An integrated approach to optimise sugarcane rail operations. (August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Masoud, Mahmoud; Kozan, Erhan; Kent, Geoff; Liu, Shi Qiang
• Is Part Of: Computers & industrial engineering. Volume 98(2016)
• Page Start: 211
• Page End: 220
• Publication Date: 2016-08
• Subjects: Sugarcane transport -- Train scheduling -- Job shop scheduling -- Constraint programming -- Metaheuristics; Engineering -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Industrial engineering -- Periodicals; 620.00285
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cie.2016.06.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-8352

Abstract

Highlights: An innovative mathematical model is presented to optimise a cane transport system. An integrated depth-first-search algorithm with constraint programming is presented. A hybrid metaheuristic technique is developed for finding more accurate solutions with less CPU time. Abstract: In Australia, the railway system plays a vital role in transporting the sugarcane crop from farms to mills. The sugarcane transport system is complex as it routines a daily schedule, which consists of a set of train runs to satisfy the requirements of the mills and harvesters. A constrain programming approach is used to formulate this complicated system. Metaheuristic techniques and constraint programming are hybridised as an efficient solution approach. Thus, a better sugarcane transport scheduling system is achieved to maximise the throughput of sugarcane transport. A numerical investigation is presented and demonstrates that high-quality solutions are obtainable for industry-scale applications in a reasonable time.