Route Management Manual

Facility

Doors and Overhead Clearances

You may need to train routes through doorways or underneath areas of low overhead clearance. When assessing th e facility, make sure that the truck and its maximum size load have adequate clearance before training routes through these areas. See page12 for overall truck height.

CAUTION: Never operate this truc k in Automatic Mode in highway trucks, trailers, or railroad cars.

Doors subject to automatic actuation an d blind corners should have suitable audible and/or visual alarms to anticipate the approach of the automatic vehicle or door actuation. Opening an d closing of powered or non-powered doors should be accomplished in a manner that alerts or restricts personnel near the doorway.

When training a route through a doorway with an automatically actuated powered door, program a Timed Pause Be havior long enough to make sure that the door is fully opened before resuming travel.

Keep automated trucks clear of fire aisles, doors, access to stairways, and fire equipment. When training near these areas, take care to train the path to avoid blocking the entrance or exit to these areas.

Hazardous Zones and Restricted Areas

Hazardous Zones and Restricted Areas are identified for the benefit of pedestrians.

A Hazardous Zone is defined as an area in th e facility, along the automated truck path, with limited clearance. Th e ANSI standard defines an area of limited clearance as less than 19.6 inch es (0.5 m). Due to variability in the path followed by the vehicle, training of multiple vehicles, an d other factors, it is recommended that any path planned to be within 29 inches (0.7 m) of an object be designated as a hazardous zone or the path of each vehicle in automatic mode be verified to make sure it does not result in a clearance of less than 26 inches (0.6 m). If less than 26 inches, the route must be retrained or marked as a Hazardous Zone. It is recommended that every route is verified when Route Transfer is used.

When a hazardous zone cannot be avoided, it is recommended to train at least 6 inches (0.2 m) away from any obstruction.

Travel speed must be reduced to no more than 0.67 mph (0.3 m/s) in Hazardous Zones. The Slow Travel Behavior should be used to make sure the appropriate maximum speed is maintained through Hazardous Zones (see “Slow Travel” on page22). Use extreme caution if you enter a Hazardous Zone. Exit the Hazardous Zone if an automated truck approaches.

A Restricted Area is a Hazardous Zone where no escape route is available.

Unauthorized personnel are prohibited from entering Restricted Areas. Authorized personnel shall only enter Restricted Areas when following the appropriate protection measures agreed upon by the user and the system supplier.

Hazardous Zones and/or Restricted Area s will be designated as such by the User and System Supplier during the design, installation, and start up phases. While planning routes with the facility layout (see “Assessing the Existing Facility Layout” on page35 “), identify potential areas where Hazardous Zones or Restricted Areas may be generated. Walk the planned route and take measurements to confirm; also identify and confirm other areas that may be Hazardous Zones or Restricted Areas.

It is the responsibility of the user to cause these areas to be clearly marked consistent with B56.5. Refer to “Selected B56.5 Regulations” in the back of this book (beginning on page111). Confusion with other markings and signs should be avoided. Pedestrian training should include information on how Hazardous Zones and Restricted Areas are marked in the specific facility. See “Existing Markings and Signage” on page41.

After truck installation and ro ute training is completed (see “Training the Truck” on page63 , send the automated truck on each route. Measure the truck’s distance along the path and verify all Hazardous Zones and Restricted Areas are designated appropriately on the Facility Route Map. Identify any new Hazardous Zones and/or Restricted Areas that may have been generated. It is the user’s responsibility to clearly mark these areas as stated previously.

It is the responsibility of the user to maintain system documentation with regard to initial and new Hazardous Zones and/or Restrict ed Areas that may be generated by the user following system acceptance; these new areas should be marked in a similar fashion.

Unrecognized Hazardous Zones or Restricted Areas may be generated if obstructions are placed on or near the path of the automated truck after initial verification. Good housekeeping practices are recommended along the automated truck’s path.