   . 
     The operation management apparatus  10  acquires performance data D 1  indicating a usage record of the plurality of vehicles B  1 , . . . , BN that travel along a predetermined route. Based on the acquired performance data D 1 , the operation management apparatus  10  predicts the ride demand during a time slot in which each vehicle is operated. The operation management apparatus  10  determines to operate each vehicle as a regularly scheduled vehicle during the time slot in a case in which the resulting first predicted value of the ride demand is higher than a first threshold. In the present embodiment, a regularly scheduled vehicle stops at each stop among the plurality of stops P 1 , . . . , PL according to a predetermined schedule. The mode of operation in which each vehicle is operated as a regularly scheduled vehicle is called a “regular fixed route operation mode M 1 ”. The operation management apparatus  10  determines to operate each vehicle as a non-scheduled vehicle, which is dispatched in response to an individual request from a user, during the time slot in a case in which the first predicted value is equal to or less than the first threshold. In the present embodiment, non-scheduled vehicles stop at a stop designated by the user among the stops P 1 , . . . , PL at a time designated by the user. The mode of operation in which each vehicle is operated as a non-scheduled vehicle is called a “semi-demand operation mode M 2 ”. The operation management apparatus  10  acquires status data D 2  indicating the existence status of at least one user when each vehicle is operated as a regularly scheduled vehicle during the time slot. In the present embodiment, the status data D 2  is data indicating the status of at least one user in relation to each vehicle as the existence status of the user, i.e., whether at least one user is on-board the vehicle or waiting at one of the stops. Based on the acquired status data D 2 , the operation management apparatus  10  predicts the ride demand during the remaining time of the time slot. The operation management apparatus  10  determines to introduce an additional vehicle onto the route for the remaining time in a case in which the resulting second predicted value of the ride demand is higher than a second threshold. The additional vehicle is, for example, any type of automobile such as a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, a hydrogen vehicle, an HEV, a PEHV, a BEV, or an FCEV. The additional vehicle is an autonomous vehicle in the present embodiment but may be driven by a driver. The additional vehicle may be a MaaS -dedicated vehicle. The mode of operation in which an additional vehicle is operated in addition to the regularly scheduled vehicles is called an “increased service mode M 3 ”. Although the operation management apparatus  10  directly provides vehicle dispatch instructions for regularly scheduled vehicles, non-scheduled vehicles, and additional vehicles in the present embodiment, the operation management apparatus  10  may have an operation manager provide the vehicle dispatch instructions. In the present embodiment, the plurality of vehicles B 1 , . . . , BN and the additional vehicles are circulating buses. 
     According to the present embodiment, operation of vehicles in response to increases or decreases in ride demand is facilitated by predicting the ride demand during a time slot in which each vehicle operates and during the remaining time of the time slot. 
     A configuration of the operation management apparatus  10  according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG.  2   . 
     The operation management apparatus  10  includes a controller  11 , a memory  12 , and a communication interface  13 . 
     The controller  11  includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general purpose processor such as a CPU or a GPU, or a dedicated processor that is dedicated to specific processing. The term “CPU” is an abbreviation of central processing unit. The term “GPU” is an abbreviation of graphics processing unit. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. The term “FPGA” is an abbreviation of field-programmable gate array. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC. The term “ASIC” is an abbreviation of application specific integrated circuit. The controller  11  executes processes related to operations of the operation management apparatus  10  while controlling components of the operation management apparatus  10 . 
     The memory  12  includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM or ROM. The term “RAM” is an abbreviation of random access memory. The term “ROM” is an abbreviation of read only memory. The RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. The term “SRAM” is an abbreviation of static random access memory. The term “DRAM” is an abbreviation of dynamic random access memory. The ROM is, for example, EEPROM. The term “EEPROM” is an abbreviation of electrically erasable programmable read only memory. The memory  12  functions as, for example, a main memory, an auxiliary memory, or a cache memory. The memory  12  stores data to be used for the operations of the operation management apparatus  10  and data obtained by the operations of the operation management apparatus  10 . The performance data D 1  and the status data D 2  are stored in the memory  12  in the present embodiment but may be stored in an external storage. The external storage is connected to the operation management apparatus  10 . 
     The communication interface  13  includes at least one interface for communication. The interface for communication is, for example, a LAN interface. The term “LAN” is an abbreviation of local area network. The communication interface  13  receives data to be used for the operations of the operation management apparatus  10 , and transmits data obtained by the operations of the operation management apparatus  10 . The communication interface  13  receives the results of observations made by the first sensor  20  installed in each vehicle. The first sensor  20  is installed in each vehicle to observe how many users are on board the vehicle. The communication interface  13  receives the results of observations made by the second sensors  30  installed on the route. The second sensor  30  is installed at each of the stops P 1 , . . . , PL to observe how many users are waiting for each vehicle. 
     The functions of the operation management apparatus  10  are realized by execution of a program according to the present embodiment by a processor serving as the controller  11 . That is, the functions of the operation management apparatus  10  are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the operation management apparatus  10 , thereby causing the computer to function as the operation management apparatus  10 . That is, the computer executes the operations of the operation management apparatus  10  in accordance with the program to thereby function as the operation management apparatus  10 . 
     The program can be stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium. The non-transitory computer readable medium is, for example, flash memory, a magnetic recording device, an optical disc, a magneto-optical recording medium, or ROM. The program is distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable medium such as an SD card, a DVD, or a CD-ROM on which the program is stored. The term “SD” is an abbreviation of Secure Digital. The term “DVD” is an abbreviation of digital versatile disc. The term “CD-ROM” is an abbreviation of compact disc read only memory. The program may be distributed by storing the program in a storage of a server and transferring the program from the server to another computer. The program may be provided as a program product. 
     For example, the computer temporarily stores, in a main memory, a program stored in a portable medium or a program transferred from a server. Then, the computer reads the program stored in the main memory using a processor and executes processes in accordance with the read program using the processor. The computer may read a program directly from the portable medium and execute processes in accordance with the program. The computer may, each time a program is transferred from the server to the computer, sequentially execute processes in accordance with the received program. Instead of transferring a program from the server to the computer, processes may be executed by a so-called ASP type service that realizes functions only by execution instructions and result acquisitions. The term “ASP” is an abbreviation of application service provider. Programs encompass information that is to be used for processing by an electronic computer and is thus equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct command to a computer but has a property that regulates processing of the computer is “equivalent to a program” in this context. 
     Some or all of the functions of the operation management apparatus  10  may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit serving as the controller  11 . That is, some or all of the functions of the operation management apparatus  10  may be realized by hardware. 
     Operations of the operation management apparatus  10  according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG.  3   . These operations correspond to an operation management method according to the present embodiment. 
     In step S 101 , the controller  11  of the operation management apparatus  10  acquires performance data D 1  indicating a usage record of the plurality of vehicles B 1 , . . . , BN that travel along a predetermined route. Specifically, the controller  11  retrieves from the memory  12  the performance data D 1 , which includes data indicating the average number of users on board the plurality of vehicles B 1 , . . . , BN in each time slot during a tally period. The number of vehicles N can be set appropriately by the operation manager. For example, if the average number of users during the time slot with the highest average number of users as indicated by the performance data D 1  is 30 and the capacity of each vehicle is 10, then N may be set to 30/10, i.e., 3. The tally period can be set appropriately by the operation manager. For example, the tally period may be set to the past month or longer before the operation date in a case of emphasizing a trend in the ride demand immediately preceding the operation date, or to a one day or longer period that includes the date corresponding to the operation date in the previous year in a case of emphasizing seasonal variation in the ride demand. The graph in the upper tier of  FIG.  7    is an example of plotting the performance data D 1 , with the horizontal axis representing the time slot and the vertical axis representing the average number of users. 
     In step S 102 , the controller  11  of the operation management apparatus  10  predicts, based on the performance data D 1  acquired in step S 101 , the ride demand during a time slot TX in which each vehicle is operated. As a result, a first predicted value of the ride demand during the time slot TX is obtained. Specifically, the controller  11  refers to the performance data D 1  to identify the average number per vehicle of users who used the plurality of vehicles B 1 , . . . , BN during the tally period for each time slot. The controller  11  uses the value indicating the average number of users per vehicle identified for the time slot TX as the first predicted value of ride demand during the time slot TX. 
     In step S 103 , the controller  11  of the operation management apparatus  10  determines whether the first predicted value of the ride demand obtained in step S 102  is higher than the first threshold. Specifically, the controller  11  sets the minimum number of users X per vehicle as the first threshold. X can be set appropriately by the operation manager, but in the present embodiment, X is set to the break-even point per vehicle. In other words, X is set to the value that yields a profit if the average number per vehicle of users that use the plurality of vehicles B 1 , . . . , BN is greater than that value. For example, X can be calculated from the daily operating costs of the plurality of vehicles B 1 , . . . , BN, the daily operating hours of the plurality of vehicles B 1 , . . . , BN, and the fare revenue per user. In the present embodiment, the first threshold varies according to the operation date on which each vehicle is operated. 
     The controller  11  determines in step S 104  to operate each vehicle as a regularly scheduled vehicle during the time slot TX in a case in which the first predicted value is determined to be higher than the first threshold. That is, the controller  11  sets the operation mode for the time slot TX to the regular fixed route operation mode Ml.  FIG.  8    illustrates a specific example of the regular fixed route operation mode Ml. In the example illustrated in  FIG.  8   , after waiting at a vehicle base  50 , the vehicle B 1 , which is one vehicle among the plurality of vehicles B 1 , . . . , BN, stops in order from stops P 1  to P 5  repeatedly as a regularly operating vehicle and then returns to the vehicle base  50 . Users board the vehicle B 1  at one of the stops P 1  to P 5  and alight from the vehicle B 1  at one of the stops P 1  to P 5 . The other vehicles B 2 , . . . also depart sequentially from the vehicle base  50  following the vehicle B 1  and, like the vehicle B  1 , stop in order from the stops P 1  to P 5  repeatedly as regularly operating vehicles and then return to the vehicle base  50 . 
     The controller  11  determines in step S 109  to operate each vehicle as a non-scheduled vehicle during the time slot TX in a case in which the first predicted value is determined to be equal to or less than the first threshold. That is, the controller  11  sets the operation mode for the time slot TX to the semi-demand operation mode M 2 . The flow in  FIG.  3    then ends.  FIG.  9    illustrates a specific example of the semi-demand operation mode M 2 . In the example illustrated in  FIG.  9   , a vehicle BY, which is one vehicle among the plurality of vehicles B 1 , . . . , BN, is selected while on standby at the vehicle base  50  and operated as a non-scheduled vehicle to be dispatched in response to an individual request from a user. The communication interface  13  of the operation management apparatus  10  receives a vehicle dispatch request from the terminal apparatus U 1  of the user. The vehicle dispatch request contains information requesting that a vehicle be dispatched to the stop corresponding to an origin ORI specified by the user at the time specified by the user. The vehicle dispatch request may include information indicating the stop corresponding to a destination DES specified by the user. In the example in  FIG.  9   , it is assumed that the stop P 3  corresponds to the origin ORI. It is assumed that the stop P 5  corresponds to the destination DES. The controller  11  of the operation management apparatus  10  acquires information indicated by the vehicle dispatch request received by the communication interface  13 . The controller  11  creates an operation plan for a non-scheduled vehicle according to the acquired information. The “operation plan for a non-scheduled vehicle” refers to the operation schedule of a non-scheduled vehicle in the semi-demand operation mode M 2 . Specifically, the operation plan for a non-scheduled vehicle includes data indicating when and where the non-scheduled vehicle is to stop, i.e., the stops where the non-scheduled vehicle is to stop and the corresponding stop times. The controller  11  transmits the created operation plan for a non-scheduled vehicle to the vehicle BY. After departing from the vehicle base  50 , the vehicle BY passes through the stops P 1  and P 2  and stops at the stop P 3  at the time specified by the user. The user boards the vehicle BY at the stop P 3 . After departing from the stop P 3 , the vehicle BY passes through the stop P 4  and stops at the stop P 5 . The user alights from the vehicle BY at the stop P 5 . After departing from the stop P 5 , the vehicle BY returns to the vehicle base  50 . 
     Based on the acquired performance data D 1 , the controller  11  thus predicts the ride demand during a time slot TX in which each vehicle is operated. The controller  11  determines to operate each vehicle as a regularly scheduled vehicle during the time slot TX in a case in which the resulting first predicted value of the ride demand is higher than the first threshold. The controller  11  determines to operate each vehicle as a non-scheduled vehicle during the time slot TX in a case in which the first predicted value is equal to or less than the first threshold. 
     In step S 105 , the controller  11  of the operation management apparatus  10  acquires status data D 2  indicating an existence status of at least one user when each vehicle is operated as a regularly scheduled vehicle during the time slot TX for which it was determined in step S 104  to operate each vehicle as a regularly scheduled vehicle. In the present embodiment, the status data D 2  includes data indicating the number of waiting users, which is the number of users waiting by at least one stop on the route, and data indicating the number of on-board users, which is the number of users on board at least one vehicle.  FIG.  5    illustrates the details of the process in step S 105 . 
     In step S 301  of  FIG.  5   , the controller  11  detects the number of waiting users for at least one stop on the route. Specifically, the communication interface  13  receives the results of observations made by the second sensors  30  installed along the route. The controller  11  detects the number of waiting users by analyzing the images captured by the second sensor  30  and received by the communication interface  13 . In the example in  FIG.  8   , the controller  11  detects the number of waiting users at the stop P 1  by analyzing images captured by the second sensor  30  installed at the stop P 1 . For example, if one user is waiting at the stop P 1  for the arrival of the vehicle B 1 , the controller  11  detects that the number of waiting users is one by analyzing the images that were captured by the second sensor  30  installed at the stop P 1  and were received by the communication interface  13 . As the image analysis method, a known method can be used. Machine learning, such as deep learning, may be used. 
     In step S 302  of  FIG.  5   , the controller  11  detects the number of on-board users for at least one vehicle. Specifically, the communication interface  13  receives the results of observations made by the first sensor  20  installed in at least one vehicle among the plurality of vehicles B 1 , . . . , BN. The controller  11  detects the number of on-board users by analyzing the images captured by the first sensor  20  and received by the communication interface  13 . In the example illustrated in  FIG.  8   , the controller  11  detects the number of on-board users in the vehicle B 1  by analyzing images captured by the first sensor  20  installed in the vehicle B 1 . For example, if one user is on board the vehicle B 1 , the controller  11  detects that the number of on-board users is one by analyzing the images that were captured by the first sensor  20  installed in the vehicle B 1  and were received by the communication interface  13 . As the image analysis method, a known method can be used. Machine learning, such as deep learning, may be used. 
     In the present embodiment, step S 302  is executed after step S 301  is completed, but steps S 301  and S 302  may be executed in reverse order or simultaneously. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG.  8   , the timing at which the controller  11  acquires the status data D 2  is before the vehicle B 1  arrives at the stops ahead. Assuming that the vehicle B 1  is operated as a regularly scheduled vehicle from 7:00 a.m. on, the controller  11  analyzes each image acquired from the first sensor  20  and the second sensor  30  before the vehicle arrives at the stop P 1 , for example at 7:05 a.m., to acquire the status data D 2  that includes the data indicating the number of on-board users on the vehicle B 1  and the data indicating the number of waiting users at the stop P 1 . It is assumed that, as a result of the analysis, one user is detected as the number of on-board users and one user is detected as the number of waiting users for the vehicle B 1 . In this case, the controller  11  stores, in the memory  12 , status data D 2  that includes data indicating that the number of on-board users is one and the number of waiting users is one. 
     In step S 106 , the controller  11  of the operation management apparatus  10  predicts the ride demand during the remaining time of the time slot TX based on the status data D 2  acquired in step S 105 . As a result, a second predicted value of the ride demand during the remaining time of the time slot TX is obtained.  FIG.  6    illustrates the details of the process in step S 106 . 
     In step S 401  of  FIG.  6   , the controller  11  estimates, for at least one vehicle, the number of boarding users, which is the number of users who are to board at at least one stop on the route, and the number of alighting users, which is the number of users who are to alight at at least one stop. Specifically, the controller  11  retrieves environmental data D 3  from the memory  12  indicating environmental conditions around at least one stop and calculates the estimated number of boarding users and the estimated number of alighting users. The input may include the time, as illustrated in  FIG.  11   . The environmental data D 3  is stored in the memory  12  in the present embodiment but may be stored in an external storage. In the present embodiment, the environmental conditions include weather conditions, road traffic conditions, railroad operation conditions, and event conditions. The data indicating weather conditions included in the environmental data D 3  is, for example, data related to the weather, such as weather forecasts provided by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The data indicating road traffic conditions included in the environmental data D 3  is, for example, data on traffic jams and traffic regulations provided by the Japan Road Traffic Information Center. The data indicating the railroad operation conditions included in the environmental data D 3  is, for example, data provided by a railroad operator regarding free alternative transportation due to suspended railroad operation. The data indicating the event conditions included in the environmental data D 3  is, for example, data on the venue, event schedule, and the like provided by the organizer of a sporting event or concert event. The controller  11  increases or decreases the estimated number of boarding users and the estimated number of alighting users according to the environmental conditions, including the weather conditions, road traffic conditions, railroad operation conditions, and event conditions, indicated by the environmental data D 3 . For example, it is assumed that a stadium for sporting events is located in the vicinity of a certain stop. At this stop, the number of boarding users and the number of alighting users vary greatly depending on the status of the sporting event. In a case in which a sporting event starts during the time slot TX, the controller  11  calculates a higher value as the estimated number of alighting users than during the same time slot on days when no sporting event is held. In a case in which a sporting event ends during the time slot TX, the controller  11  calculates a higher value as the estimated number of boarding users than during the same time slot on days when no sporting event is held. In the present embodiment, the estimated number of boarding users and the estimated number of alighting users are calculated as illustrated in  FIG.  11    by the controller  11  using a boarding and alighting number estimator  14  that takes the environmental conditions around at least one stop as input and outputs the estimated number of boarding users and number of alighting users. Machine learning, such as deep learning, may be used to calculate the estimates. 
     In step S 402  of  FIG.  6   , in addition to the status data D 2  acquired in steps S 301  and S 302 , the controller  11  calculates the second predicted value of the ride demand during the remaining time in the time slot TX based on the estimated number of boarding users and the estimated number of alighting users calculated in step S 401 . Specifically, the controller  11  calculates the second predicted value with the following equation. Second predicted value=number of on-board users+Max(number of waiting users, estimated number of boarding users)−estimated number of alighting users In the above equation, “Max(number of waiting users, estimated number of boarding users)” indicates the larger of the detected number of waiting users and the estimated number of boarding users, i.e., the maximum value. In the present embodiment, the maximum value is calculated taking into consideration that the number of users waiting for the arrival of a vehicle may increase after the number of waiting users is detected, but a representative value such as an average value may be calculated. As a first example, it is assumed that one is detected in step S 302  as the number of on-board users, one is detected in step S 301  as the number of waiting users, and two is obtained as the estimated number of boarding users and zero as the estimated number of alighting users in step S 401 . In this case, the second predicted value is calculated as 1+Max(1,2)−0=3 using the above equation. In other words, the second predicted value indicates the number of users who are expected to be on board the vehicle B  1  after boarding and alighting are finished at the stop P 1 . As a second example, it is assumed that eight is detected in step S 302  as the number of on-board users, seven is detected in step S 301  as the number of waiting users, and eight is obtained as the estimated number of boarding users and two as the estimated number of alighting users in step S 401 . In this case, the second predicted value is calculated as 8+Max(7,8)−2=14 using the above equation. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG.  8   , the timing at which the controller  11  acquires the environmental data D 3  is before the vehicle B 1  arrives at the stops ahead, as in the case of the status data D 2 . The controller  11  reads, from the memory  12 , the estimated number of boarding users and the estimated number of alighting users in addition to the status data D 2  indicating the number of on-board users and the number of waiting users. The controller  11  applies these pieces of data and estimated values to the above equation to acquire a value, as the second predicted value, that indicates the number of users expected to be on board the vehicle B 1  after the boarding and alighting are finished at the stop P 1 . 
     In this way, the controller  11  predicts the ride demand during the remaining time of the time slot TX based on the estimated number of boarding users and number of alighting users in addition to the acquired status data D 2 . 
     In step S 107 , the controller  11  of the operation management apparatus  10  determines whether the second predicted value of the ride demand obtained in step S 106  is higher than the second threshold, which is a fixed value specific to at least one vehicle. In other words, the controller  11  determines whether to increase service. Specifically, the controller  11  sets the capacity of at least one vehicle as the second threshold. The controller  11  determines whether the second predicted value is higher than the second threshold. For example, in a case in which the capacity of at least one vehicle is 10 people, in the first example described above, the second predicted value is determined to be equal to or less than the second threshold, and in the second example, the second predicted value is determined to be higher than the second threshold. 
     The flow in  FIG.  3    ends in a case in which the second predicted value is determined to be equal to or less than the second threshold. That is, the controller  11  maintains the operation mode during the remaining time of the time slot TX in the regular fixed route operation mode M 1 . On the other hand, the controller  11  determines in step S 108  to introduce an additional vehicle onto the route during the remaining time of the time slot TX in a case in which the second predicted value is determined to be equal to or less than the second threshold. That is, the controller  11  switches the operation mode to the increased service mode M 3 .  FIG.  10    illustrates a specific example of the increased service mode M 3 . In the example illustrated in  FIG.  8   , it is assumed that the determination to increase service is made before the vehicle B 1  arrives at the stop P 1 , for example, at 7:05. In a case in which the second predicted value is determined to be higher than the second threshold as a result of the determination to increase service, a vehicle BZ is introduced onto the route as an additional vehicle for the remaining time, i.e., from 7:05 to 7:59, as illustrated in  FIG.  10   . The vehicle BZ departs from the vehicle base  50  following the vehicle B 1  and before the vehicle B 2 , and like the vehicle B 1 , the vehicle BZ stops in order from stops P 1  to P 5  repeatedly and then returns to the vehicle base  50 . 
     In the present embodiment, the flow in  FIG.  3    is terminated in a case in which the second predicted value is determined to be equal to or less than the second threshold in step S 107 , but after the determination in step S 107 , the process from step S 105  onward may be repeated until the remaining time in the time slot TX elapses. In other words, the determination of whether to increase service may be made multiple times. For example, the controller  11  may repeat the process from step S 105  onward at regular intervals, for example at 5 minute intervals. In the present embodiment, the flow in  FIG.  3    ends after the additional vehicle is introduced onto the route in step S 108 , but after the process of step S 108 , the process from step S 105  onward may be executed again until the remaining time in the time slot TX elapses. In the example illustrated in  FIG.  10   , when the second predicted value of the ride demand is determined to be equal to or less than the second threshold before the time remaining in the time slot TX has elapsed, the vehicle BZ may return to the vehicle base  50  immediately after all users have alighted from the vehicle BZ. 
     In this way, the controller  11  acquires status data D 2  indicating the existence status of at least one user when each vehicle is operated as a regularly scheduled vehicle. Based on the acquired status data D 2 , the controller  11  predicts the ride demand during the remaining time of the time slot TX. The controller  11  determines to introduce an additional vehicle onto the route for the remaining time in a case in which the resulting second predicted value of the ride demand is higher than the second threshold. 
     According to the present embodiment, operation of vehicles in response to increases or decreases in ride demand is facilitated by predicting the ride demand during the time slot TX in which each vehicle operates and during the remaining time of the time slot TX. 
     In the present embodiment, the controller  11  of the operation management apparatus  10  generates the operation mode table MT illustrated in  FIG.  7    by repeating the processing sequence of steps S 101  to S 103  and S 104  or S 109  a total of 19 times, with the time slot TX as each of the time slots from 6:00 through 24:00. For example, when setting the time slot TX to the 6:00 time slot, the controller  11  sets the operation mode during that time to the semi-demand operation mode M 2  as a result of the processing in steps S 101  through S 103  and S 109 . The “6:00 time slot” is the time slot between 6 and 7 o′clock, i.e., including 6:00 and not including 7:00. The “6:00 time slot” refers precisely to the period from 6:00:00 to 6:59:59, but in  FIG.  7    this is indicated by hours and minutes as “6:00 to 6:59” for the sake of convenience. The same is true for other time slots as well. Similarly, when setting the time slot TX to each of the 11:00 through 16:00 time slots and 21:00 through 24:00 time slots, the controller  11  sets the operation mode during each time slot to the semi-demand operation mode M 2  as a result of the processing in steps S 101  through S 103  and S 109 . For example, when setting the time slot TX to the 7:00 time slot, the controller  11  sets the operation mode during that time slot to the regular fixed route operation mode M 1  as a result of the processing in steps S 101  through S 104 . Similarly, when setting the time slot TX to each of the 8:00 through 10:00 time slots and the 17:00 through 20:00 time slots, the controller  11  sets the operation mode during each time slot to the regular fixed route operation mode M 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , operations related to the operation mode table MT are described. 
     In step S 201 , the controller  11  of the operation management apparatus  10  sets the parameters necessary for the operation of the vehicles. Specifically, the controller  11  establishes the route on which to operate the plurality of vehicles B 1 , . . . , BN and the stops P 1 , . . . , PL where each vehicle is to stop. 
     In step S 202 , the controller  11  generates the operation mode table MT as illustrated in the lower tier of  FIG.  7    based on the performance data D 1 . As illustrated in  FIG.  7   , data indicating the specific time slots for the regular fixed route operation mode M 1  and the specific time slots for the semi-demand operation mode M 2  is stored in the operation mode table MT. In the example in  FIG.  7   , data indicating the 7:00 through 10:00 times slots and the 17:00 through 20:00 time slots are stored in the operation mode table MT as the time slots for the regular fixed route operation mode M 1 . Furthermore, data indicating the 6:00, 11:00 through 16:00, and 21:00 through 24:00 time slots are stored in the operation mode table MT as the time slots for the semi-demand operation mode M 2 . 
     In step S 203 , the controller  11  of the operation management apparatus  10  devises an operation plan for regularly scheduled operation. The “operation plan for regularly scheduled operation” refers to the operation schedule of regularly scheduled vehicles in the regular fixed route operation mode M 1 . Specifically, the operation plan for regularly scheduled vehicles includes data indicating when and where the regularly scheduled vehicles are to stop, i.e., the stops where the regularly scheduled vehicles are to stop and the corresponding stop times. A known method can be used to devise the operation plan for regularly scheduled operation. Machine learning, such as deep learning, may be used. 
     In step S 204 , the controller  11  of the operation management apparatus  10  provides the user with the operation mode table MT. Any appropriate method may be used to provide the operation mode table MT, but in the present embodiment, a method to display the content of the operation mode table MT on the display or output the content from the speaker of an electronic signboard installed on the route, a method to post the content on the web site of the operation manager, a method to display the content on the display or output the content from the speaker of the terminal apparatuses U 1 , . . . , UM of the users, or a combination of these methods is used. 
     In step S 205 , the controller  11  of the operation management apparatus  10  operates the plurality of vehicles B 1 , . . . , BN according to the operation mode table MT. Specifically, the controller  11  causes the plurality of vehicles B 1 , . . . , BN to travel along the route as regularly scheduled vehicles during the time slots in the regular fixed route operation mode M 1  and as non-scheduled vehicles during the time slots in the semi-demand operation mode M 2 . 
     According to the present embodiment, operation of vehicles in response to increases or decreases in ride demand is facilitated by prediction of the ride demand by users for each vehicle among the plurality of vehicles B 1 , . . . , BN based on the performance data D 1 , the status data D 2 , and the environmental data D 3 . 
     In a variation of the present embodiment, the controller  11  of the operation management apparatus  10  may, in addition to the status data, predict the ride demand during the remaining time based on the number of users who are on board at least one vehicle and who have indicated their intention to alight. In this case, the indication of the user&#39;s intention to alight is detected via an input device, such as alighting buttons installed in each vehicle, or via the terminal apparatus of the user who indicates an intention to alight among the terminal apparatuses U 1 , . . . , UM. 
     The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, two or more blocks described in the block diagrams may be integrated, or a block may be divided. Instead of executing two or more steps described in the flowcharts in chronological order in accordance with the description, the steps may be executed in parallel or in a different order according to the processing capability of the apparatus that executes each step, or as required. Other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.