Loading Stations Research Articles

Logistics dynamics and optimization of solid waste disposal landfills in Lagos Metropolis Nigeria

The complexity of growth in population and rapid urbanization has complicated the problem of prompt evacuation of solid waste in Lagos metropolis. Besides the collection process, the disposal of the collected waste is highly important for gaining satisfactory results on waste management. The main objective of the study was to optimize the location of waste transfer loading stations and landfill sites using Geographic Information System (GIS) in order to improve solid waste management system in Lagos metropolis. Data on the GIS Network Analyst was carried out with the p-median method of location-allocation models. The p-median allocates the transfer stations to the nearest landfill, thus giving an efficient pattern of movements from transfer stations to landfill sites while maximizing total solid waste collection and disposal for environmental sustainability. The optimisation of waste management system using ArcGIS analysis showed a reduction in mean distance travel of 1.43km from existing transfer loading stations and landfills (11.92 km) to proposed transfer loading stations and landfills (10.49 km). This implies a reduction of 12 percent in the mean distance from transfer loading stations to proposed landfills. Based on the findings, the study therefore recommends possible interventions such as regular collection of solid waste, proper management of the transfer loading stations and landfills, adequate resources for the waste management authority, and there should be more efforts at ensuring that waste containers are provided where solid wastes from households can be collected and transported to the final disposal landfill.

Assigning parcel destinations to drop‐off points in a congested robotic sorting system

AbstractAutonomous mobile robots are increasingly used for order picking, order delivery, and parcel sorting. This article studies a robotic sorting system that uses robots to transport parcels from loading stations to drop‐off points. While this system provides more flexible throughput capacity than conventional sorting systems, its performance is significantly affected by the robot travel distance and robot congestion. We study the problem of assigning parcel destinations to drop‐off points to minimize the throughput time, trading off travel distance and congestion. First, an open queuing network (OQN) with finite capacity queues is constructed to estimate the congested throughput time. A decomposition method based on the analysis of the tandem queuing network of each aisle is developed to solve the OQN. Second, using the obtained throughput time as an objective and the destination assignments as decisions, we formulate an optimization model and solve the problem using an adaptive large neighborhood search (ALNS) algorithm. We validate the accuracy of the OQN by simulation and verify the efficiency of the ALNS algorithm by comparing it with Gurobi, a tabu search algorithm, several heuristic assignment rules, and the rule used by our case company, that assigns high demands close to loading stations. The results show that the ALNS solution provides a relatively low throughput time by dispersing destinations with high demands over drop‐off points. In addition, we investigate the effects of different system layouts and travel path topologies. We also show that the ALNS assignment rule produces substantially lower operational costs than the heuristic assignment rules for a given required throughput capacity.

Research of unit train loading technologies at the sidings of grain elevators with their shunting locomotives

The purpose of the study is to increase the unit train load efficiency at the elevators having their shunting locomotives. The research is based on the analysis of time series, methods of organizing the operational work of railways, and methods of traction calculations. The paper considers the problem of organizing shunting work at elevators when loading grain unit trains. Critical wear and tear of shunting locomotives in railway transport of general use necessitates using their locomotives at the elevators. As a result of the research, the dependence of the duration of shunting and cargo operations on the number of cars in the unit train and on other factors was established. Various types of shunting locomotives were compared. Based on the analysis, it was established that it is advisable to use four-axle shunting diesel locomotives with hydraulic transmission for shunting work at the elevators. The traction force of such locomotives is sufficient to deliver empty cars to the elevator at a speed of 14–15 km/h. Loaded cars can be removed at a speed of 14–15 km/h with a slope of the connecting track up to 2–5 ‰. With greater slopes, the removal of loaded cars should be performed at a speed of 5 km/h. The main factor affecting the duration of shunting operations is the distance of delivery and removal of cars. Technologies for loading the grain unit trains at the elevators, providing for the presence of cars at the loading stations for two and three days, have also been developed. The main factor affecting the duration of unit train loading is the staff of locomotive assembly teams. The originality of the study is in obtaining the dependence between the parameters of the technical support of the elevators and the duration of the presence of cars in the connecting station – elevator’s siding system. The practical value of the paper is that its results can be used in the design of the reconstruction of existing and construction of new elevators, as well as in the estimation of costs associated with various loading technologies of the unit trains for the corresponding sidings.

Multinetwork constrained planning of hydrogen-power supplying facilities under double-layer coupling mechanisms

The proliferation of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles calls for effective planning of hydrogen supply facilities. This paper focuses on renewable energy-based distributed hydrogen supply networks (DHSNs), with on-site production and vehicle-based transport. To explore the energy synergism effect, we propose multinetwork constrained planning of hydrogen-power supplying facilities. Considering the double-layer coupling mechanism (DCM), multiple DHSN equipment planning is coordinated with the generation planning of the power distributed networks (PDN). Firstly, the DCM is proposed considering structured multi-component equipment, inter-layer hydrogen couplings, and cross-network power couplings. Secondly, to formulate the DCM, we develop a structured deployment model for DHSN equipment to enhance system integrality and non-redundancy. Specially, to release more flexibilities, inter-layer transport is modeled by proposing a spatiotemporal extended vehicle routing problem model incorporating multiple loading stations with trip coordination. Thirdly, a planning method is proposed to coordinate the planning of hydrogen-power supply facilities in coupled networks, incorporating the double-layer coupling constraints, station operation constraints, and PDN constraints. Test systems are employed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Trajectory Tracking Nonlinear Hybrid Control of Automated Guided Vehicles

Automated guided vehicles (AGVs), so necessary in industrial environments, require precise control of trajectory tracking to make accurate stops at logistics stations, such as loading stations, or to pick up or drop off trolleys, pallets, or racks. This paper proposes a hybrid control architecture for trajectory tracking of a hybrid tricycle-differential AGV. The control strategy combines conventional proportional integral derivative (PID) control with advanced nonlinear Lyapunov control (LPC). The LPC is used for trajectory tracking while the PID is used for speed control of the robot. The stability of the controller is demonstrated for any differentiable trajectory. When a PID optimized with genetic algorithms is compared with the proposed controller for several trajectories, the LPC outperforms it in all cases.

Revamp of Diesel LHD to Battery LHD for Minimising Operational Cost in Underground Metal Mines

In underground mines, haulage vehicles are routinely employed to move ore from subterranean loading stations to the surface. It's occasionally possible for descending empty cars to stop in a passing lane and wait for moving, heavier vehicles to pass. This is how traffic moves downhill. The number and placement of passing bays affect the haulage productivity of a mine. The operational expenses of the battery LHD and the diesel LHD have been contrasted in terms of gases released, diesel costs, and charging costs. According to our data, using a rechargeable LHD can cut operational costs by 90%.

Mitigating vulnerability of a multimodal public transit system for sustainable megacities: a real-time operational control method

The multimodal public transit system (MPTS) has been recognized as a primary mobility support system for sustainable megacities. However, it is often vulnerable to various service disruptions, and the most severe circumstance is the interdependent cascading failures interacting among urban rail transit, bus transit, and road transit networks. The vulnerability of an MPTS against this severe failure, associated with extreme performances, limits the building of future resilient megacities. In this paper, a real-time operational control method based on the system emergency capability (SEC) is developed to block the dynamic unfolding paths of this severe failure considering network topology characteristics and dynamic evolution characteristics. This method is immediately available for real-time emergency control, while previous studies on qualitative optimization strategies cannot. Remarkably, a three-stage association design process is conducted to explore the most efficient SEC loading strategy, involved with multiple intertwined influential factors, including the target loading stations, loading time-step intervals, and loading interval length and loading strength. Finally, a case simulation is undertaken to indicate the adaptability of the proposed method. This work can provide critical insights into real-world emergency resource allocation and an underlying simulator with search direction knowledge for future intelligent algorithm-based optimal control.

Analysis of Competitiveness of Small Ports of the Azov-Black Sea Basin in Multimodal Transportation: Technological Aspects, Transportation Problem Optimisation

A new approach is proposed to the study of functioning of the connecting and transforming link of the multimodal transport and logistics chain, implemented by railway cargo transportation. The methodological basis of the research is classical principles of egalitarianism in the theory of welfare, which allow, based on assessment of the transport and technological infrastructure of the network segment and tariff rates, to build mathematical models that are economically justified, customer-oriented and in demand in management of cargo transportation processes. An algorithm for solving a multi-criteria and multi-extremal problem of integer linear programming with a set of cost objective functions has been developed in the medium of the analytical computing system. The computational experiment is used as a guiding heuristic tool in finding the optimal level of organization and economic efficiency of the cargo transportation process.Optimal combinations of distributions of the number of departure routes per loading stations and related plans of transportation to the reloading stations were found with the help of the Pareto criterion. The obtained values of cost indicators provide the participants of the transportation process with the opportunity to choose competitive options in transportation schemes using small port transshipment stations of the Azov-Black Sea basin.

Optimizing Sugar Manufacturing: A Hybrid Simulation-Based Approach and MCDM for Efficient Decision Making

Efficient truck flow is essential for the efficient operation of a factory and the distribution of its products. This study demonstrated methods to improve truck loading times and overall efficiency at a major sugar manufacturing facility in the Middle East. The objective was to reduce truck waiting times at loading units and increase capacity. The data were collected through questionnaires, observations, and interviews with stakeholders. A simulation software was employed to analyze truck activity at loading stations at the factory. Multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) tools, AHP and TOPSIS, addressed five primary criteria and nine sub-criteria to assist in identifying, evaluating, and ranking feasible solutions. The study suggested different utilization of the various factory loading platforms at different times of the day. The findings from this study emphasize the importance of simulation-based approaches supplemented with decision-making processes to improve efficiency in sugar manufacturing facilities that may have broader applications in the factories of other industries. The study highlights remarkable improvements in operational efficiency, as seen in Alternative 4 substantial 27.9% enhancement, resulting in cost savings and time efficiency. By implementing these findings, factories can enhance their truck flow management system, reduce waiting times, increase capacity utilization, optimize resource allocation, and improve overall efficiency.

Особенности управления местной работой на железнодорожных участках, обслуживающих прямые отправительские маршруты

Purpose: Using simulation modeling to investigate the nature of the interrelationships of technologies for processing routes and train throughput at loading (unloading) stations and adjacent stages, as well as for justifying the appropriate parameters and coefficients to reflect these interrelations in the methodology of a comprehensive assessment of the capabilities of railway sections as a whole. Methods: Forecasting the volume of train, freight and shunting work of railway sections where it is planned to serve full-composite routes. Results: To develop an imitation model of the functioning of the railway section of the loading (unloading) area as a whole. Practical significance: The simulation model can be successfully used in the course of operational planning of train work by section dispatchers.

Analysis of Potential Hazards in the Palm Oil Processing Process at PT. Karya Tanah Subur Using Job Safety Analysis (JSA)

PT. Karya Tanah Subur (KTS) is a palm oil processing industry located on Jalan Gemmpang-Tutut, Padang Sikabu Village, Kawai XVI District, West Aceh District. Based on the results of observations and interviews conducted with the person in charge of the factory, it is known that there are potential hazards that occur during the production process. The potential hazards that occur cannot be separated from various risks in the work environment, as well as negligence and also non-compliance by workers in using PPE. The purpose of this research is to identify the potential hazards at the Loading Ramp, Sterilizer, and Thresher stations and then assess the risk level of these potential hazards and determine control measures for these risks. The method used in this research is Job Safety Analysis (JSA). The results of the analysis revealed that the potential hazards in the 3 areas studied were the Ramp Loading, Sterilizer, and Thresher stations. The potential hazards found in the Ramp Loading area were being pinned by the tailgate of the FFB transport truck, being crushed and punctured by FFB thorns, falling into a pile of FFB, being stabbed by a gancu. . Potential hazards at the Sterilizer Station include exposure to hot steam, electric shock, heat at the end of the lorry, being injured by capstand ropes and slipping due to slippery floors. The potential hazards at the Thresher station include being exposed to the heat of the lorry when it is unable to attach the rope that holds the crane, falling from the workplace, being crushed by fruit that has been boiled in heat. The highest potential hazards are at the Sterilizer station, where workers' hands are injured by capstand ropes and the slippery floor causes workers to slip, and at Thersher stations, where boiled fruit is crushed. Control efforts that can be proposed are to hold internal outreach to company workers which discuss risks in the workplace as well as discussions about occupational health and safety so that workers always use complete PPE in the workplace.

Geometric routing model as a new approach in mathematical modeling of wagon flows rational distribution

In the ongoing transport and logistics researches, a coefficient of railway line non-straightness is introduced, by means of which, for the considered loading stations, the specifics of the location of the railway network in a given region are taken into account. The use of this coefficient makes it possible to increase the efficiency and practical expediency of applying the method of economic and geographical delimitation of the «influence areas» of the loading stations. As a result, it is possible to construct a mathematically substantiated geometric routing model of the territorial oligopolistic market for freight transportation formed by the considered loading stations. As an effective tool in the research process, a system of analytical calculations is used.

Assignment of parcels to loading stations in robotic sorting systems

Autonomous robots are increasingly used in warehouses in the recent decade, due to their flexible throughput capacity and low operating cost. Sorting may be the newest warehouse scene where autonomous robots are adopted. We consider a robotic sorting system with a two-tier layout where robots drive on the top mezzanine and sort parcels from loading stations (inputs) to drop-off points (outputs) via spiral conveyors connected to roll containers at the lower tier. We investigate the assignment optimization of arrival parcels to loading stations, to minimize the system throughput time. We first build an open queueing network to estimate the system performance and validate its accuracy by simulation. Then, we formulate an integer-programming model that takes the minimization of throughput time as the objective. We prove the computational complexity of the model by transferring it into an order batching problem, and design a Tabu search algorithm for solution. We evaluate the efficiency of the algorithm by both numerical experiments that take the Gurobi solver, the random and closest assignment rules as the comparison target, and a real case study. The results show that our algorithm can reduce the system throughput time by 7.09% and 8.76% and lower the manual cost by 11.99% and 17.50% over the random and the closest assignment rule, respectively. Moreover, it outperforms the Gurobi solver in large instances in terms of throughput time. The real case study shows that the system throughput time and the manual cost can be reduced by about 25% and 16%, compared with the assignment rule used in practice.

Современные методы управления парком приватных вагонов

Purpose: To study modern approaches for management of privy railcar park. At the moment, the lack of cars on loading stations is observed while their common surplus. This can be overcome by agreed supply of empty cars at set time interval. For to satisfy clients’ needs in complex service it’s proposed to apply new informational products and services. The application of ERP-systems (Enterprise Resource Planning) will allow to rise the efficiency of interaction between operator companies and JCS RZD. Methods: Application of method of digital solutions while car flow management, design of digital systems of transportation process management. Results: In the investigation, the methodology is proposed of optimal distribution of car park by loading stations on railway network JSC RZD. Practical importance: Deficit and surplus elimination for car park in operator company management, reduction of exploitational burden on JSC RZD infrastructure. Effective usage of new informational products will allow to use effectively the privy rolling stock.

Rapid Detection of Pityophthorus juglandis (Blackman) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) with the Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Method.

The walnut twig beetle Pityophthorus juglandis is a phloem-boring bark beetle responsible, in association with the ascomycete Geosmithia morbida, for the Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD) of walnut trees. The recent finding of TCD in Europe prompted the development of effective diagnostic protocols for the early detection of members of this insect/fungus complex. Here we report the development of a highly efficient, low-cost, and rapid method for detecting the beetle, or even just its biological traces, from environmental samples: the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay. The method, designed on the 28S ribosomal RNA gene, showed high specificity and sensitivity, with no cross reactivity to other bark beetles and wood-boring insects. The test was successful even with very small amounts of the target insect’s nucleic acid, with limit values of 0.64 pg/µL and 3.2 pg/µL for WTB adults and frass, respectively. A comparison of the method (both in real time and visual) with conventional PCR did not display significant differences in terms of LoD. This LAMP protocol will enable quick, low-cost, and early detection of P. juglandis in areas with new infestations and for phytosanitary inspections at vulnerable sites (e.g., seaports, airports, loading stations, storage facilities, and wood processing companies).

Design and Analysis of Different Storage Cargo Station Project

This paper completed a program with a typical coal loading station analysis, coal systems, interior design by coal storage system loading stations will be expanded, it will be subject to the coal pit, different forms of storage bunker, coal storage shed, etc. specific technical parameters superior and its corresponding economic indicators combined standard to do a detailed comparison and determine the best technical and economic solutions Cargo station construction; focus on the application of matlab calculation program calculates the design reserves loading stations with coal shed aspect ratio, the relationship between the length of the curve values, verify the Cargo station design is reasonable to give a general rule of coal storage capacity design.

FACTORS INFLUENCING SMALL FARMERS TO PARTICIPATE IN SUGARCANE LOADING STATIONS IN THAILAND

Sugarcane loading stations were established in the sugarcane business in Thailand for more than ten years to decrease the transportation cost of the small farmers. However, the participation rate was rather low. The main objective of this study was to investigate the factors influencing sugarcane small farmers to join contract farming with sugarcane loading stations. Descriptive analysis was used to describe farmers’ demographic profiles and farms’ characteristics. Factor analysis was used to determine factors influencing farmers’ motivation to join with loading stations. Social participation was revealed as the factor the most influenced farmers’ motivation to join with loading stations, followed by economic constraints and individual goals, which these two factors have also significantly influenced the farmers’ motivation to join with loading stations. Conversely, the sign of education (positive) and age (negative) were estimated in the logistic regression analysis, which increases age level will reduce the small farmers’ motivation to participate in the sugarcane loading stations, and the higher education level will increase the small farmers’ motivation to participate in the sugarcane loading stations.

Multimodal Freight Transportation Based on Multicriteria Optimization by Time Indicators

A multicriteria approach with temporal indicators in optimizing the distribution of cargo flows in multimodal transport and technological system is presented. Based on the infrastructure indicators of the considered part of the railway landfill and the economic and geographical volumes of cargo accumulation, a mathematical model of the transport process is developed, expressed as a nonlinear integer programming problem. For various combinations of several objective functions, which are temporary indicators of the transportation process, an algorithm of optimal distribution of cargo flows for the considered loading stations and unloading stations is developed. Computational procedures for finding the Pareto optimal distribution of cargo flows are implemented in the environment of a computer mathematics system, which can be Free Ware. The distribution of grain cargo flows, which, as well known, are especially relevant from a commercial point of view for Russian exports, was chosen as a specific object for implementing the developed optimization approach.

MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF CARGO FLOW DISTRIBUTION IN A REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

An integrated approach is proposed in the study of rational schemes for the distribution of cargo flows at a regional transport loop for multimodal transportation, considered within the framework of an oligopolistic market. A technique has been developed for the parallel application of two approaches, differing in their mathematical nature, to the issues of increasing the economic efficiency of these transportations. The results obtained by the previously developed method of economic and geographical delimitation of «influence areas» of loading stations serve as a justification for the correctness of the results obtained by using an algorithm based on the Pareto optimization of the freight transportation process. Rational variants for organizing the freight transportation, taking into account time and cost indicators, have been obtained. The system of analytical calculations is used as a software tool to obtain a mathematically sound and transport–logistic diversified model of a regional oligopolistic freight market.

Solid Waste Management and Transport Route Optimization Using Geographic Information System in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria

With an unprecedented population and rapid urbanization, the solid waste collection and transportation has become a major challenge in Lagos metropolis. The main objective of the study was to optimize routes for solid waste collection and disposal using Geographic Information System (GIS) in order to improve solid waste management system in Lagos metropolis. Data on the GIS Network Analyst was used to determine movements between the transfer loading stations and the landfills to determine the collection time, travel distances, optimized routes and alternative routes for solid waste disposal while maximising total solid waste collection and disposal for environmental sustainability. Based on the findings, the study therefore recommends possible interventions such as regular collection of solid waste, proper management of the transfer loading stations and landfills, and that the collection of solid waste should be given more attention because it is important in the development of cities.
 Keywords: Solid wastes, Transportation, Route Optimization, GIS, Lagos metropolis