computing a better way to plow in northeastern minnesota
DESCRIPTION
COMPUTING A BETTER WAY TO PLOW IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA. Kwasi D. Amoah, Graduate Student, MSEM University of Minnesota Duluth Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Northland Advanced Transportation Systems Research Laboratory. Background. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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MDSS Stakeholder MeetingJune, 18 2003
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COMPUTING A BETTER WAY TO PLOW IN NORTHEASTERN
MINNESOTA
Kwasi D. Amoah, Graduate Student, MSEM
University of Minnesota DuluthDepartment of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
Northland Advanced Transportation Systems Research Laboratory
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Background
• Snowplow Operations & Resource Management (SORM)
• Funded through the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) and the Center for Transportation Studies (CTS), University of Minnesota
• Focus on Winter Maintenance issues in District 1 of Mn/DOT
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Concerns
• Efficient and effective utilization of resources• Consistent service levels for roadways• Previous attempts in implementing route
optimization software by Mn/DOT failed • Federal Highway Administration’s development
of multi-state decision support system for winter road maintenance
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Goal• Develop a Management Planning
Tool (Decision Support System) using Discrete Event Simulation Modeling to assist in– Operations Improvement– Resource Utilization– “What-if” Scenarios
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Why Simulation?
• Complexity of operations cannot be modeled by analytical methods
• Provides a mechanism for developing and analyzing different scenarios
• Serves as a general management tool that can be modified to meet future needs
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Our Approach
• Work with Virginia, MN
• Select 5 routes on Highway 53 corridor
• Work with Area Superintendent, Supervisors and Drivers to understand operations
Virginia
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Clean up
Post Plowing Operations•Dump Extra Sand and Salt•Refuel•Wash•Complete ODVI report
End of Storm?
Storm Arrives
Bare Lane?
Drivers arrive atMn/DOT in Virginia
Drivers completeOperators Daily Vehicle
Inspection Report
Plowing
Load Plowswith Sand & Salt
Fill Brine
No
End of Shift?Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
Clean up completed?No Yes
Flow Process
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Concept Map
Plow Speed
Traffic density
Visibility
SnowMoisture Content
Snow Depth
Time of Day
Pavement Temperatur
e
Air Temperature
Snow Accumulation Rate
Sun
Humidity
Wind Speed & Direction
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Concept Map - Simplified
Pavement Temperature
Material Application
Plow Speed
Traffic density
Visibility
SnowMoisture Content
Snow Depth
Snow Accumulation Rate
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Input Data Collection & Modeling
Data Collection• “Expert Opinion”
– Plow Speeds
• RWIS– Accumulation Rates– Moisture Content– Pavement
Temperature
• Virginia - Mn/DOT Guidelines– Material Application
Rates
Probability Density Functions
• Plow Speed– Triangular Distribution– Beta Distribution
• Accumulation Rates, Moisture Content and Pavement Temps– Fit distribution using RWIS
data
• Material Application Rates– Fit distribution using
historical application data from Mn/DOT
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Model Layout
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Start Simulation
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Model Design & Data Flow
Route Characteristics
Storm Characteristics
MS Excel VBA ProModel
Road Conditions
Output Data
Model Parameters Simulation ModelActiveXCOM
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Output
Summary Report: Route 201
Rural Commuter; Lane Miles = 81.92 Number of Replications = 5
Name Units Minimum Value Maximum Value Avg Value
Storm Start Time Minutes 0 0 0
Storm End Time Minutes 0 300 300.000
Time To Bare Lane Minutes 0 453.22 453.220
Time To Bare Pavement Minutes 0 284.29 284.290
Material Applied lbs 0 98304 98304.000
Material Cost $ 0 324.4 324.400
Labor Cost $ 0 321.13 321.130
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Conclusions
• The model adequately captures the plowing operation
• Initial Validation suggests that the model might be inadequate in predicting times to bare lane
• Validation will be an ongoing effort as more “accurate” data on the model parameters are obtained and as the scope of the model expands
• Verify Processing Logics & “Rules of Practice”• Model has capability of conducting “what-if”
scenarios to assist with operations improvement and resource management
• Continue to improve user interface
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Acknowledgements
Center for Transportation StudiesNorthland Advanced Transportation
Systems Research LaboratoryMinnesota Department of
TransportationUniversity of Minnesota DuluthFederal Highway Administration