Simulation Model of Urban Refuse Collection

Abstract

A digital computer simulation model for complex urban mixed-refuse collection systems has been prepared. It calculates the number of daily truck routes in each subarea as a function of household density, collection frequency, and collection truck traffic haul distance; it then assigns individual collection trucks by number to work in these subareas by days of the week. After this initialization, the model simulates collection of semiweekly or triweekly frequency with or without a transfer station for a 6-day week, and prints a resume of the week's activities. With this model costs of alternate locations for final disposal sites and transfer station sites can be investigated and compared. The efficiencies of proposed systems with different collection truck capacities and with or without auxiliary compaction equipment can also be investigated, in such terms as unit cost in dollars per ton, overtime hours, and required number of haul units. The model is structured so that local field performance data, truck costs, labor costs, etc., can easily be entered for use in evaluating most proposed urban system policy changes.