SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING MISSION PLANNING, TASK MANAGEMENT AND ROUTING FOR AUTONOMOUS YARD TRUCKS

This invention provides system and method for optimizing the operation of a shipping facility having trailers that are handled using AV yard trucks. The optimization can be focused on critical time periods where demand for AV yard trucks is high. In non-critical times the AV yard truck(s) can "recover" and "re-stage" within the yard to prepare for future critical times. Unlike human drivers who typically need to remember where to deposit empty trailers for a particular OTR carrier, the zones established with an automated yard system and optimization techniques herein can allow for freer placement of trailers in a manner that best serves the overall schedule of the yard facility. The optimization can be based upon time/overhead costs for differing tasks and determining how to minimize such costs by optimizing assignment of tasks to AV yard trucks on a truck-by-truck basis and in an order that minimizes such costs.