Abstract: The present invention may enable the efficient allocation of a plurality of vehicles (300) to a plurality of passengers (100) traveling between independent origins and destinations. In one or more embodiments, the method may collect the locations of vehicles (300), and the origins and destinations of traveling parties (100). The method may generate a set of routes that it deems superior to other known sets of routes, making use of an electronic map (202), which may provide street lengths, estimated travel times, and estimated costs along streets.

Abstract: The present invention may enable the efficient allocation of a plurality of vehicles (300) to a plurality of passengers (100) traveling between independent origins and destinations. In one or more embodiments, the method may collect the locations of vehicles(300), and the origins and destinations of traveling parties(100). The method may generate a set of routes that it deems superior to other known sets of routes, making use of an electronic map(202), which will provide street lengths, estimated travel times, and estimated costs along streets. Each route may include a carrying vehicle equipped with a console(300), and that carrying vehicle's console(300) may be wirelessly sent information identifying the origins and destinations of the parties(100) which that carrying vehicle is to transport, thus dispatching the vehicle. The method may use one of several metrics to determine length or cost along a route, and it may use them alone or in combination.