Optimization Models for Snowplow Routes and Depot Locations: A Real-World Implementation

Area of Science:

• Operations Research
• Transportation Engineering
• Public Administration

Background:

• Winter road maintenance (WRM) is crucial for public safety and transportation network functionality.
• Current WRM operations in Perth County face challenges in efficiency and resource allocation.
• Reassessing service levels requires integrated planning across municipal boundaries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement strategies for optimizing WRM operations in Perth County.
• To enhance the service level of winter road maintenance through route and depot optimization.
• To identify potential cost savings and improved resource utilization in WRM.

Main Methods:

• Development of a methodological framework for WRM optimization.
• Creation of a Geographic Information System (GIS) database for benchmarking.
• Optimization of plow routes and depot locations using a tabu search algorithm.

Main Results:

• Identified opportunities for integrating WRM operations across municipalities.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of retiring three depots and eight trucks through shared resources.
• Achieved an optimized, integrated, and unified network for maintenance routes.

Conclusions:

• Integrated WRM planning offers substantial monetary savings and improved efficiency.
• Optimizing depot locations and plow routes enhances land use for maintenance yards.
• The proposed framework provides a scalable model for improving WRM services.