An Improved Acceleration Method Based on Multi-Agent System for AGVs Conflict-Free Path Planning in Automated Terminals

Abstract

Aiming at the problem that the increasing number of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) will lead to more frequent conflicts between AGVs. In this paper, a conflict-free path planning model for multi-AGV is established, aiming to minimize the blocking rate of AGVs between the quay crane and the yard crane, considering the travel speed, operation time, and conflict distance of AGVs. An architecture of AGV's system based on Multi-Agent System (MAS) is designed, the improved interactive protocol based on blackboard model is used as the communication method of AGV, the improved acceleration control method is combined with the AGV priority determination method based on time cost as the negotiation strategy of AGV, the improved Dijkstra algorithm calculates the conflict-free path of each AGV. By comparing the acceleration control method based on MAS with the speed control method based on MAS and the task priority control method, the effectiveness of this method for solving multiple AGVs conflict-free path planning in automated terminals is verified.