The scope for dynamic collection scheduling using remote asset monitoring: a case study in the charity sector

McLeod, F.N., Erdogan, Gunes, Cherrett, T.J. and Bektas, Tolga (2012) The scope for dynamic collection scheduling using remote asset monitoring: a case study in the charity sector. 17th Logistics Research Network Conference 2012, Cranfield University, Bedford, United Kingdom. 04 - 06 Sep 2012. 8 pp .

Abstract

Many waste collection operations run on the traditional fixed round - fixed time service, where commercial and domestic customers have their bins serviced at agreed intervals. With remote sensing technology now coming onto the market that allows waste receptacles to report their fill levels at regular intervals (e.g. daily), there is the opportunity for dynamic optimisation of collection schedules to better meet their true servicing needs. This paper investigates this possibility using a case study involving collections of donated goods (e.g. clothing, books) from Oxfam charity banks and shops. Oxfam operates a network of around 1300 donation banks across the UK, currently serviced on a fixed schedule basis, and there is considerable interest in the transport cost reductions that could be realised through optimising collections using real-time feedback on donation rates (a dynamic and heterogeneous variant of the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) with time windows, working time restrictions and customer selection). The case study is based on one of Oxfam’s 33 defined operating areas in the UK comprising collections from 37 bank sites and 50 shops.

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Contributors

Author: F.N. McLeod

Author: T.J. Cherrett

Author: Tolga Bektas

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