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Optimisation of MSW collection routes for minimum fuel consumption using 3D GIS modelling
G Tavares1, Z Zsigraiova, V Semiao
1Technical University of Lisbon, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Avenida Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal.
Waste Management (New York, N.Y.)
|October 7, 2008
Summary
Optimizing municipal solid waste (MSW) collection routes using 3D GIS modeling significantly reduces fuel costs. This approach considers terrain and vehicle weight, leading to substantial savings compared to shortest-route methods.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Transportation Logistics
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
Background:
- Municipal solid waste (MSW) collection constitutes over 70% of waste management budgets, primarily due to fuel expenses.
- Optimizing collection and transportation routes is critical for reducing operational costs and environmental impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate a 3D route modeling approach using GIS for optimizing waste collection and transportation.
- To minimize fuel consumption by incorporating road inclination and vehicle weight into route calculations.
Main Methods:
- Development of a 3D route modeling software utilizing geographical information systems (GIS).
- Inclusion of road inclination and vehicle weight as key parameters in the optimization algorithm.
- Application of the model to real-world scenarios in Praia, Cape Verde, and Santiago Island.
Main Results:
- A 3D model minimizing fuel consumption in Praia resulted in 8% cost savings compared to shortest-route calculations.
- The fuel-optimized route in Praia was 1.8% longer than the shortest route, demonstrating the effectiveness of the model.
- A 12% fuel reduction was achieved for waste transport on Santiago Island with a similar travel distance.
Conclusions:
- Incorporating terrain relief and fuel consumption into route optimization significantly enhances efficiency.
- 3D GIS route modeling offers a superior strategy for reducing fuel costs in waste management operations.
- The proposed method provides substantial economic and potential environmental benefits for waste collection and transportation logistics.
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