The performance of multiple-load AGV systems under different guide path configurations and vehicle control strategies

The majority of research on multiple-load Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) systems has been focused on vehicle control problems. None of it investigates how well multiple-load AGVs will perform under different guide path configurations and different vehicle control strategies (i.e. dispatching rules and load selection and delivery rules). This paper investigates the performance of multiple-load AGV systems in two configurations – unidirectional single loop (SL) and segmented bi-directional single loop (SBSL). Simulation experiments are conducted to study the performance of multiple-load AGVs in these guide path configurations when different combinations of dispatching rules and load selection and delivery rules are applied. Based on this study, one is able to select good control strategies for multiple-load AGV systems with SL guide paths or SBSL guide paths.