Multi-Attribute Dispatching Rules For Agv Systems With Many Vehicles

Internal transport systems using automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are widely used in many facilities such as warehouses, distribution centers and transshipment terminals. Most AGV systems use online dispatching rules to control vehicle movements. In literature, there are many types of dispatching rules such as single- and multi-attribute dispatching rules. However, a dispatching rule that is good for all cases does not exist. In this research, we study a specific type of AGV environments which has not received much attention from researchers - AGV systems with many vehicles as can be seen in airport baggage handling systems. We propose two new multi-attribute dispatching rules for this type of environment and compare their performance with that of two of the best dispatching rules in literature. Using simulation we show that the new multi-attribute dispatching rules are robust and perform very well.