Patent ID: 6311102
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: B61B,B65G

Abstract:
A physical distribution/transportation system comprising:a plurality of nodes;a dedicated traveling line for connecting the plurality of nodes;pallet vehicles which travel between the plurality of nodes along the dedicated traveling line; andtravel controlling means for controlling operation of the pallet vehicles between the plurality of nodes,the plurality of nodes including a specific node provided so as to correspond to a specific area,the specific node being provided with a dedicated traveling line connected thereto, for loading and unloading cargoes of the pallet vehicle, and an ordinary traveling line connected thereto, for the ordinary vehicle which at least one of collects a cargo from a delivery destination within a specific are and delivers a cargo to delivery destination within a specific area,the dedicated traveling line being arranged on one side of the specific node,the ordinary traveling line being arranged on the other side of the specific node opposed to the one side so as to be nearly parallel to the dedicated traveling line and move in a direction opposite to that of the dedicated traveling line,the travel controlling means controlling operation of the pallet vehicles which travel the dedicated traveling line, based on transporting party information and transported destination information regarding the delivery cargoes,wherein when a cargo is delivered from a shipment party of a first specific area to a delivery destination of a second specific area, the cargo is collected from the shipment party to a first specific node corresponding to the first specific area by an ordinary vehicle, transported by the pallet vehicle between the first specific node and a second specific node corresponding to the second specific area, and delivered by the ordinary vehicle from the second specific node to the delivery destination.