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Dynamic waste collection: assessing the usage of dynamic routing methodologies

Stellingwerff, Afke Jildou (2011) Dynamic waste collection: assessing the usage of dynamic routing methodologies.

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Abstract:In this report, we evaluate how dynamic planning methods can best be applied for refuse collection, and then specifically for the refuse collection of underground containers at Twente Milieu. Twente Milieu is actively working on corporate social responsibility, and from that point of view, it tries to reduce its CO2 emissions. The goal of this research is therefore to find out in what way dynamic planning methods can contribute to the reduction of CO2 emission by reducing the number of kilometers driven by the refuse trucks. We will concentrate on creating more efficient emptying schedules, by emptying containers based on the actual level of refuse the containers, instead of using the same schedule every week. We first evaluated the current planning and collection strategy used by Twente Milieu to evaluate at what points improvements might be possible and to find out which new strategies might work for Twente Milieu. Next, we combined this information with insights from our literature study to come up with suggestions for the use of dynamic planning methodologies. Resulting from both the literature study and information on the current way of working at Twente Milieu, we found there are many different options for using a dynamic planning methodology. In our research, we distinguish four different possibilities to develop emptying schedules for emptying the underground containers. We compare the current planning methodology with three more dynamic variants and analyze which option leads to the best results for Twente Milieu. The four options we distinguish are: 1. Current planning methodology 2. Daily planning 3. Daily planning with rescheduling during the day 4. Continuous rescheduling These four options vary between (almost) static and very dynamic and all have their own advantages and disadvantages. 1. The current methodology is simple, and all employees of Twente Milieu are familiar with it. However, it is a static method, which is not able to react to changes in the refuse volumes of the underground containers. While the schedule is the same for every week, there is some room for modifications on Friday, because then it is checked whether there are containers that need additional emptying before the weekend. This shows the current way of working is not completely static. 2. The daily planning option determines a new schedule at the start of each day. This schedule is based on the expected actual refuse volumes in the containers and expected handling times at the containers. A disadvantage of this option is that the planning for that day is fixed, while at the start of the day, it is still unknown what will exactly happen. 3. Daily planning with rescheduling is similar to the second option, but reschedules periodically. The advantage is that we will be better able to handle the uncertainties in handling times and refuse volumes. The planning might be updated when the actual refuse volumes do not match the expected amount of refuse. Rescheduling however, does require additional investments in board computers or requires another way to communicate between driver and planner. 4. The fourth option we distinguish, is continuous rescheduling. Every time a container is emptied, we reschedule to find the next container to empty. This option is the most flexible in handling uncertainties, but it is also very complex and computational intensive.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Clients:
Twente Milieu
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:85 business administration, organizational science
Programme:Industrial Engineering and Management MSc (60029)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/61129
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