System and method for automated parcel loading and transport

A system for loading and transporting parcels, comprising:

• a sorter including a plurality of chutes for offloading parcels from the sorter;
• a plurality of totes;
• a plurality of self-driving vehicles configured to transport the plurality of totes and to travel between
• (a) a loading area into which parcels offloaded from the sorter are directed, the loading area including a plurality of zones, with each zone of the plurality of zones corresponding to one or more chutes of the plurality of chutes, and with each zone of the plurality of zones including a first pathway adjacent to the one or more chutes, a second pathway adjacent to the first pathway, and a third pathway adjacent to the first pathway or the second pathway,
• (b) an unloading area in which the plurality of totes are emptied subsequent to being filled to a predetermined capacity and/or disassociated from the plurality of self-driving vehicles, and
• (c) a queue area;
• and
• a control subsystem, the control subsystem including
• (a) one or more sensors configured to obtain readings indicative of a capacity to which the plurality of totes has been filled, and
• (b) a controller operably connected to the one or more sensors and to the plurality of self-driving vehicles, the controller including one or more processors configured to execute instructions stored in one or more memory components to cause the controller to
• (i) receive and process readings from the one or more sensors,
• (ii) selectively communicate instructions which cause a first self-driving vehicle of the plurality of self-driving vehicles, which is located in the first pathway of a first zone of the plurality of zones, to transport a first tote, which is located in the first zone and filled to the predetermined capacity, from the loading area to the unloading area based on the readings from the one or more sensors,
• (iii) selectively communicate instructions, in instances where no other zone of the plurality of zones is located between the first zone and the queue area, which cause a second self-driving vehicle of the plurality of self-driving vehicles, which is located in a first-in-line position in the queue area and is transporting a second tote of the plurality of totes which his empty, to (A) deposit the second tote downstream of the one or more chutes corresponding to the first zone of the loading area and (B) standby in the first pathway of the first zone,
• (iv) selectively communicate instructions, in instances, where one of the plurality of zones is located between the first zone and the queue area, which cause (A) a third self-driving vehicle of the plurality of self-driving vehicles, which is located in the second pathway of the first zone and is transporting a third tote of the plurality of totes which is empty, to deposit the third tote downstream of the one or more chutes corresponding to the first zone and then to standby in the first pathway of the first zone, and (B) the second self-driving vehicle to travel to the second pathway of the first zone, and
• (v) selectively communicate instructions, in instances where at least two zones of the plurality of zones are located between the first zone and the queue area, which cause (A) the third self-driving vehicle to deposit the third tote downstream of the one or more chutes corresponding to the first zone and then to standby in the first pathway of the first zone, and (B) a fourth self-driving vehicle, which is located in a second pathway of a second zone positioned adjacent to the first zone, to travel to the second pathway of the first zone.