JP7615093B2 - Route information providing device, route information providing method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technology for providing route information to users.

Conventionally, technology has been proposed that provides users with information on the route from their current location to a destination (see, for example, Patent Document 1). With such technology, by specifying a specific destination, information indicating the shortest route to the destination, information indicating the route that takes the shortest time, and so on, is provided to the user terminal.

JP 2017-172986 A

However, previous systems did not necessarily fully meet the needs of users.

In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide technology that makes it possible to provide users with more convenient route information.

One aspect of the present invention is a route information providing device that includes a route condition information acquiring unit that acquires route condition information including departure point information, intermediate point information, and destination information, a route candidate determining unit that determines route candidates that satisfy a predetermined condition regarding travel time from a departure point indicated by the departure point information to a destination indicated by the destination information via intermediate points indicated by the intermediate point information, and a route information providing unit that transmits information indicating the route candidates determined by the route candidate determining unit to another device.

In one aspect of the present invention, the route information providing device is configured such that the route candidate determination unit determines route candidates leading from a first departure point and a second departure point to the same destination.

One aspect of the present invention is a route information providing method including a route condition information acquisition step of acquiring route condition information including departure point information, intermediate point information, and destination information, a route candidate determination step of determining route candidates that satisfy a predetermined condition regarding travel time from the departure point indicated by the departure point information to the destination indicated by the destination information via the intermediate points indicated by the intermediate point information, and a route information providing step of transmitting information indicating the route candidates determined in the route candidate determination step to another device.

One aspect of the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to function as the above-mentioned route information providing device.

This invention makes it possible to provide users with route information that is more convenient.

1 is a schematic block diagram showing a system configuration of a route information providing system 100 according to the present invention. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the functional configuration of a route information providing device 30. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of route candidates determined by a route candidate determination unit 333. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of route candidates determined by a route candidate determination unit 333. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of route candidates determined by a route candidate determination unit 333. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of route candidates determined by a route candidate determination unit 333. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of the flow of operations of the route information providing system 100.

Hereinafter, specific configuration examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is a schematic block diagram showing a system configuration of a route information providing system 100 of the present invention. The route information providing system 100 includes a plurality of user terminals 10, an information providing device 20, and a route information providing device 30. Each device communicates via a network 90. The network 90 may be a network using wireless communication or a network using wired communication. The network 90 may be configured by combining a plurality of networks.

The user terminal 10 is an information processing device carried by a user. The user terminal 10 is, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable terminal, or other device. The user terminal 10 acquires location information of the user terminal 10. The location information may be defined in any way as long as it is information indicating a location. For example, the location information may be defined as information indicating latitude and longitude. For example, the location information may be defined as identification information indicating an area obtained by dividing a predetermined earth surface into multiple parts.

The user terminal 10 may acquire the location information of the user terminal 10 by using a satellite positioning system such as GPS (Global Positioning System). The user terminal 10 may acquire the location information of the user terminal 10 by wirelessly communicating with one or more base station devices or access points. Any mechanism may be used for the user terminal 10 to acquire the location information of the user terminal 10. The user terminal 10 transmits the location information of the user terminal 10 to the route information providing device 30 at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing may be, for example, the timing when the user of the user terminal 10 requests the provision of route information. The predetermined timing may be, for example, a predetermined cycle (for example, every minute, every 10 minutes, or every hour) on the condition that an application for receiving the provision of route information is started, or may be the timing when the position changes. The predetermined timing may be different from the specific example described above and may be any timing.

The user terminal 10 receives the provided information from the route information providing device 30. The user terminal 10 outputs the received provided information to the user. The provided information may be output, for example, by displaying characters or images on a display device, or by outputting audio from a speaker, or in any other manner.

The information providing device 20 is an information processing device that provides predetermined information to the route information providing device 30. The information providing device 20 may provide, for example, map information (e.g., road information, store information, facility information, etc.) in a predetermined area to the route information providing device 30. The information providing device 20 may provide, for example, traffic conditions (e.g., information on traffic volume on each road, information on congestion, and information on road closures) to the route information providing device 30. The information providing device 20 may provide, for example, information on events that prevent people from passing through the area (hereinafter referred to as "movement restriction events") to the route information providing device 30. Specific examples of movement restriction events include floods, inundation, collapses, and falling rocks.

The information providing device 20 may provide, for example, the occurrence of a specified event to the route information providing device 30. For example, when an earthquake of a specified magnitude or greater occurs, the information providing device 20 may provide information about the earthquake to the route information providing device 30. More specifically, the information providing device 20 may provide information about an emergency earthquake warning (forecast) or an emergency earthquake warning (alert).

For example, when a natural phenomenon (e.g., a weather-related phenomenon) that satisfies a predetermined condition occurs, the information providing device 20 may provide information about the natural phenomenon to the route information providing device 30. The information providing device 20 may provide special weather warnings, alerts, cautions, or early warning information to the route information providing device 30. For example, the information transmitted by the information providing device 20 may include information indicating the type or scale of the natural phenomenon that may occur, and information indicating the area in which such a natural phenomenon may occur.

The route information providing device 30 is configured using an information processing device such as a personal computer or a server device. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the functional configuration of the route information providing device 30. The route information providing device 30 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33. The route information providing device 30 determines information indicating route candidates to be provided to the user (hereinafter referred to as "route information") and provides the information to another device (e.g., the user terminal 10). The route information may be provided by a device different from the user terminal 10. The route candidates may be determined based on, for example, the time required to reach the destination from the departure point (hereinafter referred to as "travel time"). For a route that passes through a relay point, the time when passing through the relay point is acquired as the travel time.

The communication unit 31 is configured using a communication interface. The communication unit 31 connects to the network 90 via wireless communication or wired communication, and communicates data with other devices.

The storage unit 32 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 32 stores data recorded by the control unit 33. The data stored in the storage unit 32 is read by the control unit 33. The storage unit 32 functions as, for example, a position information storage unit 321, a user information storage unit 322, a group information storage unit 323, and a map information storage unit 324.

The location information storage unit 321 stores location information transmitted from each user terminal 10. The user information storage unit 322 stores information about users who receive services from the route information providing system 100 and people related to those users.

The user information storage unit 322 stores, for example, identification information, attribute information, and registered location information of users and related parties. Identification information is information that uniquely identifies a user or related party. Attribute information includes, for example, information indicating age, sex, and affiliation (such as the school attended by a student, the workplace commuted to by a worker, or the home of a housewife). Registered location information is information that is registered in advance as information indicating a location where a person is likely to be. The registered location information may be registered in association with, for example, date and time information (e.g., day of the week and time).

The group information storage unit 323 stores, for each group, the identification information of users or related parties belonging to that group. For example, a family is a specific example of a group. If there are four people in the family, the identification information of the four people may be registered as a group with the attribute of family. Another specific example of a group is a care team. If there are three care staff members and four people in need of care, the identification information of a total of seven people may be registered as a group with the attribute of care. In this case, information such as care staff member or person in need of care may be stored in the user information storage unit 322 as attribute information for each person.

The map information storage unit 324 stores map information. The map information includes, for example, information about roads and information about facilities and stores. The map information may be provided, for example, from the information providing device 20 at a predetermined timing.

The control unit 33 is configured using a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory. The control unit 33 functions as a location information acquisition unit 331, a route condition information acquisition unit 332, a route candidate determination unit 333, and a route information provision unit 334 by the CPU executing a program. All or part of the functions of the control unit 33 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a semiconductor storage device (e.g., an SSD: Solid State Drive), and storage devices such as a hard disk and a semiconductor storage device built into a computer system. The program may be transmitted via an electric communication line.

The location information acquisition unit 331 acquires identification information and location information from the user terminal 10. The identification information may be, for example, identification information indicating the user terminal 10 that is the sender, or identification information indicating the user itself. The identification information may be, for example, identification information that is pre-assigned to hardware (e.g., a SIM card or a terminal device) that the user terminal 10 has. The identification information may be identification information assigned in an application installed in the user terminal 10. The identification information may be identification information assigned to the user (e.g., a user ID, a telephone number, an email address). The location information acquisition unit 331 records the acquired identification information and location information in the location information storage unit 321 in association with information indicating the date and time when the information was acquired.

The location information acquisition unit 331 may acquire identification information and location information from an information device carried by a related person of the user. Specific examples of such information devices include devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, and tablets similar to the user terminal 10. Another specific example of such information devices is a device (e.g., a beacon device) whose main purpose is to acquire location information. Such a device may be configured as a small device having, for example, a communication device, a location information acquisition device, and a battery. The identification information may be, for example, identification information indicating the information device that is the sender, or identification information indicating the related person carrying this information device. The identification information may be, for example, identification information that is previously assigned to hardware (e.g., a SIM card or the information device itself) that the information device has. The location information acquisition unit 331 records the acquired identification information and location information in the location information storage unit 321 in association with information indicating the date and time when the information was acquired.

The route condition information acquisition unit 332 acquires information indicating conditions required to determine route candidates (hereinafter referred to as "route condition information"). The route condition information acquisition unit 332 may acquire part or all of the route condition information, for example, by reading information from the user information storage unit 322 or the group information storage unit 323. The route condition information acquisition unit 332 may acquire part or all of the route condition information from the user terminal 10, for example, by communicating with the user terminal 10.

Specific examples of route condition information include departure point information, intermediate point information, and destination information. The departure point information is information related to the location of the departure point of the route. The departure point information and intermediate point information may be set as the locations of users and related parties included in the group to be processed. The departure point information may be acquired, for example, as identification information of the users and related parties. In this case, the location of the departure point may be determined using location information stored in the location information storage unit 321 in association with the identification information. The departure point information may be acquired as information such as coordinates indicating the location.

The intermediate point information is information on the location of an intermediate point on a route. The intermediate point information may be acquired, for example, as identification information of a user or a related person. In this case, the location of the intermediate point may be determined using location information stored in the location information storage unit 321 in association with the identification information. In this case, the intermediate point information may change over time as the user or related person moves. In this case, when the route candidate determination unit 333 described later repeatedly executes the determination process, the process may be performed based on the latest intermediate point information each time. The intermediate point information may be acquired as information such as coordinates indicating a location. The intermediate point information may be acquired as information indicating a facility or store. The information indicating a facility or store may be acquired, for example, as information indicating the type or attribute of the facility or store (e.g., retail store, convenience store, vending machine, etc.), or may be acquired as information indicating a specific facility or store itself (name, coordinates, etc.).

Multiple types of stopover information may be provided. For example, the types of stopovers may be a mandatory stopover and an optional stopover. A mandatory stopover is a stopover that must be passed through. An optional stopover is a stopover that is passed through within a range in which a specified condition is met. For example, the specified condition may be defined as being able to reach the destination within a specified time. For example, the specified condition may be defined as being within a specified value of the difference between the time required to reach the destination without passing through the stopover and the time required to reach the destination without passing through the stopover (hereinafter referred to as the "increased time"), or the ratio of the increased time to the time required without passing through the stopover (increase rate) within a specified value.

In addition, when a route passes through a stopover point, the travel time may be determined to include the time required at the stopover point. For example, when a retail store such as a convenience store is set as a stopover point, the time generally expected to be required for shopping (e.g., 1 minute, 5 minutes, etc.) may be added to the travel time to determine route candidates. The time required at such stopover points may be set according to the attributes of the stopover point. For example, a relatively longer time may be set for a large store compared to a small store. If the specified conditions are not met, the optional stopover point is not used as a stopover point. Note that an optional stopover point that is not used as a stopover point is not included in the route and is a location where the user or related parties departing from the starting point do not stop.

Destination information is information relating to the location of the destination of the route. The destination information may be acquired, for example, as identification information of a user or related person. In this case, the location of the destination may be determined using location information stored in the location information storage unit 321 in association with the identification information. The destination information may be acquired as information such as coordinates indicating the location.

The destination information may be acquired as information indicating a facility or store. The information indicating a facility or store may be acquired, for example, as information indicating the type or attributes of the facility or store (e.g., retail store, convenience store, vending machine, etc.), or may be acquired as information indicating a specific facility or store itself (name, coordinates, etc.). At this time, a specified area may be set as the destination information. In this case, a specific facility or store located within the set area is determined to be the destination.

Destination information may be acquired by determining it according to specific conditions. For example, when the occurrence of a specified event is notified by the information providing device 20, the destination information may be determined as an evacuation shelter determined according to the event. When an evacuation shelter is determined as the destination information, information on multiple evacuation shelters may be acquired as candidates for the destination information. For example, one or multiple evacuation shelters located within a specified area may be acquired as candidates based on the distance from the departure point information and the intermediate point information.

As a specific example of route condition information, information indicating the means of transportation to be used may be set. Examples of means of transportation include walking, bicycle, wheelchair, automobile, and public transportation. The means of transportation may be set for each predetermined section (e.g., between a starting point and a relay point). As a specific example of route condition information, when multiple destination candidates may exist, information may be defined that indicates whether the same destination is set in one group or whether the destinations may differ depending on each starting point.

The route candidate determination unit 333 determines route candidates that satisfy the route conditions acquired by the route condition information acquisition unit 332. At this time, when there are multiple route candidates that satisfy the route conditions, the route candidate determination unit 333 determines one or more (a predetermined number) route candidates according to a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition may be, for example, a predetermined number of route candidates in order of the shortest time required to travel from the departure point to the destination.

The predetermined condition may be, for example, when there are multiple starting points, a predetermined number of routes from the starting point to the destination, in order of the time required for the route, starting from the shortest. The predetermined condition may be, for example, when there are multiple starting points, a predetermined number of routes from the starting point to the destination, in order of the time required for the route, starting from the shortest. Conditions in which "time" in the above specific example is replaced with "distance" or "travel" may also be used.

The route candidate determination unit 333 may repeatedly determine route candidates at a predetermined timing. For example, the determination may be repeatedly performed at a predetermined cycle (every minute, every five minutes, every ten minutes, etc.).

The route information providing unit 334 provides route information by transmitting a predetermined number of route candidates determined by the route candidate determining unit 333 to the user terminal 10. When the route candidate determining unit 333 repeatedly performs a determination at a predetermined timing, the route information providing unit 334 may provide information on new route candidates each time the determination is performed.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of route candidates determined by the route candidate determination unit 333. In Figure 3, the location of a specific destination is not set as destination information, and only information on multiple destination candidates (destination candidate 1 and destination candidate 2) is acquired. For example, destination candidate 1 and destination candidate 2 are two destination candidates located within a predetermined range from two starting points. In Figure 3, the condition is set to move from all starting points to the same destination. In Figure 3, nodes a and b are starting points. Nodes c and d are relay points (required relay points). Note that in Figures 3 to 6, the actually determined route is a route along an actual road on a map, but for convenience of explanation, in these figures, the route connecting the starting point, relay point, and destination is shown as a straight line. In addition, the letters next to the straight lines indicate the estimated time required to move between the nodes.

In the example of FIG. 3, several routes can be determined, but one route as shown in FIG. 3 was determined. In this example, the sum (total travel time) of the time Lad required to move from node a to node d, the time Ld required to move from node d to destination candidate 1, the time Lbc required to move from node b to node c, and the time Lc required to move from node c to destination candidate 1 is the shortest compared to the total times for the other route candidates. In other words, both relay points c and d are required relay points, and therefore must be passed through by a route extending from either the starting point a or b. Based on these conditions, the route was determined, and the route shown in FIG. 3 was determined.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of route candidates determined by the route candidate determination unit 333. In Figure 4, the location of a specific destination is not set as destination information, and only information on multiple destination candidates (destination candidate 1 and destination candidate 2) is acquired. For example, destination candidate 1 and destination candidate 2 are two destination candidates located within a specified range from two starting points. In Figure 4, a condition is set that all starting points travel to the same destination. In Figure 4, node a and node b are starting points. Node c, node d, node e, and node f are relay points (optional relay points).

In the example of FIG. 4, several routes can be determined, but one route shown in FIG. 4 was determined. In this example, the total travel time (total travel time) of the time Lad required to move from node a to node d, the time Lde required to move from node d to node e, the time Le required to move from node e to destination candidate 1, the time Lbc required to move from node b to node c, and the time Lc required to move from node c to destination candidate 1 is the shortest compared to the total time of the other route candidates. On the other hand, if the route passes through node f, which is an optional intermediate point, the condition will not be met, whether it is a route starting from node a or a route starting from node b. Therefore, node f, which is an optional intermediate point, is not included in either route. As a result of determining the route based on these conditions, the route shown in FIG. 4 was determined.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of route candidates determined by the route candidate determination unit 333. In Figure 5, the location of a specific destination is not set as destination information, and only information on multiple destination candidates (destination candidate 1 and destination candidate 2) is acquired. For example, destination candidate 1 and destination candidate 2 are two destination candidates located within a specified range from two starting points. In Figure 5, a condition is set that all starting points travel to the same destination. In Figure 5, node a and node b are starting points. Node c and node d are required stopovers, and a convenience store is an optional stopover.

In the example of FIG. 5, several routes can be determined, but the route shown in FIG. 5 is determined. In this example, the total travel time (total travel time) of the time Lad required to move from node a to node d, the time Ld required to move from node d to destination candidate 1, the time Lbc required to move from node b to node c, and the time Lc required to move from node c to destination candidate 1 is shorter than the total time of the other route candidates. In addition, the difference between the time Ld1+Ld2 required to move from node d to destination candidate 1 via the convenience store and the time Ld required to move directly from node d to destination candidate 1 satisfies a predetermined condition. Therefore, a route candidate that passes through the convenience store, which is an optional stopover point, is also selected. In other words, two route candidates, one that does not pass through the convenience store and one that passes through the convenience store, are presented to the user.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of route candidates determined by the route candidate determination unit 333. In Figure 6, the location of a specific destination is not set as destination information, and only information on multiple destination candidates (destination candidate 1 and destination candidate 2) is acquired. For example, destination candidate 1 and destination candidate 2 are two destination candidates located within a specified range from two starting points. In Figure 6, a condition is set that all starting points travel to the same destination. In Figure 6, node a and node b are starting points. Node c and node d are required relay points.

In the example of FIG. 6, several routes can be determined, but the route shown by the solid line in FIG. 6 is the one that is determined. In this example, the sum (total travel time) of the time Lad required to move from node a to node d, the time Ld required to move from node d to destination candidate 1, the time Lbc required to move from node b to node c, and the time Lc1 required to move from node c to destination candidate 1 is the shortest compared to the total times for the other route candidates. In FIG. 6, a route that is deliberately longer than the time Lc required for the shortest route to move from node c to destination candidate 1 (time Lc1) is selected. This is because the shortest route that can be reached in time Lc has a travel constraint area along the way.

A movement constraint area is an area in which movement is difficult or an area in which movement is estimated to be difficult within a predetermined time (while the user is trying to move). A movement constraint area may be an area in which movement is difficult, for example, in response to the occurrence of a movement constraint event within the area. A movement constraint area may be determined, for example, based on information provided by the information providing device 20. A movement constraint area may be determined by the route candidate determination unit 333 based on predefined information, such as a hazard map. A movement constraint area may be estimated by the route candidate determination unit 333 based on statistical data such as traffic volume in each area. It may be determined based on information provided by the information providing device 20. Specific examples of movement constraint areas include areas where flooding has already occurred, areas where flooding is expected to occur, areas where road closures have occurred, areas where road closures are expected to occur, areas where congestion has occurred, and areas where congestion is expected to occur. A movement constraint area to be the subject of information collection may be determined, for example, as follows. First, a geometric figure (e.g., a circle or a square) of a size that includes a predetermined number or more of facilities that can be destinations (more specifically, evacuation shelters determined in response to an incident) centered on a specific designated point (e.g., a starting point or a relay point) is determined. Then, information on the movement restriction area may be collected in the area included in the geometric figure of this size.

When route determination is repeatedly performed, the route information providing unit 334 may further provide information indicating the change between the travel time determined in a past determination process and the current travel time. For example, if the current travel time is longer than the time determined as the travel time to the destination in the past determination process, information may be provided so that route information is presented to the user in a form (warning form) different from the normal output. Information (e.g., a graph) indicating the change in travel time over time may also be presented. Factors that cause such changes in travel time include changes in intermediate points (e.g., movement of users or related parties corresponding to intermediate points) and the emergence of a travel restriction area.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the flow of operations of the route information providing system 100. The route information providing device 30 acquires the position information of each user terminal 10 and related parties (step S101). The route information providing device 30 acquires route condition information (step S102). The route condition information may be transmitted, for example, from a user terminal 10 operated by a user who is searching for a route. The route information providing device 30 determines route candidates that satisfy the acquired route conditions (step S103). The route information providing device 30 transmits information indicating the determined one or more route candidates to the user terminal 10 (step S104). The user terminal 10 outputs the received information indicating the route candidates as an image or sound (step S105).

According to the route information providing system 100 configured in this way, it is possible to provide more convenient route information to users. Specifically, it is as follows. In the route information providing system 100, route candidates that allow people departing from multiple starting points to reach the same destination are determined. At this time, it is possible to search for a route that reaches the destination via a relay point. Therefore, people departing from different starting points can meet at the same destination. More specifically, if a family (father, mother, and two children) is set as a group, it is possible to easily know route candidates for the father and mother to meet one child each at a relay point and then meet at the same destination (e.g., an evacuation site). In addition, as such route candidates, a route that has the shortest total travel time, a route that has the shortest travel time on the longest route among routes extending from multiple destinations, and the like are determined. Therefore, for example, if travel means evacuation, it is possible to evacuate more safely.

In addition, an optional stop point is selected as a route as long as a certain condition is met. On the other hand, if the certain condition is not met, it is not included in the route. Therefore, it is possible to pass through one or more optional stop points to the extent possible. More specifically, if a care team (two care staff members and four people requiring care) is set as a group, each care staff member can easily know candidate routes to pass through the people requiring care to the extent possible and join up at the same destination (e.g., an evacuation shelter).

In addition, when a movement restriction area is set, route candidates for avoiding it are determined. This makes it easy to know safer and more reliable routes that can be traveled.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, the information providing device 20 and the route information providing device 30 may be configured as an integrated device. In addition, the route information providing device 30 may be constructed as a route information providing system by connecting multiple information processing devices so that they can communicate with each other.

100...route information providing system, 10...user terminal, 20...information providing device, 30...route information providing device, 31...communication unit, 32...storage unit, 321...location information storage unit, 322...user information storage unit, 323...group information storage unit, 324...map information storage unit, 33...control unit, 331...location information acquisition unit, 332...route condition information acquisition unit, 333...route candidate determination unit, 334...route information providing unit

Claims (8)

a route condition information acquisition unit that acquires route condition information including departure point information, intermediate point information, and destination information indicating a plurality of evacuation shelters that are determined in accordance with an incident that has occurred and that are located within a predetermined area based on a distance from the departure point information ;
a route candidate determination unit that determines route candidates that satisfy a predetermined condition related to a travel time from the departure point indicated by the departure point information to the destination indicated by the destination information via the relay point indicated by the relay point information;
a route information providing unit that transmits information indicating the route candidates determined by the route candidate determining unit to a user terminal;
Equipped with
the route candidate determination unit determines the route candidates so that a plurality of users can arrive at the same destination from different starting points;
The route candidate determination unit determines the route candidates while avoiding a movement constraint area, which is an area where movement is difficult or an area where movement is estimated to become difficult within a predetermined time. The plurality of users includes a care staff member who cares for a person requiring care,
The relay points include mandatory relay points that must be passed through and optional relay points that are relay points that are passed through within a range in which a predetermined condition regarding relay is satisfied,
A person requiring care is located at the required stopover point or the optional stopover point,
The route information providing device of claim 1, wherein the route candidate determination unit, when determining the route candidates, determines route candidates that always pass through the required relay points and that pass through the optional relay points within a range in which specified conditions regarding the relay points are satisfied, thereby determining routes for multiple care staff to travel to the same evacuation shelter via the person in need of care via their own routes . 2. The route information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition regarding the travel time is that, among a combination of a plurality of routes for the plurality of users reaching the same destination from different starting points, the combination is one in which the longest route included in the combination has the shortest travel time. The route information providing device according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined condition regarding the travel time is a combination of a plurality of routes that, for the plurality of users, travels from different starting points to the same destination in a shortest total travel time. The route information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the route candidate determination unit determines the route candidates based on the travel time including the time required at the relay points. A group information storage unit is further provided for storing, for each group, identification information of users or related persons belonging to the group;
The route information providing device according to claim 1 , wherein the route candidate determination unit determines route candidates according to users or related parties who belong to the group. a route condition information acquisition step of acquiring route condition information including departure point information, intermediate point information, and destination information indicating a plurality of evacuation shelters determined in accordance with the occurrence of an incident and located within a predetermined area based on a distance from the departure point information ;
a route candidate determination step of determining, for each of a plurality of users, route candidates that satisfy a predetermined condition related to travel time among routes that travel from the departure point indicated by the departure point information to the destination indicated by the destination information via the intermediate points indicated by the intermediate point information;
a route information providing step of transmitting information indicating the route candidates determined in the route candidate determining step to a user terminal;
having
In the route candidate determination step, the route candidates are determined so that a plurality of users can arrive at the same destination from different starting points;
A route information providing method, wherein in the route candidate determining step, the route candidates are determined while avoiding a movement constraint area, which is an area where movement is difficult or an area where movement is estimated to become difficult within a predetermined time. A computer program for causing a computer to function as the route information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 .

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