A real time traffic control scheme for a multiple AGV system

The conflict-free minimum-time motion planning problem in a multiple AGV system using zone control requires a traffic control scheme based upon a non-search technique, since the number of nodes contained in the network model for its guidepath is considerably large. The traffic control scheme presented in this paper partitions the overall task into two constituent tasks of path generation and traffic control. The Path Generator employs a k-shortest path search algorithm to construct path sets between all possible station node pairs. The path generation process is performed in off-line. Occupation times for each link are calculated and stored in a link occupation table which is represented from a link-oriented viewpoint. The traffic controller examines the link occupation table and dispatches AGVs in a conflict-free minimum-time path. The on-line motion planning operation is performed in real time