(The) impact of the acceleration/deceleration on travel time models for carousel system

Abstract

Carousel systems have become popular on account of their efficiency and relatively low cost. All these previous studies assumed the average uniform velocity, ignoring the operating characteristics of carousel body movement such as the acceleration/deceleration rate and the maximum velocity. Consequently, the optimal design and schedule based on the existing models is far from optimum from the practical point of view. So, this paper develops two kinds of analytical travel time models integrating the operating characteristics of carousel body movement. The first model assumes a finite maximum rotating speed and considers two types of velocity - rotating time relationships The second model deals with one case where the relationship of travel distance and travel time is used to approximate the speed profile. With randomized assignment policy, the expected travel times are determined for both single and dual command cycles. The models developed are examined through discrete evaluation procedures.