USING DISCRETE EVENT SIMULATION TO EVALUATE THE BENEFITS OF RFID IN REDUCING TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND POLLUTION WHILE INCREASING STUDENT SAFETY IN RURAL OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS

Abstract

In this paper, we used discrete-event simulation to evaluate the benefits of RFID to improve an afterschool pickup process. The setting was a rural town in Oklahoma that has seen rapid growth. In addition to reducing pickup times by 49%, demand management policies that convert spiky demand into level demand were shown to have benefits. Annual projected fuel savings due to less idling were estimated to be $3,000. Similarly, an annual reduction of 60 thousand pounds of CO2 was estimated. Although more difficult to quantify, our proposed RFID system is designed to increase safety and security. Further, the proposed system has the potential to reduce accidents by reducing parents’ frustration due to waiting. Security is further increased because RFID systems assist in parent verification.