GA-Based Optimization Method for Mobile Crane Repositioning Route Planning

Abstract

Mobile cranes have been used extensively as essential equipment at construction sites. The productivity improvement of the mobile crane affects the overall productivity of the construction project. Hence, various studies have been conducted regarding mobile crane operation planning. However, studies on solving RCP (the repositioning mobile crane problem) are insufficient. This article presents a mobile crane reposition route planning optimization method (RPOS) that minimizes the total operating time of mobile crane. It converts the construction site into a mathematical model, determines feasible locations of the mobile crane, and identifies near-global optimal solution (s) (i.e., the placement point sequences of mobile crane) by implementing genetic algorithm and dijkstra’s algorithm. The study is of value to practitioners because RPOS provides an easy-to-use computerized tool that reduces the lengthy computations relative to data processing and Genetic Algorithms (GAs). Test cases verify the validity of the computational method.