A multiobjective modeling approach to locate multi-compartment containers for urban-sorted waste
- INESC-Coimbra, Rua Antero Quental 199, 3000-141 Coimbra (Portugal)
- INESC-Coimbra, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Coimbra, Polo II, 3030-194 Coimbra (Portugal)
- INESC-Coimbra, Faculty of Economics, University of Coimbra, Av. Dias da Silva 165, 3004-512 Coimbra (Portugal)
The location of multi-compartment sorted waste containers for recycling purposes in cities is an important problem in the context of urban waste management. The costs associated with those facilities and the impacts placed on populations are important concerns. This paper introduces a mixed-integer, multiobjective programming approach to identify the locations and capacities of such facilities. The approach incorporates an optimization model in a Geographical Information System (GIS)-based interactive decision support system that includes four objectives. The first objective minimizes the total investment cost; the second one minimizes the average distance from dwellings to the respective multi-compartment container; the last two objectives address the 'pull' and 'push' characteristics of the decision problem, one by minimizing the number of individuals too close to any container, and the other by minimizing the number of dwellings too far from the respective multi-compartment container. The model determines the number of facilities to be opened, the respective container capacities, their locations, their respective shares of the total waste of each type to be collected, and the dwellings assigned to each facility. The approach proposed was tested with a case study for the historical center of Coimbra city, Portugal, where a large urban renovation project, addressing about 800 buildings, is being undertaken. This paper demonstrates that the models and techniques incorporated in the interactive decision support system (IDSS) can be used to assist a decision maker (DM) in analyzing this complex problem in a realistically sized urban application. Ten solutions consisting of different combinations of underground containers for the disposal of four types of sorted waste in 12 candidate sites, were generated. These solutions and tradeoffs among the objectives are presented to the DM via tables, graphs, color-coded maps and other graphics. The DM can then use this information to 'guide' the IDSS in identifying additional solutions of potential interest. Nevertheless, this research showed that a particular solution with a better objective balance can be identified. The actual sequence of additional solutions generated will depend upon the objectives and preferences of the DM in a specific application.
- OSTI ID:
- 21483678
- Journal Information:
- Waste Management, Vol. 30, Issue 12; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2010.06.017; PII: S0956-053X(10)00332-6; Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; ISSN 0956-053X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CAPACITY
COMPARTMENTS
CONTAINERS
COST
DISTANCE
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
INVESTMENT
MAPS
MATHEMATICAL SOLUTIONS
MUNICIPAL WASTES
OPTIMIZATION
PORTUGAL
PROGRAMMING
RECYCLING
SIMULATION
STORAGE FACILITIES
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
URBAN AREAS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
EUROPE
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
MANAGEMENT
STORAGE
WASTES
WESTERN EUROPE