AMR, AGV & Intralogistics Automation worked example

Pickup and Dropoff Cycle Time Calculator at 23% queue, docking, and alignment allowance: a worked example

What does the result look like when queue, docking, and alignment allowance reaches 23%? The full calculation is worked below with real intermediate numbers. an automation engineer needs to estimate handoff time for AMR or AGV mission planning

The inputs for this scenario

  • Pickup/dropoff handoffs: 720 handoffs (unchanged)
  • Handoff processing rate: 6 handoffs/min (unchanged)
  • Queue, docking, and alignment allowance: 23 % (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 20)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Base handoff processing time = pickup/dropoff handoffs รท handoff processing rate) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 148 hr for adjusted pickup/dropoff cycle time, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 120 hr for base handoff processing time.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 23 % for delay or handoff allowance.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 6 handoffs/min for handoff processing rate.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where queue, docking, and alignment allowance sits at 20% and the headline result is 144 hr, this scenario comes in 2.5% above the baseline at 148 hr.
  • A figure at this level is achievable when queue, docking, and alignment allowance is genuinely sustained, not just peaked for a shift. A flat processing rate and single allowance cannot model congestion that grows non-linearly as more vehicles contend for the same pickup or dropoff station.

Results at a glance

  • Adjusted pickup/dropoff cycle time: 148 hr (headline result)
  • Base handoff processing time: 120 hr
  • Delay or handoff allowance: 23 %
  • Handoff processing rate: 6 handoffs/min

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Pickup and Dropoff Cycle Time Calculator calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.