Savings In Transportation Costs Research Articles

Streamlining Distribution Routes Using the Language Model of Artificial Intelligence

This article addresses the use of artificial intelligence for the needs of effective, sustainable development in logistics and its components. The subject of this article is to highlight the possibility of processing optimization methods using an artificial intelligence module. The goal is to determine whether the AI module can replicate the same, or at least have a similar result, as the traditional optimization methods used in practice. The challenge involves constantly identifying reserves in already highly sophisticated micro-logistics systems using modern commercial means of artificial intelligence. Applying artificial intelligence to elements of a company’s micro-logistics model is a new approach. This article aims to determine whether artificial intelligence can reduce costs through calculations in a specific area defined for it. By optimizing distribution routes using ChatGPT-3.5, we significantly reduced the total distance traveled, leading to substantial savings in transportation costs. This optimization led to a significant improvement in the efficiency of logistic processes and considerable cost savings. This result demonstrates that artificial intelligence can be an effective tool for solving complex logistic tasks. The possibilities of effectively sustainable logistics development with the help of artificial intelligence lie not only in the quality of the achieved outputs but also in the speed of the calculations and the procedures for solving defined project tasks. It follows from this definition that artificial intelligence will continue to play an essential role in the defined field of logistics in the future.

The Influence of Road Infrastructure Development on Improving the Welfare of the People of Wajo Regency

This study analyzed the impact of road infrastructure development, especially the Lowa-Macero Road section, on improving the welfare of the people of Wajo Regency, South Sulawesi. This district has a variety of geographical characteristics, with great potential in the agricultural, fisheries and tourism sectors. Road infrastructure development is a priority for the district government to increase regional accessibility and connectivity. Data shows that the construction of the road has been carried out in stages since 2017 with a total budget of Rp41.86 billion. Analysis shows that road construction has had a significant positive impact on the welfare of the community, especially through increasing the efficiency of the distribution of agricultural products, savings in transportation costs, and opening new employment opportunities. This research confirms the importance of road infrastructure development as an effort to improve the social and economic welfare of the community in rural areas.

Optimal Transportation Planning for a Do-It-Yourself Retailer with a Zone-Based Tariff

This article describes the development of a decision support tool for a Rich Vehicle Routing Problem (R-VRP) of a major European do-it-yourself (DIY) retailer. The tool enables more comprehensive and structured planning at the retailer and an average of 8% transportation cost savings, translating to total savings of more than € 1 million per year for this specific retailer compared with the status quo.

Telephonic follow-up after day case pediatric surgery in an upper middle income country: A pilot study.

One third of South African children live in households with no employed adult. Telemedicine may save patients and the strained public health sector significant resources. We aimed to determine the safety and benefits of telephonic post-operative follow-up of patients who presented for day case surgery at CHBAH from 1 January-31 March 2023. A prospective descriptive study on patients undergoing day case surgery was performed. Healthy patients greater than 6years old whose caregivers spoke English and had access to a smartphone were included. Data on the total number of telephonic follow-ups, operative complications, need for in person review, satisfaction with telephonic follow-up, and savings in transport costs and time by avoiding in person follow-up were collected. A total of 38 telephonic follow-ups were performed. Six (15.8%) patients presented for in person review due to the detection of major complications (2, 5.3%), minor complications (2, 5.3%), and parental concern (2, 5.3%) during telephonic follow-up. All caregivers reported being satisfied with telephonic follow-up. Total savings in transport costs were R4452 (US $ 248.45). The majority of patients (29, 76.3%) had at least one unemployed parent. Seven caregivers (18.4%) avoided taking paid leave and 2 (5.3%) unpaid leave from work due to follow-up being performed telephonically. Innovation is necessary in order to expand access to safe, affordable, and timely care. In this selected group, telephonic follow-up was a safe, acceptable, and cost-effective intervention. The expansion of such a program has the potential for significant savings for patients and the healthcare system.

Mixed Palletizing for Smart Warehouse Environments: Sustainability Review of Existing Methods

Mixed palletizing constitutes one of the problems in the logistics domain aroused from the need for fast product movement to satisfy the continuously increasing number of customers with the demand for highly personalized goods. In a demanding environment, such as warehouses, where break bulk and the consolidation of loads take up most of the working time, the automation of mixed palletizing can lead to increased efficiency and speed while keeping errors to a minimum. Space utilization of pallets enables savings in storage and transportation costs, boosting the overall sustainable role of the Supply Chain sector. This paper presents the proposed approaches to mixed palletizing stemming from different fields, with a focus on recent developments in the application of Industry 4.0 technologies. Our research highlights quite a few areas that require attention from researchers.

Comparison of a Hybrid Firefly–Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm with Six Hybrid Firefly–Differential Evolution Algorithms and an Effective Cost-Saving Allocation Method for Ridesharing Recommendation Systems

The optimization and allocation of transport cost savings among stakeholders are two important issues that influence the satisfaction of information providers, drivers and passengers in ridesharing recommendation systems. For optimization issues, finding optimal solutions for nonconvex constrained discrete ridesharing optimization problems poses a challenge due to computational complexity. For the allocation of transport cost savings issues, the development of an effective method to allocate cost savings in ridesharing recommendation systems is an urgent need to improve the acceptability of ridesharing. The hybridization of different metaheuristic approaches has demonstrated its advantages in tackling the complexity of optimization problems. The principle of the hybridization of metaheuristic approaches is similar to a marriage of two people with the goal of having a happy ending. However, the effectiveness of hybrid metaheuristic algorithms is unknown a priori and depends on the problem to be solved. This is similar to a situation where no one knows whether a marriage will have a happy ending a priori. Whether the hybridization of the Firefly Algorithm (FA) with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) or Differential Evolution (DE) can work effectively in solving ridesharing optimization problems needs further study. Motivated by deficiencies in existing studies, this paper focuses on the effectiveness of hybrid metaheuristic algorithms for solving ridesharing problems based on the hybridization of FA with PSO or the hybridization of FA with DE. Another focus of this paper is to propose and study the effectiveness of a new method to allocate ridesharing cost savings to the stakeholders in ridesharing systems. The developed hybrid metaheuristic algorithms and the allocation method have been compared with examples of several application scenarios to illustrate their effectiveness. The results indicate that hybridizing FA with PSO creates a more efficient algorithm, whereas hybridizing FA with DE does not lead to a more efficient algorithm for the ridesharing recommendation problem. An interesting finding of this study is very similar to what happens in the real world: “Not all marriages have happy endings”.

Enhancing Food Supply Chain Efficiency: A Consolidation Shipping Approach For Multi-Product and Multiechelon

This research applies the application of delivery consolidation in the context of a multi-product and multi-echelon food supply chain, as a strategy to address operational efficiency and cost management. The aim is to implement consolidation in multi-product and multi-echelon distribution systems, in order to optimize product placement and distribution efficiently. The method adopted is the Linear Programming model, which considers key variables such as the number of goods to be sent, delivery route, resource allocation, fleet capacity and delivery time limit. The research results show that shipment consolidation, by scheduling shipments that are delayed until the second or third day, allows combining orders into one large shipment, thereby increasing load and route efficiency, reducing trip frequency, and achieving significant transportation cost savings. This strategy successfully increased load and route efficiency, reduced the number of trips required, and resulted in substantial transportation cost savings. Using this method, the total shipping and storage costs are 1,328,834. This consolidation strategy has proven crucial in optimizing delivery types, in addition to facilitating more effective route planning, reducing travel distances and times, and resulting in significant operational cost savings.

Penentuan Rute Distribusi Feasible untuk Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows dengan Metode Sequential Insertion Pada CV. Hagia Mitra Mandiri

CV. Hagia Mitra Mandiri is a company that distributes black queen bee honey products. Problems faced by CV. Hagia Mitra Mandiri in the distribution of its products, namely that the company has not yet planned product delivery routes to various customers of bitter black queen bee honey in the Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Bekasi and Karawang areas. As a result, product delivery routes often exceed customer working hours, which can make delivery schedules less than optimal in terms of distance, travel time and delivery costs. This research aims to design the route that each vehicle must take according to the user's working hours, with the aim of optimizing the total travel distance. The method used is the sequential insertion algorithm method to solve the Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows problem model. The sequential insertion method is used to plan proposed distribution routes by considering travel distance, travel time and transportation costs. The research results show that there are differences in the proposed route from the initial route. The proposed route resulting from the calculation of the sequential insertion algorithm method produces the best distance, namely 307 km with a savings ratio of 18.13%, a comparison of total transportation cost savings of Rp. 58,758 and the difference in fuel usage is 7.55 liters. The total travel time is 667 minutes and the total travel time ratio is 9.01%.

Sustainable solid waste management system using technology-enabled end-of-pipe strategies

Ever Increasing accumulation of solid waste, attributed to population growth and rapid urbanization, is a serious issue for all nations. This creates hindrance in implementing sustainable solid waste management systems (SWMS), which contribute to socio-economic-environmental-operational (SEEO) benefits for the nations and their citizens. Limited understanding of various solid waste management (SWM) practices, their operational sequence, and other system constraints pose numerous challenges for the concerned authorities and policymakers. This paper provides a framework depicting three broad categories of strategies for managing solid waste: preventive, end-of-pipe (EOP), and environmental restoration. Among these, the research emphasizes on EOP strategies, being suitable alternative as per current requirements, to deal with massive amounts of generated waste. It further adopts Grey-DEMATEL approach to models the causal relationship among EOP strategies to identify the most influential strategy, which influences other ones. The model suggests waste segregation to be the major enabler for other EOP strategies, as it has maximum overall significance value (R + C) between 1.18 and 1.41 and it is the only one with positive value in “net-effect” computation (R–C), compared to other strategies with negative (R–C) values. This would enable concerned authorities to understand and follow the sequence of actions. Finally, a comprehensive framework is proposed for effective, efficient, and sustainable methods of handling different types of solid waste using technology-enabled EOP strategies. A case study is performed to demonstrate the significance of waste segregation towards SEEO benefits. It indicates that technology-based solutions at decentralized depots and establishment of biogas plant in the vicinity of garbage collection point leads to reduction in transportation cost and energy saving in efficient manner. The ground level implementation of our research in an Indian city resulted in the reduction of daily vehicle requirement from 25 to 20 vehicles, leading to approx. 25% savings in overall transportation costs thereby cutting exchequer's bill by up to $ 2820/month. It also reveals that mechanized and decentralized solutions were not effective for inert waste, its disposal to landfill was more suited alternative.

Expanding Radiotherapy Access in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Analysis of Travel Burdens and Patient-Related Benefits of Hypofractionation

The purpose of this project was to examine the travel burdens for radiotherapy patients in Nigeria, Tanzania, and South Africa, and to assess the patient-related benefits of hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) for breast and prostate cancer patients in these countries. The outcomes can inform the implementation of the recent Lancet Oncology Commission recommendations on increasing the adoption of HFRT in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to enhance radiotherapy access in the region. Data were extracted from electronic patient records at the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Center (NLCC) in Lagos, Nigeria and the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) in Durban, South Africa, from written records at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Oncology Center in Enugu, Nigeria, and from phone interviews at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Google Maps was used to calculate the shortest driving distance between a patient's home address and their respective radiotherapy center. QGIS was used to map the straight-line distances to each center. Descriptive statistics were used to compare transportation costs, time expenditures, and lost wages when using HFRT versus conventionally fractionated radiotherapy (CFRT) for breast and prostate cancer. All transportation- and wage-related cost data were contextualized within each country's monthly adjusted net national income (MANNI) per capita, as reported by 2020 data from the World Bank. Patients in Nigeria (n = 390) traveled a median distance of 24.0 km (interquartile range (IQR) = 238.5 km) to NLCC and 86.7 km (IQR = 87.3 km) to UNTH, patients in Tanzania (n = 23) traveled a median distance of 537.0 km (IQR = 587.5 km) to ORCI, and patients in South Africa (n = 412) traveled a median distance of 18.0 km (IQR = 15.0 km) to IALCH. Estimated transportation cost savings for breast cancer patients in Lagos and Enugu were 12,895 Naira and 7,369 Naira (20% and 11% of MANNI per capita), respectively, and for prostate cancer patients were 25,329 and 14,276 Naira (38% and 22% of MANNI per capita), respectively. Prostate cancer patients in Tanzania saved a median of 137,765 Shillings (78% of MANNI per capita) in transportation costs. Significant time expenditures - a relevant consideration for patient convenience - were also saved for ORCI patients, including a median of 80.0 hours (includes travel, treatment, and wait times). Mean transportation cost savings for patients in South Africa were 4,777 Rand (72% of MANNI per capita) for breast cancer and 9,486 Rand (143% of MANNI per capita) for prostate cancer. Cancer patients in SSA travel considerable distances to access radiotherapy services. HFRT decreases patient-related costs and time expenditures, which may increase radiotherapy access and alleviate the growing burden of cancer in the region.

Telemedical consultations on oncology in the Republic of Bashkortostan

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 worldwide pandemic enabled the expanded use of telemedical technologies in many areas of medicine. Remote consultations helped conserve medical resources and reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 while preserving patients access to medical care. In addition, telemedicine played a role in caring for patients who live in remote regions. Other benefits include savings in transportation costs and travel time both for patients and caregivers. Telemedicine, together with remote health monitoring technologies, has high potential in developing a preventive healthcare system and increasing the accessibility of medical care and meets current challenges by improving healthcare quality and providing an individual approach to patients. In 2020, the Center of Telemedicine was created in the Republican Clinical Oncological Dispensary (RCOD) to organize and improve telemedical assistance to the population of the Republic of Bashkortostan in the oncology profile.
 AIM: To analyze telemedical consultations (TMCs) on oncology in the Republic of Bashkortostan for the period of 20202022.
 METHODS: Quantitative count and comparison of the TMCs conducted by the RCOD of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Bashkortostan in 20202022 and sent to the National Medical Research Center (NMRC) were performed. The work on referrals to the NMRC for revision of examination results (computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography/computed tomography, and histological examinations), obtaining a second opinion, and determining treatment tactics was organized.
 RESULTS: In 2020, 32,076 TMCs were conducted, while 225 TMCs were performed with the NMRC. In 2021, the RCOD conducted 52,139 TMCs (a 62% increase compared to 2020), whereas 473 TMCs took place in the NMRC (a 110% increase compared to 2020). During the 12 months of 2022, 57,456 TMCs were performed by RCOD staff (a 10% increase over the previous year), and 672 TMCs were conducted with the NMRC (a 42% increase compared to 2021). For feedback from referring medical organizations and monitoring and evaluating the quality of regional TMCs, conference calls were held with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Bashkortostan, chief physicians, and oncologists of the Republic of Bashkortostan.
 CONCLUSIONS: TMCs allow for the rapid exchange of medical information, thereby reducing the time of diagnosis and timely prescription of treatment, the implementation of timely routing of patients and improving the quality and availability of medical care in the oncology profile in the Republic of Bashkortostan. The annual increase in the number of TMCs is due to the growing need for this type of specialized medical care in this profile.

The economic value of the extracted elements from brine concentrates of Spanish desalination plants

The disposal of desalination brine, which contains a higher concentration of salts, is treated as waste and discharged into the environment. In this brine, several elements, when processing and extraction were possible, could be susceptible to exploitation and valorisation. Among all the ions existing in desalination brine, and whose industrial use is possible, sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) and boron (B) are found at high concentrations; there are also other elements, not as abundant as previous, but highly demanded in the current industry, such as lithium (Li), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr) or gallium (Ga). These elements, as well as other alkaline metals, have taken on considerable prominence today due to their technological applications. Analysing the prices and quotations of these elements in the international markets for raw materials, it is possible to determine the economic potential of this mining activity of desalination plants in Spain. The economic value of the extracted elements also incorporates other additional advantages, which focus on the elimination, or reduction, of brine discharges, the savings in transportation and transaction costs of raw materials, in addition to the considerable reduction in environmental impacts caused by traditional mining.

Types of financing from land value capture in Transit Oriented Areas in Terminal Baranangsiang

Transportation infrastructure plays an important role in increasing access and accelerating economic growth. The TOD design concept presents an area arrangement that is multi-use in nature and is integrated with the public transport network. Thus, there is another potential that can be captured from the high accessibility in the area, namely the opportunity to increase land value. The increase in land value comes as a result of the benefits obtained directly by residents of the TOD area, including various choices of transportation modes and also savings in transportation costs (Smith and Gihring, 2013). The method for capturing the increase in land value so that it is diverted for the development of facilities and infrastructure around the terminal or station location is known as Land Value Capture (LVC). The concept of Land Value Capture has been widely applied in many developing countries in the world. Among the many mechanisms and tools used in Land Value Capture, Jillella and Newman (2016) explain that joint development is the most widely used mechanism, followed by Tax Increment Financing and Property Tax. Thus in brief, TOD planning aims to increase accessibility in the area, where that accessibility can be converted into other sources of financing for the TOD project itself or the development of public transport infrastructure, through increasing land value with the LVC mechanism.

Expanding radiotherapy access in Sub-Saharan Africa: an analysis of travel burdens and patient-related benefits of hypofractionation.

The purpose of this project was to examine the travel burdens for radiotherapy patients in Nigeria, Tanzania, and South Africa, and to assess the patient-related benefits of hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) for breast and prostate cancer patients in these countries. The outcomes can inform the implementation of the recent Lancet Oncology Commission recommendations on increasing the adoption of HFRT in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to enhance radiotherapy access in the region. Data were extracted from electronic patient records at the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Center (NLCC) in Lagos, Nigeria and the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) in Durban, South Africa, from written records at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Oncology Center in Enugu, Nigeria, and from phone interviews at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Google Maps was used to calculate the shortest driving distance between a patient's home address and their respective radiotherapy center. QGIS was used to map the straight-line distances to each center. Descriptive statistics were used to compare transportation costs, time expenditures, and lost wages when using HFRT versus conventionally fractionated radiotherapy (CFRT) for breast and prostate cancer. Patients in Nigeria (n=390) traveled a median distance of 23.1km to NLCC and 86.7km to UNTH, patients in Tanzania (n=23) traveled a median distance of 537.0km to ORCI, and patients in South Africa (n=412) traveled a median distance of 18.0km to IALCH. Estimated transportation cost savings for breast cancer patients in Lagos and Enugu were 12,895 Naira and 7,369 Naira, respectively and for prostate cancer patients were 25,329 and 14,276 Naira, respectively. Prostate cancer patients in Tanzania saved a median of 137,765 Shillings in transportation costs and 80.0 hours (includes travel, treatment, and wait times). Mean transportation cost savings for patients in South Africa were 4,777 Rand for breast cancer and 9,486 Rand for prostate cancer. Cancer patients in SSA travel considerable distances to access radiotherapy services. HFRT decreases patient-related costs and time expenditures, which may increase radiotherapy access and alleviate the growing burden of cancer in the region.

An integrated production–distribution optimization model for multinational manufacturing corporations

ABSTRACT In proposing an integrated production–distribution model for multinational corporations (MNC), the current research undertakes a novel, simultaneous consideration of facility location, capacity acquisition/disposal, labor, manufacturing, purchasing, exchange rates, tariffs, and container and/or individual shipping factors. Unlike prior studies that examined some such factors. Based on real-world data from a window manufacturing MNC, a mixed integer linear programming model is developed and solved using CPLEX Solver. It reveals how the different features affect the base solution. Specifically, increased demand pushes more manufacturing to US and UK facilities rather than (low-cost) Chinese facilities; it helps meets some of China’s demand and leads to reduced total tariff costs. Decreased demand instead favors the Chinese facility, and the increase in tariff costs can be offset by savings in manufacturing and transportation costs. Changes to the factors have insignificant effects on the production and distribution mix, with little to no impact on total profits, because these costs are lower than capacity costs. The comprehensive proposed model provides firms with a framework for obtaining meaningful insights into how they can maintain their operations in sustainable, profitable ways. This research also should assist policymakers in making informed decisions regarding regulations on production and distribution strategies.

Assessing port readiness for mega vessels: the case of largest terminal seaports

ABSTRACT As a result of global developments, seaports must be fully equipped for the forthcoming period following years of continual improvement of vessel characteristics and capacity and recognition of significant global trade changes and challenges. Port management, transportation agencies, and even countries recognise the critical nature of assessing port readiness for mega vessels to take necessary actions and prepare for the next level of global competition. As such, this study aims to address terminal port readiness for mega vessels by applying multi-criteria decision-making methods. The Delphi technique was used as the first step in identifying the relevant factors and measures. Next, those related factors were quantified and ranked using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique. Following that, the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was used to evaluate port data and develop readiness indexes for the largest one hundred terminal ports worldwide. While the anticipated mega savings in transportation costs and economies of scale are significant, this study demonstrates that mega vessels present several challenges in port operations, infrastructure, sustainability, and system requirements.

On Prospects of Analytic Hierarchy Process Application for Freight Transportation Safety Management in Integrated Transport Systems

Integrated transport systems are a perfect form of transportation organization, because they allow integrated use of competing modes of transport, providing a high level of transportation service at affordable prices and savings in transportation costs. With the increasing demand for such transportation, the issue of transport safety assessment is becoming more important, particularly in preservation of cargo and vehicles in each section of the transportation process. In the process of technical progress, it becomes increasingly difficult to achieve a high enough level of transport safety, which allows to ensure national security and interests in the field of transport activities. Unfortunately, transport safety management today is mainly carried out at organizational level, which needs to be supplemented with safety assessment of transport system’s objects. The development of methods for transport safety assessment remains a complex scientific task, the solving of which depends on the economic efficiency and safety of the transportation process. Since transport safety is the state of the transport system, its assessment includes the safety assessments of various transport infrastructures. Thus, there is some imaginary protection field of the object of transport infrastructure, which provides counteraction to a set of existing or perceived threats. The proposed algorithm for safe freight transportation routes development may be divided into two cyclical stages: optimal transport hub determination from the alternatives; optimal transportation route choosing between selected transport hubs. The method provides a comprehensive and rational framework for structuring a decision problem, for representing and quantifying its elements, for relating those elements to overall goals, and for evaluating alternative solutions. The practical use of the proposed approach allows at the designing stage of multimodal transportation routes to evaluate their alternatives, according to the selected criteria and take the necessary measures in order to improve transport safety.

Solving Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem Using Football Game Algorithm

The Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem (CVRP) plays an important role in the logistics transportation sector. Determining the proper route will reduce the company's operational costs. In CVRP, a number of vehicles have a capacity limit that can serve all customers. This research completes a real case study on a bottled drinking water company where the company still uses the subjective method of the driver to determine the transportation route. Based on the conditions in the company, the selection of the best route will consider vehicle capacity and demand to determine the shortest route. The execution of this case study uses the Football Game Algorithm (FGA) which was first initiated by Fadakar Ebrahimi which proved promising and had the strongest performance in all cases. FGA is expected to be able to determine the shortest distribution route from the existing cases to reduce the distribution costs incurred. This study takes data from 4 days of delivery that served 78 customers. The average daily transportation cost savings result is 42%. This amount indicates that the FGA algorithm is effective for completing a real case study in CVRP.

Corrigendum to: Survey of paediatric telehealth benefits from the caregiver perspective.

Objective This study determined caregivers' evaluations of telehealth consultations for their child, preference over in-person consultations and potential cost savings by child condition, family socioeconomic status and location. Methods A survey was conducted of 2436 caregivers attending a telehealth consultation with their child for a broad group of conditions between 3 June and 25 August 2020 at a tertiary paediatric hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Results Most caregivers found telehealth consultations convenient, acceptable, safe and private, and capable of answering their questions and concerns. However, caregivers who spoke a language other than English and patients attending for behavioural and mental health, developmental or other (e.g. allied health) concerns were more likely to prefer in-person consultations over telehealth. Mean (±s.d.) reported cost savings on caregiver time were A$144.98 ± 99.04 per family per consultation, whereas mean (±s.d.) transport cost savings were A$84.90 ± 100.74 per family per consultation. Cost savings were greatest for families living in low and middle socioeconomic areas and regional or rural areas. Conclusions Paediatric telehealth video consultations were largely viewed favourably by caregivers, except for those attending for behavioural and mental health or developmental concerns. What is known about the topic? Adult consumers of telehealth consultations view them as useful, convenient and cost saving, but less is known about caregivers' evaluations of telehealth consultations and potential cost savings for paediatric patients, and whether these differ by family location, socioeconomic status or child condition. What does this paper add? This is the first Australian paper to report on caregivers' evaluations across a range of paediatric conditions and locations. Most caregivers found telehealth consultations convenient, safe, acceptable, able to answer their questions and concerns about their child's health and cost saving. What are the implications for practitioners? Caregivers of children with behavioural, mental health or developmental problems were less likely to prefer telehealth over in-person consultations, so practitioners should consider providing such consultations in person.

Technical and Economic Analysis of the Implementation of a Self-Sustainable Briquetting Process for Electric Generation

The wood industry is an essential part of the economy of some regions in Brazil. Although the excess of wood residue is an environmental concern, it is also an alternative source for electricity generation. This allows for compliance with current legislation to minimize environmental impacts such as strategies to control the emission of pollutants and the decarbonization in the wood exploration activity. Despite this, the thermoelectric plants based on wood residues face problems associated with the low efficiency in generation due to the high moisture content of the residues, and challenges related to transport and storage. In this sense, this work is to evaluate the application of a self-sustainable briquetting plant as an alternative for solving the problems associated with the high moisture content, transport, and storage of wood residues. The aspects related to the construction of the briquetting plant and economic indicators associated with the economic feasibility, such as, the estimation of the net present value over the project lifecycle, internal rate of return and pay-back period, are also presented and discussed. The results demonstrated the feasibility of the plant mainly due to the better energy/volume ratio of the briquette (drying and compaction) and the transportation cost savings associated to the density of the compacted material.