A scattered object collection system comprising: a traveling collector that is configured to perform a collecting operation by picking up scattered objects scattered in a work area while traveling in the work area; and a virtual work area setting unit that is configured to set a virtual work area where the traveling collector is allowed to perform a collecting operation in the work area, wherein the virtual work area is set based on at least one of a position of a storage space where collected scattered objects are unloaded from the traveling collector and stored therein, a position of charging equipment where the traveling collector is charged, a release position where scattered objects are released, or a target position of scattered objects, wherein the virtual work area setting unit sets the virtual work area based on at least one of the position of the storage space, the position of the charging equipment, the release position, or the target position, or wherein the work area and at least one of the position of the storage space, the position of the charging equipment, the release position, or the target position are screen-displayed, and a user specifies the virtual work area based on the work area and at least one of the position of the storage space, the position of the charging equipment, the release position, or the target position, wherein the virtual work area is set in the vicinity of at least one of the storage space, the charging equipment, or the target position, characterized in that the scattered object collection system is configured such that a neighboring area defined around at least one of the storage space, the charging equipment, or the target position and a virtual area defined beforehand in the work area are superimposed on one another, and a superimposed portion thereof is set as the virtual work area. a traveling collector that is configured to perform a collecting operation by picking up scattered objects scattered in a work area while traveling in the work area; and a virtual work area setting unit that is configured to set a virtual work area where the traveling collector is allowed to perform a collecting operation in the work area, wherein the virtual work area is set based on at least one of a position of a storage space where collected scattered objects are unloaded from the traveling collector and stored therein, a position of charging equipment where the traveling collector is charged, a release position where scattered objects are released, or a target position of scattered objects, wherein the virtual work area setting unit sets the virtual work area based on at least one of the position of the storage space, the position of the charging equipment, the release position, or the target position, or wherein the work area and at least one of the position of the storage space, the position of the charging equipment, the release position, or the target position are screen-displayed, and a user specifies the virtual work area based on the work area and at least one of the position of the storage space, the position of the charging equipment, the release position, or the target position, wherein the virtual work area is set in the vicinity of at least one of the storage space, the charging equipment, or the target position, characterized in that the scattered object collection system is configured such that a neighboring area defined around at least one of the storage space, the charging equipment, or the target position and a virtual area defined beforehand in the work area are superimposed on one another, and a superimposed portion thereof is set as the virtual work area.