An integrated model predictive scheme for baggage-handling systems: Routing, line balancing, and empty-cart management

Reference:
Y. Zeinaly, B. De Schutter, and H. Hellendoorn, "An integrated model predictive scheme for baggage-handling systems: Routing, line balancing, and empty-cart management," IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology, vol. 23, no. 4, pp. 1536-1545, July 2015.

Abstract:
This paper proposes a new strategy for integrated control of baggage handling systems. Three main control issues in baggage handling systems, namely, routing and scheduling, empty-cart management, and line balancing, are identified and a combined control approach based on model predictive control is proposed to tackle these issues in an optimal way. It is shown that the control approach can be formulated as a linear programming problem, which can be solved very efficiently, and hence the proposed approach can be extended to large-scale baggage handling systems. We illustrate the applicability and performance of the proposed approach by a case study, and we compare the results with the state-of-the-art method currently used for baggage handling systems.