Title: Optimisation of solid waste collection routes using Premium Solver Platform

Authors: Adeniyi Saheed Aremu; Ritesh Vijay; M.A. Tijani

Addresses: Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Kwara State, 240003, Nigeria ' Environmental Systems Design and Modeling Division, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nehru Marg, Nagpur, 440020, India ' Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Kwara State, 240003, Nigeria

Abstract: This study illustrates the application of Premium Solver Platform software to optimise tours for the collection of municipal solid waste. Data required for optimisation was obtained from the municipal solid waste management authority, field studies and digitised map of a study area. Thereafter the optimisation problem was formulated as a travelling salesman problem (TSP) on Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. The solver engine of the software generated optimal result for the TSP in less than 1 minute for each computer run and the output in eight out of ten routes showed reduction in the tour distance by 0.98 to 14.61%. This reduction could in turn decrease time, costs and emissions associated with collection operation. The method proposed in this study can also generate accurate decisions within a short period for large routing problems especially in mega cities.

Keywords: municipal solid waste; waste collection routes; routing optimisation; Premium Solver Platform; solid waste management; travelling salesman problem; TSP.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2014.064581

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2014 Vol.14 No.3, pp.222 - 231

Received: 21 Dec 2012
Accepted: 11 Dec 2013
Published online: 06 Sep 2014 *

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