Showing papers on "Fleet management published in 2002"

An Adaptive Dynamic Programming Algorithm for Dynamic Fleet Management, I: Single Period Travel Times

Abstract: In a companion paper (Godfrey and Powell 2002) we introduced an adaptive dynamic programming algorithm for stochastic dynamic resource allocation problems, which arise in the context of logistics and distribution, fleet management, and other allocation problems. The method depends on estimating separable nonlinear approximations of value functions, using a dynamic programming framework. That paper considered only the case in which the time to complete an action was always a single time period. Experiments with this technique quickly showed that when the basic algorithm was applied to problems with multiperiod travel times, the results were very poor. In this paper, we illustrate why this behavior arose, and propose a modified algorithm that addresses the issue. Experimental work demonstrates that the modified algorithm works on problems with multiperiod travel times, with results that are almost as good as the original algorithm applied to single period travel times.

Itinerary-Based Airline Fleet Assignment

Abstract: We consider the airline fleet assignment problem involving the profit maximizing assignment of aircraft types to flight legs. Although several basic formulations have been proposed, important network considerations are insufficiently treated in these formulations and the resulting solutions are often suboptimal. We propose a new formulation and solution approach that captures network effects and generates superior solutions. We quantify the benefits of our proposed approach in a case study using data from a major United States airline.

BoneRoute: An Adaptive Memory-Based Method for Effective Fleet Management

Abstract: This paper presents an adaptive memory-based method for solving the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem (CVRP), called BoneRoute. The CVRP deals with the problem of finding the optimal sequence of deliveries conducted by a fleet of homogeneous vehicles, based at one depot, to serve a set of customers. The computational performance of the BoneRoute was found to be very efficient, producing high quality solutions over two sets of well known case studies examined.

Remote monitoring and control of a motorized vehicle

Abstract: Remote monitoring and control of a motorized vehicle (10) is performed using a communications and control hub (46) connected directly to an onboard diagnostic port (44) of the vehicle An auxiliary onboard diagnostic port (78) is provided to permit technicians to perform diagnostics on the vehicle All vehicle monitoring and control is effected without an auxiliary wiring harness The communications control hub is particularly useful for fleet management and dispatch systems

Mimics: exploiting satellite technology for an intelligent convoy

Abstract: Describes Mimics (Mobile Intelligent Model incorporating Independent Control and Sensing) - a manually-driven vehicle which, using GPS information, serves as the guide for a group of driverless vehicles. The vehicles that form the convoy are equipped with GPS receivers that enable precise self-localization and inter-vehicle communication. In the last few years, GPS has spurred many automotive groups to launch many different applications, including fleet management, road mapping and intelligent highway monitoring. GPS can also offer superb facilities for automated vehicle guidance, as described in this article.

Optimal Allocation of Resources To Meet Transit Fleet Requirements

Abstract: A two-stage procedure to optimally allocate limited resources for the dual purpose of purchasing new transit buses and rebuilding existing buses is presented in this paper In stage 1, estimates are derived for the maximum investment that can be justified for rebuilding buses that have fulfilled their service life expectations In stage 2, optimization by linear programming is used to estimate the number of buses in each category Two optimization approaches are presented In approach 1, the objective is to maximize the weighted fleet life, subject to budgetary and demand constraints In approach 2, the objective is to minimize the total capital investment in the fleet, subject to minimum fleet life and demand constraints Case studies are presented to demonstrate the application of two approaches The proposed procedure can be used by state Department of Transportation to allocate capital dollars among various transit agencies for the dual purpose of purchasing new buses and rebuilding older buses While it is desirable to replace all the old buses with new ones, budgetary constraints often make it impossible to fund the purchase of all new buses The proposed approach provides a tool to identify the “next best solution,” a solution that will result in an optimum combination of new and rebuilt buses that will satisfy the requirements of the minimum fleet size as well as the budgetary constraints

A step function for improving transit operations planning using fixed and variable scheduling

Abstract: This work describes an informative graphical technique for the problem of finding the least number of vehicles required to service a given timetable of trips. The technique used is a step function, a deficit function that was introduced during the last 20 years as an optimization tool for minimizing the number of vehicles in a fixed trip schedule, within given tolerances, and to the deficit function use for additional elements in the transit operations planning process. The work has the following objectives: to develop improved lower bound to the fixed schedule fleet size problem; to use the deficit function for minimizing the fleet size with variable schedules (possible shifts in departure times); to allow for the combination of deadheading trip insertions and shifts in departure times in the fleet size minimization problem; and to outline example applications of the deficit functions use in designing better transit services.

Data modeling of moving objects with GPS/GIS in Web environment

Abstract: Storing and processing the information about moving objects is crucial for a wide range of applications: traffic control, transportation industry/fleet management, digital battlefields, ecology/environment monitoring, mobile communication systems, etc Consider a database that represents information about moving objects and their location There is a critical set of capabilities that are needed by moving objects database applications and are lacking in existing DBMS's, they are: moving object's location modeling, linguistics issue, index and uncertainty/imprecision management In this paper we propose our solutions of these questions and give a test-bed of them

Commercial applications arising from a floating vehicle data system in europe

Abstract: This paper will provide an overview of the systems architecture and procedures required to establish and operate a commercial FVD system and share examples of the data generated in various formats. It will also explain why ITIS created a Road TimeTable and what functionality this offers. The paper will go on to outline a number of commercial services based on FVD that are either already operating in commercial environments or are in development, focusing on three specific Case Studies: (1) Network Monitoring - the use of FVD historic and real time data by the Public Sector to provide journey time statistics and real time traffic management information; (2) RDS-TMC - an advanced traffic messaging system delivering real time content via the RDS-TMC that can integrate with car audio system or navigation devices and creating the UK'S first dynamic re-routing application; (3) National Express Coaches - state of the art fleet management application with the ability to provide estimated time of arrival services. The paper will conclude with an update on work in progress including the ongoing development of predictive journey time capability and logistics applications. It will also demonstrate that the ITIS approach to FVD is completely scalable and already operating on a pan European basis.

Manufacturing supply chain applications: ai-based optimization for fleet management in maritime logistics

Abstract: This paper outlines the features of an automated Decision Support System (DSS) developed to optimize the logistics of maritime transportation for a large chemical company. The paper focuses on the design and implementation of an optimization module to complement a DSS architecture including dynamic databases, decision heuristics, and dynamic process simulation, for the systematic generation of cost-effective fleet configurations capable of meeting the company's production requirements.

Analysis of travel times and routes on urban roads by means of floating-car data

Abstract: This paper outlines an approach, which analyzes travel time and routes by GPS floating car data. GPS data from a Taxi client disposition system are used for real-time traffic information services using the Berlin Taxi company. Since May 2001 several millions of position data from the associated Taxi fleet have been collected. These data are an excellent basis for data mining because they analyze the daily variation of travel time on almost all of the major roads of Berlin. Various commercial applications just as real-time traffic monitoring, time-dynamic routing or fleet management can benefit from the results.

Mobile Fleet Application using Soap and System on Devices (SYD) Middleware Technologies.

Abstract: This paper presents a fleet management application with heterogeneity of devices and data, database synchronization, group transactions, peer-to-peer computing, and mobility support. We simulate a delivery service's fleet of trucks with PCs and hand-held devices, and describe how the system works together. To send messages between devices, we use the Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), allowing heterogeneous devices to communicate as peers. We examine current scenarios of our system, and discuss future enhancements. The adhoc nature of the solutions based on the existing technologies has led us to design a comprehensive middleware, namely, System on Devices (SyD), which we also describe briefly. SyD enables rapid development of collaborative applications, such as a fleet system, over heterogeneous, independent, data stores, devices, and wired and wireless networks, including those involving the web services.

Queensland crash data on work-related road trauma

Abstract: This paper examines Queensland crash data on work-related crashes and injuries. Queensland Transport maintains a comprehensive database of road crashes reported to police. Involvement of commercial vehicles in road crashes is recorded in the database. This paper examines trends in commercial vehicle involvement in crashes and the major characteristics of crashes involving commercial vehicles.

Workplace Health and Safety in the road transport industry: a sleeping giant

Abstract: The increasing costs associated with road crashes and other vehicle-related health and safety issues points to a need to manage fleet safety more effectively. This paper examines the coverage of road transport and occupational health and safety law in relation to fleet safety management to demonstrate the nexus between them. The paper then explores how a risk management approach to fleet management that is integrated with the workplace's health and safety management system can be adopted to more effectively and efficiently manage fleet safety.

Applying performance standards to the australian heavy vehicle fleet

Abstract: In 1999 the National Road Transport Commission (NRTC) and Austroads initiated a major joint project to develop Pelformance Rased Standards (PRS) for heavy vehicle regulation in Australia and New Zealand. This paper discusses the principles that form the foundations of PRS and the process that will be followed in determining how vehicles can operate under the system. The benefits of moving to Performance Standards and the key issues in implementing a PRS approach are discussed. A set of 25 proposed peiformance standards were developed against which the Australian heavy vehicle fleet was tested. Fifteen of these measures have been selectedfor further development and implementation. This paper reviews a large body of work being undertaken over a three-year period. A number of reports published by the NRTC provide in-depth technical background on specific issues discussed here; policy principles, selecting and setting performance standards, and assessing computer simulation models. These papers maybe accessed through the NRTC Website (rv11111'.nrtc. gov.au), where more information on the wider project may also be obtained. 1. BACKGROUND Heavy vehicles in Australia and New Zealand are regulated predominantly by prescriptive standards that evolved over a long period and often differed between States and Territories . Through the reforms progressed by the National Road Transport Commission (NRTC) many inconsistencies have been removed. Nevertheless, some remain particularly in relation to innovative approaches to solving transport needs. Modernising regulations by moving to a nationally consistent performance based approach to regulation of heavy vehicle operations is now being considered as a voluntary optional alternative to the existing prescriptive regulations. Under a performance-based approach to regulation, standards would specify the performance required from vehicle operations rather than mandating how this level of performance is to be achieved. In Australia and New Zealand this approach to regulation has been adopted in other sectors, such as occupational health and safety and food standards, and is now well established as the approach preferred by regulatory review agencies. The performance based standards (PBS) project seeks to align regulatory requirements more closely with the realities of how vehicles perform, how they are driven and operated, and the characteristics of the road network. It aims to improve productivity, increase safety, and to better protect the infrastructure. Traditionally, heavy vehicles have been regulated by tightly defined prescriptive limits, such as mass and size limits, which provide little scope for innovation. This method of control is very crude, with no guarantees that vehicles meeting the current requirements do not have relatively poor performance. Many of the intrinsic safety issues such as stability, handling and controllability, high-speed tracking, and gradeability are not evaluated and are only indirectly controlled, if at all. Under PBS, the interactions of vehicles with the roads they will be used on are taken into account more explicitly. In determining whether a specific vehicle can operate on a particular road, the vehicle's capabilities and the relevant road standards and traffic conditions can be examined jointly to decide whether the operation meets the performance standards.

Intelligent transportation systems: helping public transit support welfare to work initiatives

Abstract: The study was conducted to identify ITS technologies that transit systems are using, particularly to aid in the progress of the Welfare to Work Initiative. ITS technologies categorized in fleet management and operations, traveler information systems, and electronic fare collection were identified and presented to transit management for selection of technologies used by the systems. The technologies within transit management include automatic passenger counter, automatic vehicle locator, geographic information systems, scheduling and dispatching, traffic signal priority. Two different surveys were used to gather information for the study.

Spatio-Temporal Quality of Precision Farming Applications

Abstract: The successful use of precision farming technology for automated data acquisition, site specific farming, fleet management and field robots makes it necessary to have a detailed knowledge on the quality of all utilized equipment. To get knowledge on this quality is the aim of the presented investigation. Key technologies such as the positioning system or the standardized bus communication are the main subjects. The delays and errors of these systems and their variance allow to point out limiting factors and formulate general design rules for future precision farming developments.

Daily cost considerations in the operations of commercial motorcycles in Nigeria: a locational analysis for Akure township

Abstract: Most planning solutions aimed at ensuring the continuous operation of public transport modes in Nigeria do not succeed, because they are ad hoc and fail to take into consideration costs incurred daily by operators of transport fleet. This paper examines some factors that explain the costs of daily operations of commercial motorcyclists (locally called Okadas) in Akure, Nigeria. The Okada is a new mode regarded to have contributed to improved public transport in the city. Empirical estimates show that factors that significantly explain costs of daily operations of Okadas include: various levies imposed by union officials (garaging costs); districts of operation; ownership of business; ability of operators to repair or maintain their machines and the total number of hours spent in operations each day. Some policy implications of finding are discussed.

AI-based optimization for fleet management in maritime logistics

Abstract: This paper outlines the features of an automated decision support system (DSS) developed to optimize the logistics of maritime transportation for a large chemical company. The paper focuses on the design and implementation of an optimization module to complement a DSS architecture including dynamic databases, decision heuristics, and dynamic process simulation, for the systematic generation of cost-effective fleet configurations capable of meeting the company's production requirements.

California competitive cities: a report card on efficiency in service delivery in california's largest cities

Abstract: This report examines how efficiently 10 of California's largest cities deliver services. The services investigated include: building maintenance, fire protection, parks and recreation, street repair, fleet management, emergency medical services, police services, libraries, water services, and solid waste services. The cities examined are Fresno, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Jose, Long Beach, Anaheim, San Diego, Oakland, Santa Ana, and San Francisco.

Fleet safety - lessons from around the world

Abstract: In response to an increasing awareness of the role of work-related driving in crashes and the related costs, many private and government organisations have developed programmes to improve fleet safety. The fleet safety initiatives identified as potentially effective were selecting safer vehicles, some particular driver training and education programmes, incentives (not rewards), and company safety programmes in companies with an overall safety emphasis. European research and programmes vary widely from the incorporation of fleet safety into quality assurance of transport in Sweden to the use of driver training and driver discussion groups in other jurisdictions. Ecodriving has potential benefits in improving safety, reducing fuel consumption (and thus costs) and improving the environmental performance of the fleet. In Australia, Europe and other parts of the world the effectiveness of fleet safety initiatives is rarely evaluated. Evaluations and cost estimates are necessary to convince both fleets and government agencies of the effectiveness of fleet safety initiatives.

Organization of Emergency Response After a Major Disaster Event in an Urban Area with the Help of an Automatic Vehicle Location and Control System

Abstract: The quick response of civil authorities after a major disaster event in an urban area is essential for the reduction of damages and impacts to human lives One of the first critical problems to be solved at the very early stages of response is the optimum management of emergency vehicles and real time knowledge of the accessibility of the road network In this article the concept of using a number of emergency vehicles as sensors for monitoring the traffic conditions in an urban area after a major disaster event is described The fleet management system used for this taks is working with ral time DGPS The system makes use of existing vehicle fleets in the urban area, rapidly collecting data and covering the whole road network It records travel times with the help of the GPS system for every road segment driven through by each vehicle sensor, thus providing a digital time database from which traffic parameters can be also computed It can be used for real time monitoring of traffic conditions under disaster or emergency situations where all the previously available data become invalid or unreliable © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

A sequential group decision-making approach to strategic planning for the development of commercial vehicle operations systems

Abstract: This paper explores a new sequential decision methodology which integrates a generalized sequential probability ratio testing approach with a strategy-value matrix analytical tool to determine the developmental priorities of commercial vehicle operations (CVO) technical packages for CVO time-based strategic planning. The proposed method executes a sequential decision algorithm utilizing the strategic elements of strategy-value matrices which are estimated on the basis of the data collected from the survey respondents. In the process of sequential decision making, the identification of a specific CVO value-added technology package can be made once the condition of the minimum group decision-making cost is met. In addition to methodology development, a real case study together with a nation-wide mail survey to aid the estimation of the strategy-value matrix samples which were used as inputs to the proposed sequential decision algorithm was conducted in Taiwan to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method. Utilizing the proposed method, we determined efficiently the developmental priorities of CVO technology packages for short-term, mid-term, and long-term strategic plans, respectively. Our analyses results indicated that the CVO package used for fleet management appears to be the most urgently needed in the short-term CVO strategic plan; value-added technology packages including: (1) data warehousing, (2) information technology, (3) integration with the supply chain management (SCM) platform, (4) freight mobility, (5) integration with advanced traffic management systems (ATMS), and (6) extension for intermodal operations are assigned to the mid-term CVO strategic plan; and others including: (1) freight administration, (2) HAZMAT management, (3) on-board safety monitoring, and (4) roadside safety inspections are involved in the long-term CVO strategic plan. We expect that this study can make available the proposed decision-making support method with benefits not only for planning CVO development strategies, but also for re-examining the role of commercial vehicle operations in a comprehensive extent.

Overcoming the barriers to fleet safety in Australia

Abstract: This paper identifies that improved fleet safety can enhance business effectiveness, road safety and occupational health and safety. Several recent UK and Australian-based projects are reviewed to identify a range of barriers to successful fleet safety. Ten such barriers are identified as: purpose of journey data, operational procedures and structures, senior management commitment, integration between fleet safety and OHS, 'claims-led' procedures, crash investigations, standard definitions and conventions, reactive focus on injury prevention, inflexible attitudes to change and poor management. The main area for improvement in the research is identified as the need for more rigorous evaluation incorporating control groups.

Analysis of cost data and development of equipment framework

Abstract: The primary function of equipment managers is to provide the proper equipment, at the right time and at the lowest overall cost. A major task in accomplishing function is fleet planning, which involves identifying the requirements of equipment users, developing optimal strategies to meet those needs, and putting the plan into action. Economic equipment replacement is a complex portion of this process, and the main thrust of this research project is to develop an automated computer software to assist in replacement decisions and prioritize units for replacement. This research report is an interim documentation of the first two phases of this research project, namely the data analysis and the development of a framework for the computerized system. The next reports of this project will respectively document in detail the research conducted and the software development, providing a user manual for software implementation. The final report of this series is a brief project summary of the research development and implementation.

Transmitting patient and device data via GSM--central management for decentral mobile medical devices.

Abstract: Equipping medical devices with long range telemetry opens completely new possibilities for emergency response, home care and remote diagnosis. Mobile communications nowadays seem to be a generally accepted part of our modern world, but bridging the gap between new (consumer-) technologies and medical devices still is a challenge today. Providing a telemetry link (GSM) is just the trivial part--ensuring security, reliability and service management are the more critical tasks that need to be addressed. Therefore, a complete system concept consists of an automatic fleet management (e.g. periodic device-initiated service calls) as well as customer relationship management (CRM), including technical service and a trouble-ticket system.

Sharing electric vehicles in kyoto: kyoto public car system

Abstract: This paper describes a survey of the Kyoto Public Car System project, which is comprised of a shared fleet of electric vehicles using advanced fleet management systems on a rental basis. It started operation in December 2000 with 180 subscribers, five stations and 19 two-seaters. A simulation model was developed to represent the system and help design its configuration. A small number of frequent users accounted for most of the activity. High user satisfaction was recorded. In September 2001, membership was extended to non-residents of Kyoto. Users were also assessed fees to cover the costs of charging the vehicles after they used them. The system continued to be operated in the hope of striking the right balance between the need to raise revenues without pricing the cars higher than alternatives.