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 (W) while traveling in the work area (W); and a virtual work area setting unit that is configured to set a virtual work area (Z) where the traveling collector is allowed to perform a collecting operation in the work area (W), wherein the virtual work area (Z) 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 (Z) 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 (W) 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 (Z) based on the work area (W) 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 (Z) 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 (W) are superimposed on one another, and a superimposed portion thereof is set as the virtual work area (Z). a traveling collector that is configured to perform a collecting operation by picking up scattered objects scattered in a work area (W) while traveling in the work area (W); and a virtual work area setting unit that is configured to set a virtual work area (Z) where the traveling collector is allowed to perform a collecting operation in the work area (W), wherein the virtual work area (Z) 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 (Z) 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 (W) 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 (Z) based on the work area (W) 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 (Z) 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 (W) are superimposed on one another, and a superimposed portion thereof is set as the virtual work area (Z). <EOS>