Hardware failures notwithstanding, the ability of an automated system operating according to promised potential is dependent upon the operational control measures in force. In this paper, some heuristic rules for dispatching Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs) in a job shop environment are presented. The rules are useful for assigning priorities to work stations requesting the services of a vehicle for material pickup. The likely effects of these rules on the performance of a job shop are postulated. Simulation results to demonstrate the effects of these rules arc also presented.