Integrated system for optimizing vehicle utilization

US10783466B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SAP SE · DE

Inventors

• Raymond Yao · Ossining, US
• Xin Chen · Shanghai, CN
• Philippe Nemery · Shanghai, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 7, 2016
• Grant date: Sep 22, 2020
• Expiry date: Mar 17, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q30/0605
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Various embodiments of systems and methods for optimizing vehicle utilization are described herein. The method includes determining demand, supply, and availability of vehicles. A graph with nodes (representing source and destination stations of orders) and arcs connecting nodes is generated based on validity conditions, e.g., there is network connectivity from source to destination node, etc. The arc is assigned for repositioning, waiting, and loaded move based upon input such as tolerable delay for orders, waiting cost at stations, repositioning cost, long stand cost, revenue generated from orders, order priority, etc. A network flow solver is successively executed to solve the graph to maximize profit, optimized utilization of vehicles, fulfill order on time, and balance demand and supply. Output tables including key performance indicators (KPIs) and information of fulfilled and unfulfilled orders are generated. Vehicle allocation, repositioning, waiting, and loaded move may in turn are optimized based on the output tables.