An Improved Shuffled Frog Leaping Algorithm for Multiload AGV Dispatching in Automated Container Terminals

Abstract

Multiload AGVs, which can carry more than one container at a time, are widely used in automated container terminals. The dispatching decisions for multiload AGVs serving in automated container terminals on the target of minimum travel distance are significant in the process of container transportation in terms of improving operating efficiency. Previous work usually focused on AGVs working in a single-carrier mode, which was not only inconsistent with actual circumstances but also a waste of resources. In this paper, we establish a new mathematical model to describe multiload AGVs operating in automated container terminals, which is closer to the actual situation in real terminals. Based on this improved model, we propose a priority rule-based algorithm, termed as shuffled frog leaping algorithm with a mutant process (SFLAMUT), which can increase the diversity of the population and improve the convergence rate. Experiments were carried out based on data generated randomly according to the working properties of container terminals, and it is observed that the proposed SFLAMUT presents an effective and efficient exploration process and yields promising results in solving the proposed mathematical model.

A goal-programming based optimal port docking scheme under COVID-19

“… Jin and Mi (2019) constructed a multi-objective integer programming model with the objective of minimizing the sum of container handling capacity, AGV movement and weight differences between containers, and they transformed it into linear constraints for solution, which has great practical value for improving port productivity. Ma et al (2020) established a mathematical model for the operation of multi load AGV in the automatic container terminal with the minimum moving distance as the goal, and used a mutation frog jump algorithm based on priority rules to solve it, which is of great significance to improve the operational efficiency. Xu et al (2020) pointed out that efficient AGV scheduling is the key to improving the throughput of automated container terminals, and the realization of two-way loading of AGV can significantly improve the port handling efficiency.…”

Automated Container Terminal Production Operation and Optimization via an AdaBoost-Based Digital Twin Framework

“…e speed of handling device, waiting time between devices, failure rate, and other factors will cause the change of target value. After obtaining the historical data of terminal operation, the missing data will be supplemented by Equation (6).…”

“…Zhong et al [5] established the architecture of commandand-control system using the multiagent technology and realized the improvement of operation efficiency when ensuring the safe operation of the terminal. Ma et al [6] used the mutation hybrid frog leaping algorithm to improve the efficiency of horizontal transportation. However, researchers mostly focus on the analysis of historical data and seldom consider the real-time and virtual data for the operation of the ACT.…”

“…is adds the difficulty to control the real-time process of the ACT. Under some specific assumptions, mathematical models and algorithms [6,8] are used to improve the operation efficiency, which is not consistent with the actual engineering application.…”

A dynamic integrated scheduling method based on hierarchical planning for heterogeneous AGV fleets in warehouses

“…Motivated by our collaboration with the TC, the main novelty of our problem setting in contrast to the existing literature is constituted by the combination of the following features. First, we specifically focused on solving the scheduling problems right on time, whereas the methods in most studies consume unreasonable computational effort, in particular, some exact methods (Schiffer and Walther, 2017 ; Ma et al, 2020 ; Singh et al, 2022 ). Second, the AGVs considered in this study are heterogeneous in terms of battery management, travel speed, and capabilities to perform transportation of different types of materials, which increases the complexity of the problem.…”