Optimization in waste collection by geographical information system (GIS)

This study has been addressed to optimize the selective collection of urban wastes in the city of Rome. A scheme of optimal paths for the vehicles employed to collect waste containers has been outlined in order to minimize the impact of traffic and emission of exhaust gases. An improvement in resources management, in terms of cost reduction and efficiency increase in material recovery, could be achieved by selecting a proper network system for waste collection. The study has been pointed out on the basis of data provided by the municipal agency now assigned in waste collection, affording the following steps: - selection of representative areas inside the city of Rome; - analysis of the actual net for waste collection in the considered areas and individuation of the alternative optimal net; - location of waste containers; - minimization of path design; - costs assessment. The possibility to apply a Geographical Information System (GIS) to plan and to design waste collection has been evaluated. Particularly, the GIS application is useful in path organization and management, especially in unreliable situations (viability variation, traffic): in fact, this system could allow surveying and real-time changes, in combination with Global Positioning System (GPS) located on the vehicles. GIS could be an efficient and reliable support in waste collection management, (i) by defining catchment areas and distribution of waste containers, (ii) by pointing out suitable collection sites, in consideration of urban constraints, and (iii) by laying out the proper location of treatment and disposal plants.