Math Students help their Community develop Balanced Refuse Collection Routes

Authors

  • Francis Joseph Vasko Department of Mathematics Kutztown University
  • Sean Andris Graduate of Kutztown Univwersity BS mathemaics May 2018
  • Brian Bailey Public Works Superintendent Kutztown Borough Kutztown, PA 19530 USA
  • Joe Ritzko Graduate of Kutztown Univwersity BS mathemaics May 2018

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21100/msor.v18i3.1043

Keywords:

the waste collection vehicle routing problem, operational research applications, undergraduate student projects.

Abstract

In fall of 2017, the Superintendent of Public Works for Kutztown Borough approached Kutztown University’s Department of Mathematics seeking help in “re-balancing†refuse collection routes in the Borough of Kutztown.  Historically, refuse was collected two days a week on the south side (Mondays and Thursdays) of Main Street and two days a week on the north side (Tuesdays and Fridays) of Main Street.  Wednesdays were used for recycling collection.  Over the years, new housing development was primarily on the north side of Main Street.  As a result of this development, refuse collection time had become “unbalancedâ€; requiring more time for the north side collection.  During the spring semester 2018, several math majors in their last semester at Kutztown University developed a new refuse collection strategy.  This strategy balanced collection times over the four collection days and just as importantly, minimized the modifications to the existing routes.  Additionally, a minimum number of residents were impacted while accounting for future housing development.  Their strategy has been successfully used in the Borough of Kutztown since August 2018.

Author Biographies

Francis Joseph Vasko, Department of Mathematics Kutztown University

Professor in the Department of mathematicsKutztown University

Sean Andris, Graduate of Kutztown Univwersity BS mathemaics May 2018

Graduate of Kutztown UnivwersityBS mathemaics May 2018

Brian Bailey, Public Works Superintendent Kutztown Borough Kutztown, PA 19530 USA

Public Works SuperintendentKutztown BoroughKutztown, PA 19530  USA

Joe Ritzko, Graduate of Kutztown Univwersity BS mathemaics May 2018

Graduate of Kutztown UnivwersityBS mathemaics May 2018

References

Benjamin, A. M., and J. E. Beasley. “Metaheuristics for the Waste Collection Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows, Driver Rest Period and Multiple Disposal Facilities.†Computers & Operations Research, vol. 37, no. 12, Dec. 2010, pp. 2270–2280., doi:10.1016/j.cor.2010.03.019.

Buhrkal, Katja, et al. “The Waste Collection Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows in a City Logistics Context.†Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, vol. 39, 2012, pp. 241–254., doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.03.105.

Malakahmad, Amirhossein, et al. “Solid Waste Collection Routes Optimization via GIS Techniques in Ipoh City, Malaysia.†Procedia Engineering, vol. 77, 2014, pp. 20–27., doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2014.07.023.

Wy, Juyoung, et al. “The Rollon–Rolloff Waste Collection Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows.†European Journal of Operational Research, vol. 224, no. 3, Feb. 2013, pp. 466–476., doi:10.1016/j.ejor.2012.09.001.

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Published

2020-07-25