Experimental Validation of Travel Time Models for Shuttle-based Automated Storage and Retrieval System

In this paper, we aim to validate travel time models for single and dual command cycle displacements of lifts and shuttles in a shuttle-based automated storage and retrieval system (SBS/RS) by using experimental computer simulation. The models under consideration take into account acceleration and deceleration delays. We use ARENA 12 software for the simulation modeling. By simulation, we emulate the real functioning of the system. Therefore, we assume that the results from the ARENA simulation are equivalent to the onsite experimentation. Simulation results are very close to those obtained by analytical travel time models. This shows the high precision of these models to predict operations of SBS/RS.These models can be used at design or operation phases to calculate throughput of the system, to compare between different topologies of SBS/RS or with other types of AS/RS to help decision makers to choose among different alternatives of automated storage systems