Research Article

Performance analysis of A*, Dijkstra and RRT path planning algorithms on ROS-based Gazebo for LiDAR-based mecanum wheeled mobile autonomous robot

Volume: 5 Number: 2 July 31, 2025
TR EN

Performance analysis of A*, Dijkstra and RRT path planning algorithms on ROS-based Gazebo for LiDAR-based mecanum wheeled mobile autonomous robot

Abstract

Effective path planning is crucial for mobile robots to navigate safely and efficiently in various environments. The main purpose of this study is to compare and investigate the performances of three important path planning algorithms, namely A*, Dijkstra and Rapidly exploring Random Trees (RRT), for a mobile autonomous robot with LiDAR sensors and mechanical wheels. The mobile robot can move in multiple directions with its mecanum wheels and can precisely avoid obstacles with the help of LiDAR sensors and decision-making mechanisms (path planning algorithms). Various scenarios with cluttered and open areas were used in a simulated ROS Gazebo environment to evaluate the effectiveness of each algorithm. The performance metrics among the algorithms were analyzed with respect to path length, time to reach the target, velocity command frequency and CPU utilization. In terms of travel time performance criterion, A* performed approximately 35% better than Dijkstra and 85% better than RRT. In terms of the path length traveled, A* reached the target in approximately 11% shorter path length than Dijkstra and 17% shorter path length than RRT. In terms of the number of velocity commands processed, A* outperformed Dijkstra by approximately 36% and RRT by 38%. In terms of CPU utilization performance criterion, RRT performed approximately 10% better than A* and 74% better than Dijkstra. As a result, significant information was obtained about the strengths and weaknesses of each algorithm in selecting the most appropriate path planning strategies for mobile autonomous robots.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study is supported by TÜBİTAK with project No. 1139B412302608, 2023.

Project Number

1139B412302608

Ethical Statement

The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Thanks

This study was supported by the İzmir Katip Çelebi University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit with the project number 2022-GAP-MÜMF-0055.

References

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  4. Hart PE, Nilsson NJ, Raphael B (1968) A Formal Basis for the Heuristic Determination of Minimum Cost Paths. IEEE Transactions on Systems Science and Cybernetics 4(2):100–7. https://doi: 10.1109/TSSC.1968.300136
  5. LaValle SM (1998) Rapidly-exploring random trees: A new tool for path planning. Technical Report Computer Science Department, Iowa State University.
  6. Al-Ansarry, Suhaib, Al-Darraji S (2021) Hybrid RRT-A*: An Improved Path Planning Method for an Autonomous Mobile Robots. Iraqi Journal for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 17(1):1-10. https://doi.org/10.37917/ijeee.17.1.13
  7. Dirik M, Kocamaz F (2020) Rrt-dijkstra: An improved path planning algorithm for mobile robots. Journal of Soft Computing and Artificial Intelligence 1(2):69-77.
  8. Chen R, Hu J, Xu W (2022) An RRT-Dijkstra-Based Path Planning Strategy for Autonomous Vehicles. Applied Sciences 12(23):11982. https://doi.org/10.3390/app122311982

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Simulation, Modelling, and Programming of Mechatronics Systems, Autonomous Vehicle Systems

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 31, 2025

Submission Date

January 12, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 27, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 5 Number: 2

APA
Galeli, D., Kartal Cetın, B., & Çetin, K. (2025). Performance analysis of A*, Dijkstra and RRT path planning algorithms on ROS-based Gazebo for LiDAR-based mecanum wheeled mobile autonomous robot. Journal of Innovative Engineering and Natural Science, 5(2), 588-605. https://doi.org/10.61112/jiens.1618552
AMA
1.Galeli D, Kartal Cetın B, Çetin K. Performance analysis of A*, Dijkstra and RRT path planning algorithms on ROS-based Gazebo for LiDAR-based mecanum wheeled mobile autonomous robot. JIENS. 2025;5(2):588-605. doi:10.61112/jiens.1618552
Chicago
Galeli, Dilara, Bilge Kartal Cetın, and Kamil Çetin. 2025. “Performance Analysis of A*, Dijkstra and RRT Path Planning Algorithms on ROS-Based Gazebo for LiDAR-Based Mecanum Wheeled Mobile Autonomous Robot”. Journal of Innovative Engineering and Natural Science 5 (2): 588-605. https://doi.org/10.61112/jiens.1618552.
EndNote
Galeli D, Kartal Cetın B, Çetin K (July 1, 2025) Performance analysis of A*, Dijkstra and RRT path planning algorithms on ROS-based Gazebo for LiDAR-based mecanum wheeled mobile autonomous robot. Journal of Innovative Engineering and Natural Science 5 2 588–605.
IEEE
[1]D. Galeli, B. Kartal Cetın, and K. Çetin, “Performance analysis of A*, Dijkstra and RRT path planning algorithms on ROS-based Gazebo for LiDAR-based mecanum wheeled mobile autonomous robot”, JIENS, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 588–605, July 2025, doi: 10.61112/jiens.1618552.
ISNAD
Galeli, Dilara - Kartal Cetın, Bilge - Çetin, Kamil. “Performance Analysis of A*, Dijkstra and RRT Path Planning Algorithms on ROS-Based Gazebo for LiDAR-Based Mecanum Wheeled Mobile Autonomous Robot”. Journal of Innovative Engineering and Natural Science 5/2 (July 1, 2025): 588-605. https://doi.org/10.61112/jiens.1618552.
JAMA
1.Galeli D, Kartal Cetın B, Çetin K. Performance analysis of A*, Dijkstra and RRT path planning algorithms on ROS-based Gazebo for LiDAR-based mecanum wheeled mobile autonomous robot. JIENS. 2025;5:588–605.
MLA
Galeli, Dilara, et al. “Performance Analysis of A*, Dijkstra and RRT Path Planning Algorithms on ROS-Based Gazebo for LiDAR-Based Mecanum Wheeled Mobile Autonomous Robot”. Journal of Innovative Engineering and Natural Science, vol. 5, no. 2, July 2025, pp. 588-05, doi:10.61112/jiens.1618552.
Vancouver
1.Dilara Galeli, Bilge Kartal Cetın, Kamil Çetin. Performance analysis of A*, Dijkstra and RRT path planning algorithms on ROS-based Gazebo for LiDAR-based mecanum wheeled mobile autonomous robot. JIENS. 2025 Jul. 1;5(2):588-605. doi:10.61112/jiens.1618552


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