A PC Based Implementation of the Control Zone Model for AGVS Design

A computerized decision support system is introduced for implementation of the zone control model for AGVS design. A hypothetical design problem is introduced and defined in terms compatible with the system database. The application of the computer model is illustrated through a series of six adjustments in the original design profile corresponding to variation in AGVS design variables including guidepath layout, vehicle routing, vehicle dispatching, and load transfer point location. For each variation, the package is used to study the performance of the proposed system including gridlocking risk factors and the minimum vehicle fleet size needed to meet a fixed throughput requirement.