Optimal Network Design for Municipal Waste Management: Application to the Metropolitan City of Rome

<i>Background:</i> This work is part of the regional research project PIPER—Intelligent Platform for the Optimization of Recycling Operations, which aims to develop a network design model for waste collection in the metropolitan city of Rome, Italy. The goal is to enhance the strategic p...

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Main Authors: Marco Boresta, Anna Livia Croella, Claudio Gentile, Laura Palagi, Diego Maria Pinto, Giuseppe Stecca, Paolo Ventura
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-08-01
Series:Logistics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/8/3/79
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author Marco Boresta
Anna Livia Croella
Claudio Gentile
Laura Palagi
Diego Maria Pinto
Giuseppe Stecca
Paolo Ventura
author_facet Marco Boresta
Anna Livia Croella
Claudio Gentile
Laura Palagi
Diego Maria Pinto
Giuseppe Stecca
Paolo Ventura
author_sort Marco Boresta
collection DOAJ
description <i>Background:</i> This work is part of the regional research project PIPER—Intelligent Platform for the Optimization of Recycling Operations, which aims to develop a network design model for waste collection in the metropolitan city of Rome, Italy. The goal is to enhance the strategic planning of treatment and disposal facilities by incorporating transshipment locations to improve the efficiency of waste collection. The motivation for this study stems from the stringent targets set by the European Green Deal to achieve near-zero emissions and the critical role of waste management in realizing circular economy practices. <i>Methods:</i> The problem is formulated as a mixed integer linear program (MILP) that includes constraints on vehicle allocation to shifts and driver requirements. An additional feature of the model is its ability to account for vehicle maintenance issues when deployed on consecutive shifts. <i>Results:</i> The model was tested against a real-world case study in Rome and demonstrated significant potential savings, with a reduction in total traveled distance exceeding 10%. The mathematical model was also used for evaluating strategic scenarios in a “what-if” analysis, allowing the municipal collection company to assess location options for depots, waste treatment facilities, and transshipment points, as well as to optimize the fleet composition and driver allocation during work shifts. <i>Conclusions:</i> This study presents a robust tool for strategic planning in waste collection operations, highlighting the benefits of using transshipment locations to improve efficiency. The findings indicate substantial potential for cost savings and operational improvements, making the model a valuable asset for municipal waste management planning.
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spelling doaj-art-e7775b7d500146e68273b3bd4c535c542025-08-20T02:50:56ZengMDPI AGLogistics2305-62902024-08-01837910.3390/logistics8030079Optimal Network Design for Municipal Waste Management: Application to the Metropolitan City of RomeMarco Boresta0Anna Livia Croella1Claudio Gentile2Laura Palagi3Diego Maria Pinto4Giuseppe Stecca5Paolo Ventura6Istituto di Analisi dei Sistemi ed Informatica “Antonio Ruberti”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via dei Taurini 19, 00185 Rome, ItalyDipartimento di Ingegneria Informatica, Automatica, e Gestionale “A. Ruberti”, Università la Sapienza di Roma, 00185 Rome, ItalyIstituto di Analisi dei Sistemi ed Informatica “Antonio Ruberti”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via dei Taurini 19, 00185 Rome, ItalyDipartimento di Ingegneria Informatica, Automatica, e Gestionale “A. Ruberti”, Università la Sapienza di Roma, 00185 Rome, ItalyIstituto di Analisi dei Sistemi ed Informatica “Antonio Ruberti”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via dei Taurini 19, 00185 Rome, ItalyIstituto di Analisi dei Sistemi ed Informatica “Antonio Ruberti”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via dei Taurini 19, 00185 Rome, ItalyIstituto di Analisi dei Sistemi ed Informatica “Antonio Ruberti”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via dei Taurini 19, 00185 Rome, Italy<i>Background:</i> This work is part of the regional research project PIPER—Intelligent Platform for the Optimization of Recycling Operations, which aims to develop a network design model for waste collection in the metropolitan city of Rome, Italy. The goal is to enhance the strategic planning of treatment and disposal facilities by incorporating transshipment locations to improve the efficiency of waste collection. The motivation for this study stems from the stringent targets set by the European Green Deal to achieve near-zero emissions and the critical role of waste management in realizing circular economy practices. <i>Methods:</i> The problem is formulated as a mixed integer linear program (MILP) that includes constraints on vehicle allocation to shifts and driver requirements. An additional feature of the model is its ability to account for vehicle maintenance issues when deployed on consecutive shifts. <i>Results:</i> The model was tested against a real-world case study in Rome and demonstrated significant potential savings, with a reduction in total traveled distance exceeding 10%. The mathematical model was also used for evaluating strategic scenarios in a “what-if” analysis, allowing the municipal collection company to assess location options for depots, waste treatment facilities, and transshipment points, as well as to optimize the fleet composition and driver allocation during work shifts. <i>Conclusions:</i> This study presents a robust tool for strategic planning in waste collection operations, highlighting the benefits of using transshipment locations to improve efficiency. The findings indicate substantial potential for cost savings and operational improvements, making the model a valuable asset for municipal waste management planning.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/8/3/79waste managementnetwork designfleet optimizationlogistics
spellingShingle Marco Boresta
Anna Livia Croella
Claudio Gentile
Laura Palagi
Diego Maria Pinto
Giuseppe Stecca
Paolo Ventura
Optimal Network Design for Municipal Waste Management: Application to the Metropolitan City of Rome
Logistics
waste management
network design
fleet optimization
logistics
title Optimal Network Design for Municipal Waste Management: Application to the Metropolitan City of Rome
title_full Optimal Network Design for Municipal Waste Management: Application to the Metropolitan City of Rome
title_fullStr Optimal Network Design for Municipal Waste Management: Application to the Metropolitan City of Rome
title_full_unstemmed Optimal Network Design for Municipal Waste Management: Application to the Metropolitan City of Rome
title_short Optimal Network Design for Municipal Waste Management: Application to the Metropolitan City of Rome
title_sort optimal network design for municipal waste management application to the metropolitan city of rome
topic waste management
network design
fleet optimization
logistics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/8/3/79
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AT laurapalagi optimalnetworkdesignformunicipalwastemanagementapplicationtothemetropolitancityofrome
AT diegomariapinto optimalnetworkdesignformunicipalwastemanagementapplicationtothemetropolitancityofrome
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