Avoiding missed rideshare connections

Abstract

A system may include a processor configured to receive a first request from a first user; electronically assign a ridesharing vehicle to pick up the first user and determine a driving route for transporting the first user; determine a target arrival time at a first drop-off location; receive a second request from a second user; calculate an estimated delay that would be caused to the first user by picking up of the second user; determine whether the delay would cause the first user to arrive at a first drop-off location after a target arrival time; determine that picking up the second user will not cause the first user to arrive at the first drop-off location after the target arrival time and electronically assign the ridesharing vehicle to pick up the second user; and direct the ridesharing vehicle according to an updated driving route.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for directing ridesharing vehicles, the system comprising:
 a communications interface configured to:
 receive ride requests from a first plurality of communication devices associated with a plurality of users, wherein each ride request includes a starting point and a desired destination corresponding to each of the plurality of users; 
 receive location information from a second plurality of communication devices associated with a plurality of ridesharing vehicles, wherein the location information includes global positioning system (GPS) data generated by GPS components associated with the second plurality of communication devices; and 
   at least one processor configured to:
 assign a first ridesharing vehicle to pick up a first group of users from the plurality of users; 
 determine, for each of the first group of users, a pick-up location other than the starting point and a drop-off location other than the desired destination; 
 provide, to each of the first group of users, a description of the determined pick-up location and an estimated pick-up time; 
 after picking up some of the first group of users and before dropping them off, receive an indication of an unanticipated ridesharing event; 
 determine an inability of the first ridesharing vehicle to pick up a next user from the first group of users at a corresponding estimated pick-up time due to the unanticipated ridesharing event; 
 reassign the next user to a second ridesharing vehicle transporting a second group of users; 
 determine a new route for the first ridesharing vehicle that does not include the determined pick-up location of the next user and a new route for the second ridesharing vehicle that includes the determined pick-up location of the next user; and 
 direct the first ridesharing vehicle and the second ridesharing vehicle according to their new routes. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the indication of the unanticipated ridesharing event from one of the second plurality of communication devices associated with the first ridesharing vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the indication of the unanticipated ridesharing event from one of the first plurality of communication devices associated with a user currently riding in the first ridesharing vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine the indication of the unanticipated ridesharing event from the location information received from one of the second plurality of communication devices associated with the first ridesharing vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine the indication of the unanticipated ridesharing event from real-time traffic data indicative of atypical congestion along a driving route of the first ridesharing vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, when the unanticipated ridesharing event includes picking up a user from the first group of users accompanied by at least one unannounced additional passenger, the at least one processor is further configured to charge the user for the least one unannounced additional passenger. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, when the unanticipated ridesharing event includes changing a desired destination of at least one user of the first group of users riding the first ridesharing vehicle, the at least one processor is further configured to direct the first ridesharing vehicle along the new route that does not include the determined pick-up location of the next user from the first group of users, that does not include an original drop-off location associated with an original desired destination of the next user from the first group of users, and that includes a new drop-off location associated with a new desired destination of the at least one user of the first group of users. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, when the unanticipated ridesharing event includes a navigational mistake caused by a driver of the first ridesharing vehicle, the at least one processor is further configured to update a record associated with the driver. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, when the unanticipated ridesharing event includes atypical congestion in a road the first ridesharing vehicle is driving, the at least one processor is further configured to change drop-off locations of passengers riding other ridesharing vehicles to avoid the congest road. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, when the unanticipated ridesharing event includes a malfunction of the first ridesharing vehicle, the at least one processor is further configured to assign at least two additional ridesharing vehicles to transport users of the first ridesharing vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine the inability of the first ridesharing vehicle to pick up the next user at the estimated pick-up time by calculating a delay in the estimate time of arrival (ETA) to the next user caused by the unanticipated ridesharing event and compare it with a predefined threshold prior to reassign the next user to the second ridesharing vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to calculate a delay in the estimate time of arrival (ETA) to each user from the first group of users scheduled to be picked up, and determine that, by reassigning the next user to the second ridesharing vehicle, the delay in the ETA to other users would be within a predefined threshold. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the new route for the first ridesharing vehicle includes at least one change in a drop-off location for one user from the first group of users. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause an update to be transmitted to the next user that a different ridesharing vehicle is assigned. 
     
     
         15 . A method for directing ridesharing vehicles, the method comprising:
 receiving ride requests from a first plurality of communication devices associated with a plurality of users, wherein each ride request includes a starting point and a desired destination corresponding to each of the plurality of users;   receiving location information from a second plurality of communication devices associated with a plurality of ridesharing vehicles, wherein the location information includes global positioning system (GPS) data generated by GPS components associated with the second plurality of communication devices;   assigning a first ridesharing vehicle to pick up a first group of users from the plurality of users;   determining for each of the first group of users, a pick-up location other than the starting point and a drop-off location other than the desired destination;   providing, to each of the first group of users, a description of the determined pick-up location and an estimated pick-up time;   after picking up some of the first group of users and before dropping them off, receiving an indication of an unanticipated ridesharing event;   determining an inability of the first ridesharing vehicle to pick up a next user from the first group of users at a corresponding estimated pick-up time due to the unanticipated ridesharing event;   reassigning the next user to a second ridesharing vehicle transporting a second group of users;   determining a new route for the first ridesharing vehicle that does not include the determined pick-up location of the next user and a new route for the second ridesharing vehicle that includes the determined pick-up location of the next use; and   directing the first ridesharing vehicle and the second ridesharing vehicle according to their new routes.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 receiving the indication of the unanticipated ridesharing event from one of the second plurality of communication devices associated with the first ridesharing vehicle.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 receiving the indication of the unanticipated ridesharing event from one of the first plurality of communication devices associated with a passenger currently riding in the first ridesharing vehicle.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 determining the indication of the unanticipated ridesharing event from the location information received from one of the second plurality of communication devices associated with the first ridesharing vehicle along a driving route of the first ridesharing vehicle.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 determining the indication of the unanticipated ridesharing event from real-time traffic data indicative of atypical congestion.   
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method for directing ridesharing vehicles, the method comprising:
 receiving ride requests from a first plurality of communication devices associated with a plurality of users, wherein each ride request includes a starting point and a desired destination corresponding to each of the plurality of users;
 receiving location information from a second plurality of communication devices associated with a plurality of ridesharing vehicles, wherein the location information includes global positioning system (GPS) data generated by GPS components associated with the second plurality of communication devices; 
 assigning a first ridesharing vehicle to pick up a first group of users from the plurality of users; 
 determining for each of the first group of users, a pick-up location other than the starting point and a drop-off location other than the desired destination; 
 providing, to each of the first group of users, a description of the determined pick-up location and an estimated pick-up time; 
 after picking up some of the first group of users and before dropping them off, receiving an indication of an unanticipated ridesharing event; 
 determining an inability of the first ridesharing vehicle to pick up a next user from the first group of users at a corresponding estimated pick-up time due to the unanticipated ridesharing event; 
 reassigning the next user to a second ridesharing vehicle transporting a second group of users; 
 determining a new route for the first ridesharing vehicle that does not include the determined pick-up location of the next user and a new route for the second ridesharing vehicle that includes the determined pick-up location of the next use; and 
 directing the first ridesharing vehicle and the second ridesharing vehicle according to their new routes. 
   
     
     
         21 . A system for directing a vehicle, the system comprising:
 at least one processor configured to:
 receive, from a wireless communication device, location data indicative of a current location of the vehicle; 
 direct the vehicle to a desired destination using a first driving route; 
 receive, at a first time, data indicating that a new route for the vehicle is requested; 
 predict a location of the vehicle at a second time that will occur after the first time, the location being one where a driver of the vehicle can safely implement instructions associated with changing the first driving route; 
 determine, based on the predicted location of the vehicle at the second time, a second driving route; and 
 prior to the second time, send instructions associated with the second driving route to the wireless communication device. 
   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 receive data directing the vehicle to turn to a specified direction;   identify that a first turn to orient the vehicle to the specified direction is located between the current location of vehicle and the predicated location of the vehicle;   identify that a second turn to orient the vehicle to the specified direction is located after the predicted location of the vehicle;   send to the wireless communication device instructions directing the vehicle to navigate by turning at the second turn and not the first turn, wherein the first turn is closer to the current location and the instructions would be received by the wireless communications device before the vehicle passes the first turn.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein to predict the location of the vehicle at the second time, the at least one processor is configured to determine a time duration between the first time and the second time based on at least one of an estimated route determination time, an estimated instructions transmission time, or an estimated driver reaction time. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive statistics of previous route determination times, and to use the statistics to determine the estimated route determination time. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive data indicative of downlink data latency between the system and the wireless communication device, and to use the data to determine the estimated instructions transmission time. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive data indicative of a past driving performance of the driver, and to use the data to determine the estimated driver reaction time. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein to predict the location of the vehicle at the second time, the at least one processor is configured to determine a current state of the vehicle based on data received from the wireless communication device. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the current state of the vehicle includes a current location of the vehicle and a current velocity of the vehicle determined using global positioning system (GPS) data generated by a GPS component associated with the wireless communication device. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the current state of the vehicle includes at least one operational condition of the vehicle determined using data measured by sensors onboard the vehicle and conveyed by the wireless communication device. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein to predict the location of the vehicle at the second time, the at least one processor is configured to determine at least one environmental condition that can affect implementing one or more changes to the first driving route. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the determined environmental condition includes at least one of: a neighborhood where the vehicle is currently located, current traffic conditions near the vehicle, current weather conditions, characteristics of a road the vehicle is driving, and a time of day. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the determined environmental condition includes a number of lanes of a road being traveled by the vehicle and traffic regulatory data associated with a lane that the vehicle is traveling in. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the vehicle is a vehicle-for-hire and the data indicating that a new route for the vehicle is desired is an assignment to pick-up a passenger. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the vehicle is a ridesharing vehicle and the data indicating that a new route for the vehicle is requested includes a change of a drop-off location of a first passenger currently riding in the vehicle that resulted from a new assignment of the ridesharing vehicle to pick-up a second passenger. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the vehicle is a ridesharing vehicle and the data indicating that a new route for the vehicle is requested is an indication of an unanticipated ridesharing event. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein to predict the location of the vehicle at the second time, the at least one processor is configured to determine if the driver of the vehicle is a human driver associated with a first typical reaction time or an autonomous driver associated with a second typical reaction time. 
     
     
         37 . A method for directing a vehicle, the method comprising:
 receiving global positioning system (GPS) data indicative of a current location of the vehicle, the GPS data have been generated by a GPS component associated with a wireless communication device;   directing the vehicle to a desired destination using a first driving route;   receiving, at a first time, data indicating that a new route for the vehicle is requested;   predicting a location of the vehicle at a second time that will occur after the first time, the location being one where a driver of the vehicle can safely implement instructions associated with changing the first driving route; and   prior to the second time, directing the vehicle to the desired destination using a second driving route associated with the predicted location of the vehicle.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein predicting the location of the vehicle at the second time, includes determining a time duration between the first time and the second time based on an estimated route determination time and an estimated driver reaction time. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein predicting the location of the vehicle at the second time includes determining a current state of the vehicle based on data received from the wireless communication device. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein predicting the location of the vehicle at the second time includes determining environmental conditions that may affect an implementation of the instructions associated with changes in the first driving route. 
     
     
         41 . A system for directing ridesharing vehicles, the system comprising:
 a communications interface for receiving shared-ride requests from a plurality of users;   at least one processor configured to:
 receive, via the communications interface, a first request for a shared-ride from a first user, the first request including information for a first starting point and a first desired destination; 
 receive current vehicle location data for a fleet of ridesharing vehicles, wherein the current vehicle location data includes global positioning system (GPS) data generated by at least one GPS component associated with each ridesharing vehicle; 
 electronically assign a ridesharing vehicle to pick up the first user and determine a driving route for transporting the first user, wherein the driving route includes a first pick-up location and a first drop-off location for the first user; 
 determine a target arrival time at the first drop-off location; 
 receive, via the communications interface, a second request for a shared-ride from a second user, the second request including information related to a second starting point and a second desired destination of the second user; 
 calculate an estimated delay that would be caused to the first user by picking up of the second user; 
 determine whether the delay would cause the first user to arrive at the first drop-off location after the target arrival time; 
 determine that picking up the second user will not cause the first user to arrive at the first drop-off location after the target arrival time and electronically assign the ridesharing vehicle to pick up the second user; and 
 direct the ridesharing vehicle according to an updated driving route that includes a second pick-up location and a second drop-off location for the second user. 
   
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the first request includes an indication of a desire of the first user to make a connection to public transportation, and wherein the target arrival time is determined to enable the desired connection. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to access a public transportation schedule including a schedule for a specific public transportation vehicle; and
 determine the targeted arrival time based on the public transportation schedule to enable the first user to arrive on time for the specific public transportation vehicle.   
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine the first drop-off location based on the schedule of the specific public transportation vehicle. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to take into account a stored orientation time factor when determining the target arrival time at the first drop-off location. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to send the first user an indication of a departure time of the specific public transportation vehicle. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to send the first user an indication of an expected time of arrival at the first desired destination of the first user following use of the specific public transportation vehicle. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to obtain real-time updates of the public transportation schedule and to determine the target arrival time based on the real-time updates of the schedule of the specific public transportation vehicle. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine an updated target arrival time based on the real-time updates of the schedule of the specific public transportation vehicle and to cancel the assignment of the second user when the updated target arrival time is earlier than the previously determined target arrival time. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine an updated target arrival time based on the real-time updates of the schedule of the specific public transportation vehicle and to assign a third user to pick up before arriving at the first drop-off location when the updated target arrival time is later than the previously determined target arrival time. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to update the driving route for the ridesharing vehicle such that the second user is picked up at the second pick-up location before the first user arrives at the first drop-off location. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to update the driving route for the ridesharing vehicle such that the second user is dropped off at the second drop-off location before the first user arrives at the first drop-off location. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to send to the first user an indication of a guaranteed arrival time associated with a transfer to a second ridesharing vehicle to complete a ride of the first user. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive updates on a current location of the second ridesharing vehicle and to reassign the second user to a different ridesharing vehicle based on predicted arrival times of the first and second ridesharing vehicles at a passenger transfer location. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 receive updated information associated with the first user before picking up the first user;   determine, based on the received updated information associated with the first user, that a schedule change to the first user or the second user that will result from continuing the updated driving route exceeds a threshold;   modify the updated driving route by skipping the first pick-up location or the second pick-up location; and   direct the ridesharing vehicle according to the modified driving route.   
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 electronically assign a second ridesharing vehicle to pick up the first user or the second user.   
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein:
 the first request includes an indication that the first user will arrive at the first starting point or the first pick-up location using a public transportation; and   the received updated information associated with the first user includes updated information relating to the public transportation arriving near the first starting point or the first pick-up location.   
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein:
 before picking up the first user, the ridesharing vehicle has an existing user, and   the at least one processor is further configured to:
 receive updated information associated with the first user or the second user; 
 determine, based on the received updated information associated with the first user or the second user, that a delay to at least one of the existing user, the first user, or the second user that will result from continuing the updated driving route exceeds a delay threshold; 
 modify the updated driving route by skipping the first pick-up location or the second pick-up location; and 
 direct the ridesharing vehicle according to the modified driving route. 
   
     
     
         59 . A method for directing ridesharing vehicles, the method comprising:
 receiving a first request for a shared-ride from a first user, the first request including information for a first starting point and a first desired destination;   receiving current vehicle location data for a fleet of ridesharing vehicles, wherein the current vehicle location data includes global positioning system (GPS) data generated by at least one GPS component associated with each ridesharing vehicle;   electronically assigning a ridesharing vehicle to pick up the first user and determine a driving route for transporting the first user, wherein the driving route includes a first pick-up location and a first drop-off location for the first user;   determining for the first user a target arrival time at the first drop-off location;   receiving a second request for a shared-ride from a second user, the second request including information related to a second starting point and a second desired destination of the second user;   calculating an estimated delay that would be caused to the first user by picking up of the second user;   determining whether the delay would cause the first user to arrive at the first drop-off location after the target arrival time;   when picking up the second user is determined not to cause the first user to arrive at the first drop-off location after the target arrival time, electronically assigning the ridesharing vehicle to pick up the second user; and   directing the ridesharing vehicle according to an updated driving route that includes a second pick-up location and a second drop-off location for the second user.   
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein when the first request includes an indication of a desire of the first user to make a connection to public transportation, the method further comprising:
 accessing a public transportation schedule including a schedule of a specific public transportation ride; and   determining the target arrival time to enable the first user to get on the specific public transportation vehicle.   
     
     
         61 . A system for directing ridesharing vehicles, the system comprising:
 a communications interface configured to:
 receive a ride request from a user, wherein the ride request includes a desired destination and information associated with a current location of the user; and 
 receive location information of a first group of on-demand ridesharing vehicles and a second group of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles; 
   at least one processor configured to:
 based on the received location information, identify a fixed-line ridesharing vehicle available to pick-up the user from a first pick-up location other than the current location of the user; 
 based on the received location information, identify an on-demand ridesharing vehicle available to pick-up the user from a second pick-up location other than the current location of the user; 
 determine a first value indicative of a time duration for the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle to arrive at the first pick-up location; 
 determine a second value indicative of a time duration for the on-demand ridesharing vehicle to arrive at the second pick-up location; and 
 when the first value is less than the second value, inform the user that the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle is enroute and direct the user to the first pick-up location. 
   
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein:
 when the first value is greater than the second value but below a waiting threshold, inform the user that the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle is enroute and direct the user to the first pick-up location.   
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein when the first value is greater than the second value and greater than the waiting threshold, the at least one processor is further configured to inform the user that the on-demand ridesharing vehicle is enroute and direct the user to the second pick-up location. 
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine a value for the waiting threshold based on one or more environment conditions. 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to electronically assign the on-demand ridesharing vehicle to pick up the user, and wherein the assignment includes determining a drop-off location at a location other than the desired destination for the user and is associated with a driving route in which the user shares at least a portion of a ride with at least two other users. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 access historical demand data for ridesharing vehicles in a geographical area associated with the current location of the user;   determine that the on-demand ridesharing vehicle can pick the user at a first pick-up time;   use the historical demand data to predict near-future demand for ridesharing requests in the geographical area; and   direct the on-demand ridesharing vehicle to pick up the user at a second pick-up time later than the first pick-up time.   
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 66 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine the second pick-up time such that a waiting time of the user is less than the waiting threshold. 
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 66 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine the second pick-up time based on a departure time of a fixed-line ridesharing vehicle from the geographical area to create a time interval between a departure time of the on-demand ridesharing vehicle and the departure time of the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle. 
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 66 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine the second pick-up time based on a departure time of another on-demand ridesharing vehicle from the geographical area to create spacing in departure times of on-demand ridesharing vehicles. 
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 69 , wherein the spacing in the departure times of on-demand ridesharing vehicles is based on at least some of: volume of the near-future demand, number of on-demand ridesharing vehicles, number of alternative routes, time of day, day of week, and anticipated speeds of the on-demand ridesharing vehicles. 
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to confirm that the first value is greater than a time duration for the user to walk for the first pick-up location and that the second value is greater than a time duration it would take the user to walk for the second pick-up location. 
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 obtain an indication of a current utilized capacity of the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle; and   assign the on-demand ridesharing vehicle to pick up the user when the first value is less than the second value but the current utilized capacity of the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle is greater than a capacity threshold.   
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 obtain an indication of a current utilized capacity of the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle; and   inform the user that the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle is enroute and direct the user to the first pick-up location when the first value is more than the second value but the current utilized capacity of the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle is below a capacity threshold.   
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: estimate a travel duration for the user to reach the desired destination when traveling in the on-demand ridesharing vehicle and a travel duration for the user to reach the desired destination when traveling in the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle; and
 assign the on-demand ridesharing vehicle to pick up the user when the first value is less than the second value but the travel duration when the user travels in the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle is greater than the travel duration when the user travels in the on-demand ridesharing vehicle.   
     
     
         75 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the first pick-up location and the second pick-up location are located on a same street. 
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the first pick-up location and the second pick-up location are located on different streets. 
     
     
         77 . A method for directing ridesharing vehicles, the method comprising:
 receiving a ride request from a user, wherein the ride request includes a desired destination and information associated with a current location of the user;   receiving location information of a first group of on-demand ridesharing vehicles and a second group of fixed-lines ridesharing vehicles;   based on the received location information, identifying a fixed-line ridesharing vehicle available to pick-up the user from a first pick-up location other than the current location of the user;   based on the received location information, identifying an on-demand ridesharing vehicle available to pick-up the user from a second pick-up location other than the current location of the user;   determining a first value indicative of a time duration for the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle to arrive at the first pick-up location;   determining a second value indicative of a time duration for the on-demand ridesharing vehicle to arrive at the second pick-up location; and   when the first value is less than the second value, informing the user that the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle is enroute and directing the user to the first pick-up location.   
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 77 , further comprising:
 when the first value is greater than the second value but below a waiting threshold, informing the user that the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle is enroute and directing the user to the first pick-up location; and   when the first value is greater than the second value and greater than the waiting threshold, informing the user that the on-demand ridesharing vehicle is enroute and directing the user to the second pick-up location.   
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 78 , further comprising:
 assigning the on-demand ridesharing vehicle to pick up the user, wherein the assignment includes determining a drop-off location at a location other than the desired destination for the user and is associated with a driving route in which the user shares at least a portion of a ride with at least two other users.   
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 77 , further comprising:
 obtaining an indication of a current utilized capacity at the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle; and   assigning the on-demand ridesharing vehicle to pick up the user when the first value is less than the second value but the current utilized capacity of the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle is greater than a capacity threshold.   
     
     
         81 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method for directing ridesharing vehicles, the method comprising:
 receiving a ride request from a user, wherein the ride request includes a desired destination and information associated with a current location of the user;   receiving location information of a first group of on-demand ridesharing vehicles and a second group of fixed-lines ridesharing vehicles;   based on the received location information, identifying a fixed-line ridesharing vehicle available to pick-up the user from a first pick-up location other than the current location of the user;   based on the received location information, identifying an on-demand ridesharing vehicle available to pick-up the user from a second pick-up location other than the current location of the user;   determining a first value indicative of a time duration for the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle to arrive at the first pick-up location;   determining a second value indicative of a time duration for the on-demand ridesharing vehicle to arrive at the second pick-up location; and   when the first value is less than the second value, informing the user that the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle is enroute and directing the user to the first pick-up location.   
     
     
         82 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 81 , to the method further comprising:
 estimating a first walking distance for the user when traveling in the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle and a second walking distance for the user to reach the desired destination when traveling in the on-demand ridesharing vehicle; and   assigning the on-demand ridesharing vehicle to pick up the user when the first value is less than the second value but the first walking distance is greater than the second walking distance or when a combination of the first value and the first walking distance is higher than a combination of the second value and the second walking distance.   
     
     
         83 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 82 , wherein the first walking distance comprises a distance for the user to reach the pick-up location associated with the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle and the second walking distance comprises a distance for the user to reach the pick-up location associated with the on-demand ridesharing vehicle. 
     
     
         84 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 82 , wherein the first walking distance comprises a distance for the user to reach the desired destination from a drop-up location associated with the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle and the second walking distance comprises a distance for the user to reach the desired destination from a drop-up location associated with the on-demand ridesharing vehicle. 
     
     
         85 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 82 , wherein the first walking distance comprises a combined distance for the user to reach the pick-up location associated with the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle and a distance for the user to reach the desired destination from a drop-up location associated with the fixed-line ridesharing vehicle and the second walking distance comprises a combined distance for the user to reach the pick-up location associated with the on-demand ridesharing vehicle and a distance for the user to reach the desired destination from a drop-up location associated with the on-demand ridesharing vehicle. 
     
     
         86 . A system for directing ridesharing vehicles, the system comprising:
 a communications interface configured to:
 receive information indicative of an event associated with atypical demand for transportation; 
 receive location information from a plurality of communication devices associated with a plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles; 
   at least one processor configured to:
 determine an inability of one or more fixed-line ridesharing vehicles in the plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles to address the atypical demand for transportation; 
 access data identifying predetermined driving routes of the plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles; 
 based on the accessed data, select a fixed-line ridesharing vehicle to temporarily cease driving along its predetermined driving route; 
 compensate for the inability of the one or more fixed-line ridesharing vehicles in the plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles to address the atypical demand for transportation by directing the selected fixed-line ridesharing vehicle along a new driving route that differs from the predetermined driving route; and 
 after abatement of the inability, terminate travel of the selected fixed-line ridesharing vehicle along the new driving route and direct the selected fixed-line ridesharing vehicle to return to traveling according to its predetermined driving route. 
   
     
     
         87 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein the event associated with the atypical demand for transportation includes at least one of: a temporary disruption of a public transportation service, a terror attack, a severe weather event. 
     
     
         88 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein the information indicative of the event associated with atypical demand for transportation is received from communication devices of a plurality of users in need for transportation. 
     
     
         89 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein the information indicative of the event associated with atypical demand for transportation is received from an entity associated with a municipal office. 
     
     
         90 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein the information indicative of the event associated with atypical demand for transportation is received from an emergency dispatch center. 
     
     
         91 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein the event associated with the atypical demand for transportation is associated with a specific location and the inability of the plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles to address the atypical demand for transportation is caused at least partially by the event causing at least portions of the predetermined driving routes of the plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles to become unavailable. 
     
     
         92 . The system of  claim 91 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to:
 determine the new driving route for the selected fixed-line ridesharing vehicle based on the specific location and at least one current traffic condition.   
     
     
         93 . The system of  claim 91 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to compensate for the inability of the one or more fixed-line ridesharing vehicles in the plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles to address the atypical demand for transportation by directing a selected group of on-demand ridesharing vehicles toward the specific location. 
     
     
         94 . The system of  claim 93 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to reassign users scheduled to be picked up by the selected group of on-demand ridesharing vehicles to different on-demand ridesharing vehicles. 
     
     
         95 . The system of  claim 91 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to compensate for the inability of the one or more fixed-line ridesharing vehicles in the plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles to address the atypical demand for transportation by directing a selected group of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles toward the specific location. 
     
     
         96 . The system of  claim 95 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to:
 obtain information indicative of current utilized capacity of the plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles; and   select the group of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles further based on the obtained information.   
     
     
         97 . The system of  claim 96 , wherein the group of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles includes at least one fixed-line ridesharing vehicle without passengers and at least one fixed-line ridesharing vehicle with passengers traveling to differing locations associated with differing predetermined driving routes. 
     
     
         98 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein the event associated with the atypical demand for transportation is associated with a geographic area and the inability of the
 plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles to address the atypical demand for transportation is caused at least partially due to a low frequency of the plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles passing through the geographic area.   
     
     
         99 . The system of  claim 98 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to:
 determine the new driving route for the selected fixed-line ridesharing vehicle based on a distribution of users in need for transportation within the geographic area and at least one current traffic condition.   
     
     
         100 . A method for directing ridesharing vehicles, the method comprising:
 receiving information indicative of an event associated with atypical demand for transportation;   receiving location information from a plurality of communication devices associated with a plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles;   determining an inability of one or more fixed-line ridesharing vehicles in the plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles to address the atypical demand for transportation;   accessing data identifying predetermined driving routes of the plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles;   based on the accessed data, selecting a fixed-line ridesharing vehicle to temporarily cease driving along its predetermined driving route;   compensating for the inability of the one or more fixed-line ridesharing vehicles in the plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles to address the atypical demand for transportation by directing the selected fixed-line ridesharing vehicle along a new driving route that differs from the predetermined driving route; and   after abatement of the inability, terminating travel of the selected fixed-line ridesharing vehicle along the new driving route and direct the selected fixed-line ridesharing vehicle to return to traveling according to its predetermined driving route.   
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 100 , wherein the information indicative of the event associated with atypical demand for transportation is received from at least one of: a plurality of communication devices of a plurality of users in need for transportation, an entity associated with a municipal office, an emergency dispatch center. 
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 100 , wherein the event associated with the atypical demand for transportation is associated with a specific location and the inability of the plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles to address the atypical demand for transportation is caused at least partially by the event causing at least portions of the predetermined driving routes of the plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles to become unavailable. 
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 102 , further comprising:
 compensating for the inability of the plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles to address the atypical demand for transportation by directing a selected group of on-demand ridesharing vehicles toward the specific location.   
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 103 , further comprising:
 reassigning users scheduled to be pick-up by the selected group of on-demand ridesharing vehicles to different on-demand ridesharing vehicles; and   changing the drop-off locations of users currently riding the selected group of on-demand to locations along new driving routes toward the specific location.   
     
     
         105 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method for directing ridesharing vehicles, the method comprising:
 receiving location information from a plurality of communication devices associated with a plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles;   determining an inability of one or more fixed-line ridesharing vehicles in the plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles to address the atypical demand for transportation;   accessing data identifying predetermined driving routes of the plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles;   based on the accessed data, selecting a fixed-line ridesharing vehicle to temporarily cease driving along its predetermined driving route;   compensating for the inability of the one or more fixed-line ridesharing vehicles in the plurality of fixed-line ridesharing vehicles to address the atypical demand for transportation by directing the selected fixed-line ridesharing vehicle along a new driving route that differs from the predetermined driving route; and   after abatement of the inability, terminating travel of the selected fixed-line ridesharing vehicle along the new driving route and direct the selected fixed-line ridesharing vehicle to return to traveling according to its predetermined driving route.