Title: Modelling and discrete-event simulation for ski lifts service operations design

Authors: Fatah Chetouane, Remy Bernier, Abderrahmane Fadil

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering, Universite de Moncton, 18 avenue Antonine-Maillet, Moncton, New Brunswick, E1A 3E9, Canada. ' Faculty of Engineering, Universite de Moncton, 18 avenue Antonine-Maillet, Moncton, New Brunswick, E1A 3E9, Canada. ' Faculty of Engineering, Universite de Moncton, 18 avenue Antonine-Maillet, Moncton, New Brunswick, E1A 3E9, Canada

Abstract: This research focuses on the preliminary planning and design of an Alpine skiing lift system in the Mount Carleton Provincial Park, in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. Linear programming (LP) model and discrete-event simulation are combined to design ski lifts selection alternatives and evaluate their service performances based on mountain valley topographical data, skier population features, and ski lift technical specifications. LP model is used to solve the ski lifts selection problem while discrete-event simulation is used to evaluate service quality indicators such as skier waiting times, ski lift queues length, and ski lift utilisation rates in the ski resort early design phase.

Keywords: ArcMap; Arena software; discrete event simulation; linear programming; operations design; optimisation; ski lifts allocation; ski resort planning; service performance; service demand level; service industry; set-up cost.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSEM.2011.042784

International Journal of Services, Economics and Management, 2011 Vol.3 No.4, pp.393 - 410

Published online: 04 Oct 2011 *

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