Simulation-Based AGV Dispatching in Automated Container Terminal

Dispatching of Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) is a key decision problem in Automated Container Terminal. In view that existing event-driven AGV dispatching methods may lead to remarkable quay crane waiting for tardy AGV, and existing once-for-all dispatching methods are not suitable for real automated container terminal, a simulation-based AGV dispatching method is proposed in this paper. In this method, AGV arrival time at quay cranes is repeatedly re-estimated after allocation, and AGVs are allocated in a way that waiting time of quay cranes could be minimized. Results of comparative experiments shows that, this simulation-based method outperforms some other rule-based method, in perfectly keeping quay cranes out of waiting for tardy AGVs, and in slightly shortening finish time of vessel handling. This method is now applied to some real automated container terminal.