Method of operating a laboratory sample distribution system, laboratory sample distribution system and laboratory automation system

A laboratory sample distribution system, the laboratory sample distribution system comprising:

• a plurality of sample container carriers, wherein the sample container carriers are configured to carry a laboratory sample container;
• a transport plane, wherein the transport plane is configured to support the sample container carriers;
• a plurality of drive elements, wherein the drive elements are configured to move the sample container carriers on the transport plane;
• and
• a control device, wherein the control device is configured to plan a movement path (MP) for one of the sample container carriers from a start (ST) to a goal (GA) on the transport plane, wherein the transport plane is logically modelled by a plurality of nodes (ni, nj, nk), wherein the nodes (ni, nj, nk) are free for at least one time-window (fTW) or reserved for at least one-time window (rTW), wherein the planning comprises analyzing the reachability out of a free time-window (fTW) of one of the nodes (ni) to free time-windows (fTW) of at least one next node (nj) and at least one at least over-next node (nk) such that a planned movement of the one sample container carrier is nonstop from the one node (ni) over the next node (nj) to the at least one over-next node (nk), reserve the planned movement path (MP) comprising a sequence of time-windows (TW) of nodes (ni, nj, nk), and execute, by controlling at least one of the drive elements, such that the one sample container carrier moves along the reserved movement path (MP) on the transport plane.