Optimal control policies for automated storage/retrieval system using PN models and stochastic optimization

Considers the stochastic optimization approach for the optimal selection of dispatching rules of a robot handler in an automatic storage/retrieval system represented by a Petri Net (PN). In particular, the authors propose a combined simulation and optimization algorithm aimed at solving the conflict situations arising in the system due to simultaneous requests of the robot from objects in different queues. The theoretical optimization criteria are presented along with a case study