Physical distribution/transportation system and integrated physical distribution system

A physical distribution/transportation system, comprising:

• a plurality of nodes including a first node corresponding to first area and a second node corresponding to a second area;
• a dedicated traveling line to interconnect said first node and said second node,
• an ordinary traveling line associated with said first node;
• at least one pallet vehicle arranged to travel along said dedicated traveling line between said first node and said second node, whereby a cargo is capable of being delivered from a shipping location within the first area to a receiving location within the second area;
• and
• a controller to control travel of said at least one pallet vehicle based upon cargo information of the shipping location and cargo information of the receiving location, such that when a cargo is to be delivered from the shipping location to the receiving location, the cargo is transported by an ordinary vehicle along said ordinary traveling line from the shipping location to said first node, then transported by said at least one pallet vehicle along said dedicated traveling line from said first node to said second node, and then transported by an ordinary vehicle from said second node to the receiving location,
• wherein said dedicated traveling line extends generally parallel to said ordinary traveling line, with said dedicated traveling line being arranged on a first side of said first node and said ordinary traveling line being arranged on an opposite second side of said first node, and wherein said controller is to control travel of said at least one pallet vehicle such that said at least one pallet vehicle travels from said first node to said second node in a direction that is one of generally opposite to and generally the same as the direction in which the ordinary vehicle travels along said ordinary traveling line from the shipping location to said first node.