A Simulation-Based Decision-Support System for Reducing Duration, Cost, and Environmental Impacts of Earthmoving Operations

Abstract

Earthmoving operations are equipment-intensive processes that rely heavily on the proper selection of the equipment fleet and proper scheduling of associated tasks. Early equipment planning decisions have direct implications on schedules, costs, and more importantly, the environmental performance of such operations. While traditional planning of earthmoving works is ad-hoc and based on planners’ experiences, ensuring favorable performance requires advanced analytical techniques that consider multiple variables and competing objectives. Accordingly, this study develops a discrete-event simulation-based decision-support system (DES-DSS) for selecting the optimal equipment fleet, while considering the trade-offs between time, cost, and environmental impacts. The model’s results from a case study reveal how different fleet mixes and sizes can considerably impact associated emissions, durations, and costs. The DES-DSS can aid planners in making informed decisions during early planning stages and be used as a control feedback mechanism to continuously enhance operations in real-time while reducing emissions.