Minimum empty distance dispatching rules for a single loop–single vehicle automated guided vehicles system

In this paper, new dispatching rules for an SLSV (Single Loop–Single Vehicle) AGV system, called MAED (Minimum Average of Empty Distance) and MSED (Minimum Sum of Empty Distance) rules, are developed. A SLSV AGV system consists of segmented bi-directional single loops, in which only one AGV is assigned. The MAED rule minimizes the average empty vehicle travel time per stage (one delivery between workstations), and the MSED rule minimizes the sum of empty vehicle travel time. Using simulation, the performance of new dispatching rules is compared with that of the most popular STT/D (Shortest Travel Time/Distance) rule. The results show better performance of new dispatching rules.