Intelligent infrastructures: distributed intelligence in transport system control - an illustrative example

The intelligent infrastructures research program aims at developing theory and applications concerning novel intelligent modes for control and management of the utilization of infrastructures, such as road, rail, energy, water and telecom. As an illustrative example of research topics within the scope of this program, distributed anticipatory control for automated guided vehicles is discussed. Today transport systems using automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are centrally controlled and use a fixed infrastructure. Substantial efforts are therefore necessary if expansion or a change in system layout is required. In addition, incidents cannot be handled as part of the common routine. To overcome these problems a distributed anticipatory control method for AGVs is called for. According to this method every AGV is made responsible for its own path planning and collision avoidance. A simulation model is set up to compare this method with the traditional, centrally controlled, method. In the paper preliminary results are shown and recommendations for further research are given.