Potentials for bi-directional guide-path for automated guided vehicle based systems

Abstract

Most current applications of automated guided vehicle systems (AGVS) in manufacturing shop environments employ uni-directional guide-paths for vehicle routing despite the fact that bi-directional vehicles exist. In this paper comparisons and issues regarding unidirectional and bi-directional flows are presented. Also presented is a model of a bi-directional traffic flow guide-path. The effect of the traffic flow pattern on the shop throughput is demonstrated and compared to that of a uni-directional flow system of an equivalent facility. The model is implemented using computer simulation.