Conceptual and Simulated Semi-Automatic Urban Waste Management System using Global Systems for Mobile Communication and Customer Reliability Indices
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Date
2019
Authors
Ogunwolu, L.
Omiyale, A.D.
Ajibola, O.O.E.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management
Abstract
Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) poses great challenges to many cities around the world.
The challenges are fuelled by population explosions all over the world, especially in the major urban centres, against the
backdrop of limited resources to manage wastes efficiently. In this paper, a conceptual and simulated semi-automatic
approach to MSWM is considered using the prevalent Global Systems for Mobile Communication (GSM) technology to
engage both the waste generators and collectors. This system connects users into a central database where data about their
waste bin levels are harnessed. Users are prompted via GSM handsets daily for the level of the waste bin. Waste Collection
Vehicles are routed based on the responses while an updatable Reporting Reliability Index (RRI) is computed for each
user based on estimate of actual level of waste collected as against the reported level to factor future reporting. With
history of collection volume at a location known, forecast is made as to the generated waste level when a customer’s
response to prompt is not available. The system is tested on a simulated 30-node housing estate and two dump sites with
vehicles routed to optimize distance covered and volume of waste collected. Customers report when prompted with 0, 1,
2, 3, 4 for waste levels ranging from empty to full bin fills. Vehicles are routed to collect wastes at locations with a
minimum threshold level of 2. Results obtained showed statistically insignificant differences in distribution of means of
collection distance covered weekly but 13.31 volume units/km collected with this method compared with 3.08 volume
units/km run of fixed routing scheme, at alpha = 0.05. The cost saving potential and environmental benefits of timely waste
disposal of this scheme is thus demonstrable.
Description
Keywords
Municipal Solid Waste, Waste Management, SMS Gateway, GSM, Reporting Reliability Index
Citation
Ogunwolu, L., Omiyale, A. D., & Ajibola, O. O. E. (2019). Conceptual and Simulated Semi-Automatic Urban Waste Management System using Global Systems for Mobile Communication and Customer Reliability Indices. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 23(7), 1371-1376.