Routing for fruit collection in an oil palm plantation : a case study | |
| Author | Somthai Wattanapronphrom |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. IE-87-12 |
| Subject(s) | Traveling-salesman problem Oil palm |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. IE-87-12 |
| Abstract | A truck routing problem of a palm plantation is a special case of the Capacitated Arc Routing Problem (CARP). The nature of the problem is a big road/edge network in the plantation; truck capacity limitation; the trucks have to collect ripe fruits in target edges; the target edges are determined by the uncertain ripeness on a particular day; and the starting point of the truck may or may not be close to the target edges. To solve this problem, an optimization two-stage approach is introduced where the target edges are grouped according to the limitation of capacity, each group is solved as a Rural Postman Problem (RPP). This study proposes: a grouping method with criteria of the sweep approach and a modification of t he RPP algorithm for the problem of a nonexistent starting point in the target edge. The optimization proposed is means that saving of fuel expenditure can be obtained. In practice , however there is a problem of uncertain target edges. This is oved by installing a micro-computer with a software package of this optimization algorithm. The package is designed to not only provide features the routing solution but also a test of different truck capacity, a test of other grouping methods and a test of other routing problem. Finally for further study, A more general problem than the RPP for solving the disconnected graph problem is recommended. |
| Year | 1987 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. IE-87-12 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Industrial Engineering (IE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Oudheusden, Dirk L. van ; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Tang, John C.S. ;Tabucanon, Mario T. ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | French Government; |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1987 |