METHOD OF NAVIGATING AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE TO PASSENGER PICKUP / DROP-OFF LOCATION

A ride service system will determine a stopping location for an autonomous vehicle (AV) before the AV picks up a passenger in response to a ride service request. The system will determine a pickup area for the request, along with a loading point within a pickup area, and the AV will navigate along the route toward the pickup area. Before the AV reaches the pickup area, the system will determine whether it received a departure confirmation indicating that the passenger is at the loading point. If the system received the departure confirmation, the AV will navigate into the pickup area and stop at the loading point; otherwise, the AV will either (a) navigate to an intermediate stopping location before reaching the pickup area or (b) pass through the pickup area.