Abstract
Paper aims This study presents several business analytics tools that allow improving the tactical planning of the collection process for a Colombian solid-waste management company. Originality The extant literature of operations research/analytics applied to these systems focuses on facility location or vehicle routing. Tactical decisions are seldom studied in the operations research/analytics literature devoted to waste management systems. By contrast, the focus of this paper is on tactical decisions: fleet sizing, frequency assignment, route scheduling and internal resource allocation in a new waste transfer station. Research method We follow a multimethodology approach that uses mathematical programming, metaheuristics, and discrete event simulation. The models use historical information of the system, and the solution of a model are used as input data for the other models. Main findings Introducing a new waste transfer station allows an important reduction of the compactors fleet. However, to prevent a collapse in its internal operation an even operation is needed. This is achieved by rescheduling the routes to balance their arrival during the day. Additional benefits can be attained if some soft constraints are relaxed. Implications for theory and practice Practitioners looking for tactical planning tools on waste collection systems have here an example of their application and benefits. Improvements can be achieved by tactical planning without heavily disrupting decisions at the operational level.
Highlights
The world generates 2010 million tonnes of solid waste annually, its generation increases as the population growth, economic development is promoted, standard of living improves, and consumptions habits change (Kaza et al, 2018)
In this paper we present the analytical models used to support the tactical planning of the solid waste collection and transportation operation of a Colombian waste management company
Using a multimethodology approach we addressed different tactical decisions that must be revised due to the entry into operation of a new waste transfer station in the near future
Summary
The world generates 2010 million tonnes of solid waste annually, its generation increases as the population growth, economic development is promoted, standard of living improves, and consumptions habits change (Kaza et al, 2018). Collection and transport represent between 60%-80% of the total cost of solid waste management (Beliën et al, 2014) These processes include the activities of collecting and transporting solid waste to a destination that may be a landfill, a material processing or treatment facility or waste transfer station (WTS). Planning decisions in waste collection systems are made at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels (Gonela et al, 2020). Most research aim at collection routing planning (Beliën et al, 2014) and studies including transfer stations mainly focus on their location (Ghiani et al, 2014).
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