Showing papers on "Fleet management published in 2015"

Driver Behavior Profiling Using Smartphones: A Low-Cost Platform for Driver Monitoring

Abstract: Today's smartphones and mobile devices typically embed advanced motion sensors. Due to their increasing market penetration, there is a potential for the development of distributed sensing platforms. In particular, over the last few years there has been an increasing interest in monitoring vehicles and driving data, aiming to identify risky driving maneuvers and to improve driver efficiency. Such a driver profiling system can be useful in fleet management, insurance premium adjustment, fuel consumption optimization or CO2 emission reduction. In this paper, we analyze how smartphone sensors can be used to identify driving maneuvers and propose SenseFleet, a driver profile platform that is able to detect risky driving events independently from the mobile device and vehicle. A fuzzy system is used to compute a score for the different drivers using real-time context information like route topology or weather conditions. To validate our platform, we present an evaluation study considering multiple drivers along a predefined path. The results show that our platform is able to accurately detect risky driving events and provide a representative score for each individual driver.

Literature survey of network optimization in container liner shipping

Abstract: Container liner shipping is one of the most important transportation modes in international trade. The industry is network-based, so network decision contributes much to the success of any operators. There are many decisions in respect of network optimization such as route and schedule design, port selection, fleet size and mix, fleet assignment and scheduling, container movement. Our paper conducts a literature survey to realize optimization problems, methodologies as well as research tendencies to deal with network optimization in container liner shipping. We focus on three major categories: container routing, fleet management and network design. Container routing is related to optimal flow movement of laden and empty containers. Fleet management is involved with decisions of ship assignment and scheduling. Network design is the problem of choosing ports and combining them to create the infrastructure of shipping operation.

Dynamic Ride-Sharing and Optimal Fleet Sizing for a System of Shared Autonomous Vehicles

Abstract: Shared autonomous (fully-automated) vehicles (SAVs) represent an emerging transportation mode for driverless and on-demand transport. Early actors include Google and Europe’s CityMobil2, who are seeking early pilot deployments in low-speed settings. This work seeks to understand SAVs’ potential for U.S. urban areas via multiple applications across the Austin, Texas, network. This work describes advances to existing agent- and network-based SAV simulations by enabling dynamic ride-sharing (DRS, to pool multiple travelers with similar origins, destinations and departure times in the same vehicle), optimizing fleet sizing, and anticipating profitability for operators in settings with no speed limitations on the vehicles and at adoption levels below 10 percent of all personal trip-making in the region. Results suggest that DRS reduces total service times (wait times plus in-vehicle travel times) and travel costs for SAV users, even after accounting for extra passenger pick-ups, drop-offs and non-direct routings. While the base-case scenario (serving 56,324 person-trips per day, on average) showed that a fleet of SAVs allowing for DRS may result in vehicle-miles traveled that exceed person-trip miles demanded (due to anticipatory relocations of empty vehicles, between trip calls), it is possible to reduce overall VMT as trip-making intensity (SAV membership) rises and/or DRS users become more flexible in their trip timing and routing. Finally, these simulation results suggest that a private fleet operator paying $70,000 per new SAV could earn a 19% annual (long-term) return on investment while offering SAV services at $1.00 per mile of a non-shared trip (which is less than a third of Austin’s average taxi cab fares).

Modeling dry-port-based freight distribution planning

Abstract: In this paper we review the dry port concept and its outfalls in terms of optimal design and management of freight distribution. Some optimization challenges arising from the presence of dry ports in intermodal freight transport systems are presented and discussed. Then we consider the tactical planning problem of defining the optimal routes and schedules for the fleet of vehicles providing transportation services between the terminals of a dry-port-based intermodal system. An original service network design model based on a mixed integer programming mathematical formulation is proposed to solve the considered problem. An experimental framework built upon realistic instances inspired by regional cases is described and the computational results of the model are presented and discussed.

Does driving behavior matter? An analysis of fuel consumption data from heavy-duty trucks

Abstract: In a case study of a Norwegian heavy-duty truck transport company, we analyzed data generated by the online fleet management system Dynafleet. The objective was to find out what influenced fuel consumption. We used a set of driving indicators as explanatory variables: load weight, trailer type, route, brake horsepower, average speed, automatic gearshift use, cruise-control use, use of more than 90% of maximum torque, a dummy variable for seasonal variation, use of running idle, use of driving in highest gear, brake applications, number of stops and rolling without engine load. We found, via multivariate regression analysis and corresponding mean elasticity analysis, that with driving on narrow mountainous roads, variables associated with infrastructure and vehicle properties have a larger influence than driver-influenced variables do. However, we found that even under these challenging infrastructure conditions, driving behavior matters. Our findings and analysis could help transport companies decide how to use fleet management data to reduce fuel consumption by choosing the right vehicle for each transportation task and identifying environmentally and economically benign ways of driving.

Sustainable Transportation Management System for a Fleet of Electric Vehicles

Abstract: In the last few years, significant efforts have been devoted to developing intelligent and sustainable transportation to address pollution problems and fuel shortages. Transportation agencies in various countries, along with several standardization organizations, have proposed different types of energy sources (such as hydrogen, biodiesel, electric, and hybrid technologies) as alternatives to fossil fuel to achieve a more ecofriendly and sustainable environment. However, to achieve this goal, there are significant challenges that still need to be addressed. We present a survey on sustainable transportation systems that aim to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. We describe the architectural components of a future sustainable means of transportation, and we review current solutions, projects, and standardization efforts related to green transportation with particular focus on electric vehicles. We also highlight the main issues that still need to be addressed to achieve a green transportation management system. To address these issues, we present an integrated architecture for sustainable transportation management systems.

Joint Planning of Fleet Deployment, Speed Optimization, and Cargo Allocation for Liner Shipping

Abstract: In this paper, we study a comprehensive model that addresses fleet deployment, speed optimization, and cargo allocation jointly, so as to maximize total profits at the strategic level. Our model considers a general fuel consumption function that depends on speed and load. To overcome intractability caused by nonlinear terms, we further separate fuel cost into two terms associated with ship speed and load to obtain a mixed integer linear programming formulation for approximation. Based on column generation techniques, we develop an iterative search algorithm that adaptively reorganizes the approximated formulation. We conduct extensive experiments using generated data sets from actual liner shipping services in different regions of the world to show the effectiveness of our approach as well as the significant impact of speed-load factors on fuel consumptions. Managerial insights are obtained by testing the model under different scenarios, which may greatly assist decision makers in the liner shipping industry.

Optimizing dial-a-ride services in Maryland: Benefits of computerized routing and scheduling

Abstract: This paper reports on a system developed to address the dial-a-ride problem and an implementation for Maryland where real-world practical constraints are considered in providing customized vehicle routing and scheduling for about 450 trip requests daily. The system, called Mobile Resource Management System (MRMS), allows for dispatch operators to quickly study different operational scenarios and, in a strategic setting, explore tradeoffs between level-of-service and various system characteristics, including fleet composition, fleet size and dispatch rules. Such insights play a key role in making long-term investment decisions or estimating cost of servicing contracts that have service level agreements. Test comparison of manual and MRMS-based routes indicated an estimated annual operational expense reduction of $0.82 million, or about 18% of the total annual expense. In addition to the cost benefits, improved quality of service and the reduction in total vehicle-kilometers traveled leading to environmental benefits are demonstrated.

A stochastic fleet size and mix model for maintenance operations at offshore wind farms

Abstract: A fleet of vessels and helicopters is needed to support maintenance operations at offshore wind farms. The cost of this fleet constitutes a major part of the total maintenance costs, hence keeping an optimal or near-optimal fleet is essential to reduce the cost of energy. In this paper we study the vessel fleet size and mix problem that arises for the maintenance operations at offshore wind farms, and propose a stochastic three-stage programming model. The stochastic model considers uncertainty in vessel spot rates, weather conditions, electricity prices and failures to the system. The model is tested on realistic-sized problem instances, and the results show that it is valuable to consider uncertainty and that the proposed model can be used to solve instances of a realistic size.

Security issues and vulnerabilities in connected car systems

Abstract: The Connected Revolution has reached the automotive industry and the Internet penetrates into the modern vehicles. Formerly acquiring data from a vehicle was the tool of Fleet Management Systems handling commercial vehicles. In the recent years connectivity began to appear in the passenger vehicles also. The first features were infotainment and navigation, having low security needs remaining far from the vehicular networks. Then telematics and remote control, such as keyless entry appeared and created a new security threat in the vehicle. The paper shows how the connected feature changes the vehicle and also presents vulnerabilities of each element to show the importance of cautious system security design.

The fleet renewal problem with regional emission limitations: Case study from Roll-on/Roll-off shipping

Abstract: In this paper, the maritime fleet renewal problem (MFRP) is extended to include regional limitations in the form of emission control areas. The motivation for including this aspect is that strengthening of emission regulations in such areas is expected to be challenging for deep sea shipping in the years to come. In the proposed model, various means to cope with these stricter emission regulations are evaluated for new vessels, and the possibility of upgrading existing vessels with new emission reduction technology is introduced. We consider future fuel prices to be important for the problem, and have chosen to treat them as uncertain, and thus, a stochastic programming model is chosen. A fleet renewal problem faced by the liner shipping operator Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, concerning whether to use low sulphur fuel or have an exhaust gas scrubber system installed to comply with sulphur regulation in emission control areas from 2015, is used as a case study. Furthermore, tests show that the savings from including the aspect of emission control areas in the MFRP are substantial.

Telematics system, methods and apparatus for two-way data communication between vehicles in a fleet and a fleet management system

Abstract: Programmable telematics systems, methods and apparatus for two-way transmission of data and information between fleet vehicles and a fleet management system. The systems and methods employ a programmable telematics communications unit (TCU) configured to connect to the OBD II port of a vehicle, enabling two-way transmission of data and information between a fleet management system and vehicles in the fleet. The TCU device includes cellular data connectivity enabling communication with the management system through existing cellular telephone networks. The programmable TCU may be toggled between multiple operating modes, wherein the TCU provides different functionality, such that a single vehicle may participate in multiple vehicle programs at different points in time, including separate vehicle rental and vehicle sharing programs.

Development of two driving cycles for utility vehicles

Abstract: Driving cycles are used to assess vehicle fuel consumption and pollutant emissions. The premise in this article is that suburban road-work vehicles and airport vehicles operate under particular conditions that are not taken into account by conventional driving cycles. Thus, experimental data were acquired from two pickup trucks representing both vehicle fleets that were equipped with a data logger. Based on experimental data, the suburban road-work vehicle showed a mixed driving behavior of high and low speed with occasional long periods of idling. In the airport environment, however, the driving conditions were restricted to airport grounds but were characterized by many accelerations and few high speeds. Based on these measurements, microtrips were defined and two driving cycles proposed. Fuel consumption and pollutant emissions were then measured for both cycles and compared to the FTP-75 and HWFCT cycles, which revealed a major difference: at least a 31% increase in fuel consumption over FTP-75. This increased fuel consumption translates into higher pollutant emissions. When CO 2 equivalent emissions are taken into account, the proposed cycles show an increase of at least 31% over FTP-75 and illustrate the importance of quantifying fleet speed patterns to assess CO 2 equivalent emissions so that the fleet manager can determine potential gains in energy or increased pollutant emissions.

Identifying Key Factors for Introducing GPS-Based Fleet Management Systems to the Logistics Industry

Abstract: The rise of e-commerce and globalization has changed consumption patterns. Different industries have different logistical needs. In meeting needs with different schedules logistics play a key role. Delivering a seamless service becomes a source of competitive advantage for the logistics industry. Global positioning system-based fleet management system technology provides synergy to transport companies and achieves many management goals such as monitoring and tracking commodity distribution, energy saving, safety, and quality. A case company, which is a subsidiary of a very famous food and retail conglomerate and operates the largest shipping line in Taiwan, has suffered from the nonsmooth introduction of GPS-based fleet management systems in recent years. Therefore, this study aims to identify key factors for introducing related systems to the case company. By using DEMATEL and ANP, we can find not only key factors but also causes and effects among key factors. The results showed that support from executives was the most important criterion but it has the worst performance among key factors. It is found that adequate annual budget planning, enhancement of user intention, and collaboration with consultants with high specialty could be helpful to enhance the faith of top executives for successfully introducing the systems to the case company.

Simulation and optimization of one-way car-sharing systems with variant relocation policies

Abstract: Car-sharing is a transportation service consisting of vehicles distributed over an urban area that any driver registered to the system can use. This paper focuses on one-way electric car-sharing systems. The success of such systems relies strongly on operations management and attractive rental conditions. Immediate availability and possibility of reservation in advance are key points. This induces strong constraints for the operator especially when some stations attract more trips as a destination than as an origin and vice versa. These imbalances must be corrected by performing vehicle relocations in a smart way to maximize vehicle availability and minimize operator’s costs. In order to understand the demand patterns and explore relocation possibilities, an event-based simulator is built in C#. The authors develop a new relocation strategy to minimize the demand loss due to vehicle unavailability. Implemented in parallel to rentals, it relies on the regular update of the relocation plans based on an optimization framework which utilizes the current state of the system and partial knowledge of near-future demand. This strategy is compared to three other strategies on a case study based on real data from Nice, France. They show that it maximizes the number of served demand and succeeds in keeping the system in a balanced state contrary to the other strategies considered.

Empty vehicles management as a method for reducing passenger waiting time in Personal Rapid Transit networks

Abstract: Empty vehicles management may improve the average waiting time for vehicle delivery in the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) network. In this study, original heuristic algorithm of empty vehicle management is presented. The algorithm is tested in several benchmark PRT structures under Feniks simulation environment. The results show that significant improvements of average waiting time may be achieved just because of the multi-parameter analysis of the present network state alone rather than by the predictive use of forecasted demand. The algorithm does not use any central database of demand and location of free vehicles. Instead, it assumes the local exchange of data between stations on their state and expected vehicles. Therefore it seems well tailored to a distributed implementation.

Multi-period liner ship fleet planning with dependent uncertain container shipment demand

Abstract: This paper deals with a realistic multi-period liner ship fleet planning problem by incorporating stochastic dependency of the random and period-dependent container shipment demand. This problem is formulated as a multi-period stochastic programming model with a sequence of interrelated two-stage stochastic programming (2SSP) problems characterized ship fleet planning in each single period. A solution method integrating dual decomposition and Lagrangian relaxation method is designed for solving the developed model. Numerical experiments are carried out to assess applicability and performance of the proposed model and solution algorithm. The results further demonstrate importance of stochastic dependence of the uncertain container shipment demand.

Cyber-Physical Systems in Future Maintenance

Abstract: Rapid and correct decision-making in big data environment is one of the most important challenges that companies are facing in today’s business world. But regardless of this significant requirement, lack of smart analytical tools has made several aspects of industry not ready to handle big data. As more intelligence is integrated in industrial products and manufacturing lines, smart algorithms with self-aware, self-predict, and self-configure capabilities can further transform manufacturing equipment, fleet management and production systems to achieve resilient and autonomously optimized productivity and services. This article addresses the application of cyber-physical systems in the future of maintenance strategies.

A stochastic model predictive control to heterogeneous rail freight car fleet sizing problem

Abstract: In this paper a rolling horizon approach is applied for simultaneous optimization of the rail freight car fleet size and allocation problem Developed dynamic model of loaded and empty rail freight car flows explicitly treats state, control and station capacity constraints in presence of various freight car types under the partial substitutability among them Demands and traveling times are considered as random variables Proposed approach is applied to a set of test cases and it shown to be successful, ultimately providing a new managerial tool for more effective and efficient planning and analyzing rail freight car fleets

Solving New Urban Freight Distribution Problems Involving Modular Electric Vehicles

Abstract: Vehicle routing problem (VRP) have been intensively studied over the past few years. Indeed, a strong strand of research is devoted to aid freight companies or public authorities in making their decisions. Nowadays, new solutions are proposed that take into account new technologies enabling the design of electric vehicles which can be used in new mobility schemes or help fleet owners stay competitive when delivering freight. In this study, the aim is to investigate the innovative concept of modular electric vehicles for goods delivery in cities. More precisely, the vehicles considered in this study can be split into two or several modules which can be let at a dedicated location and retrieved later during a run for charging purposes or to gain agility. The objective is then to address the challenging issues associated with the use of these new modular electric vehicles for urban freight transport. It is a completely new problem integrating both the complexity of the original VRP and specific constraints induced by using modular electric vehicles in urban environment. This study presents a first formulation of this problem together with a complete effective solving approach which shows promising results.

Routing and fleet deployment in liner shipping with spot voyages

Abstract: The routing, scheduling and fleet deployment is an important integrated planning problem faced by liner shipping companies which also lift load from the spot market. This paper is concerned with coordinating the decisions of the assignment of ships to contractual and spot voyages, and the determination of ship routes and schedules in order to maximize profit. We propose a new model for representing voyages as nodes of a directed graph which is used to build a mixed integer programming formulation. Besides contractual and spot nodes, another type of node is put forward to represent a combination of a contractual voyage with one or more spot voyages. In addition, the concept of dominated nodes is introduced in order to discard them and reduce the effort of the search for an optimal solution. A set of test problems has been generated taking into account real world assumptions. The test problems are solved by an optimization software and computational results are reported. The results show the potential of the approach to solve test problems of moderate size.

New QR Survey Methodologies to Analyze User Perception of Service Quality in Public Transport: The Experience of Madrid

Abstract: Customer Satisfaction Surveys (CSS) have become an important tool for public transport planners, as improvements in the perceived quality of service lead to greater use of public transport and lower traffic pollution Until now, Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) enhancements in public transport have traditionally included fleet management systems based on Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) technologies, which can be used to optimize routing and scheduling, and to feed real-time information into passenger information channels However, surveys of public transport users could also benefit from the new information technologies As most customers carry their smartphones when traveling, Quick Response (QR) codes open up the possibility of conducting these surveys at a lower cost This paper contributes to the limited existing literature by developing the analysis of QR codes applied to CSS in public transport and highlighting their importance in reducing the cost of data collection and processing The added value of this research is that it provides the first assessment of a real case study in Madrid (Spain) using QR codes for this purpose This pilot experience was part of a research project analyzing bus service quality in the same case study, so the QR code survey (155 valid questionnaires) was validated using a conventional face-to-face survey (520 valid questionnaires) The results show clearly that, after overcoming a few teething troubles, this QR code application will ultimately provide transport management with a useful tool to reduce survey costs

Optimal bus fleet management strategy for emissions reduction

Abstract: Transportation is a major cause for environmental degradation via exhaust emissions. For many transit-oriented metropolitan areas, bus trips often constitute a sizeable mode share. Managing the bus fleet, in particular updating buses to comply with the newer emissions standards, therefore, can have a substantial impact on transportation-induced air quality. This paper presents the approach of remaining life additional benefit–cost (RLABC) analysis for maximising the total net benefit by either early-retiring or retrofitting the current bus fleet within their lifespans. By referring to the net benefits for different bus types estimated by RLABC analysis, the most beneficial management scheme for the current bus fleet can be identified. Optimal bus fleet management (BFM) models based on the RLABC analysis for the operator and the government are developed. Then a government subsidy plan is produced to achieve win–win solutions, which will offer efficient and flexible management schemes. To illustrate the approach, the largest bus company in Hong Kong, which carries more than 23% of the total trips in Hong Kong, is taken as a case study example. Instead of adopting a fixed retirement plan, such as replacing buses at the age of 17 as is currently practised, the proposed method develops an optimal BFM scheme that progressively phases out buses or retrofits them. This study produces promising results to demonstrate the large benefit of this approach for optimal bus fleet management.

Motorway speed pattern identification from floating vehicle data for freight applications

Abstract: Nowadays, the diffusion of in-car navigators, location-enabled smartphones and various reasons for tracking vehicles – either for insurance and recovery, fleet management or for electronic tolling – are making floating car data (FCD) a leading solution for traffic monitoring. In the next years, this solution might be much more strengthened by the introduction and diffusion of black boxes, installed on commercial or private vehicles devoted to monitor or validate new safety technologies (e.g., the automatic in-vehicle emergency call service eCall in Europe). 1 FCD, possibly integrated with data coming from infrastructure-based monitoring systems, represents a valuable platform for intelligent transport systems (ITS). Traffic monitoring based on FCD relies on a processing algorithm for aggregating the measured data into an accurate and complete traffic map. In this paper we present an experimental study on FCD processing based on a unique large amount of data in Italy, provided by heavy-duty vehicles used as probes over the Italian A4 motorway. A processing procedure is proposed for identifying the typical speed patterns, to be used as baseline for automatic anomaly detection, transport planning or traffic analysis applications. A first assessment based on real traffic-event information shows that the comparison of the probe data to previously identified historical speed patterns allows a clear detection of anomalous events.

Real time Vehicle tracking system based on ARM7 GPS and GSM technology

Abstract: This Paper presents GPS based tracking system has many application in today's world. For example Vehicle tracking, children tracking, any equipment tracking, fleet management etc. An efficient vehicle tracking system is implemented for monitoring the movement of any equipped vehicle from any location at any time. With the help of Global Positioning System (GPS), Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) modem and microcontroller are embedded with the aim of enabling users to locate their vehicles with ease and in a convenient manner. This system provides the facility to the user to track their vehicle remotely through the mobile network. This paper present the development of vehicle tracking systems hardware prototype and GUI application for displaying the actual position of vehicle.