Optimization of Waste Transportation and Collection Systems

Research Problem

Municipal solid-waste systems require large volumes of material to be transported between collection areas, transfer facilities, treatment plants, and disposal locations.

Because transportation represents a major component of waste-management costs, decisions concerning facility locations and vehicle routes can have a significant impact on the efficiency of the overall system.

These problems combine network-design, location, and routing decisions and are well suited to operations-research and Geographic Information System (GIS) methods.

Contributions

Our early research in this area was developed through a consultancy project with CITTA and Valorsul S.A. focused on the transportation costs of the Valorsul solid-waste management system in Portugal.

Key contributions included:

• Development of a location optimization model using FICO Xpress
• Optimization of waste-transportation routes using ArcGIS Network Analyst
• Analysis of alternative network and transportation configurations and their cost implications
• Direct engagement with Valorsul to discuss modeling assumptions and operational results
• Contribution to the final technical report delivered to the industry partner

Research Funding

• CITTA – Valorsul S.A.
  Study about the Transportation Costs of the Valorsul Solid Waste Management System
  Industry Research Consultancy (2013)