An efficient framework to sustainable management of refuse collection and evacuation in a developing city

Abstract

The study developed a framework for sustainable management of refuse collection and evacuation in Bauchi city through spatial modeling. Coordinates of dump sites and sample households from the study area were obtained by Global Positioning System (GPS) while road network was obtained by digitizing satellite image of the area and both were used in this research. Thus, digital map of dump sites, sampled households and roads about the area were produced. Using the “Network Analyst Tool (NAT)” of ArcGIS 10.2 functionalities for service areas, closest facilities and best routes, a model was then developed to encourage efficient and sustainable refuse collection and evacuation in the area. The model developed has 22 dump sites, 15 closest facilities and 3 trucks routes. The service areas around each dump site are in three buffer zones covering distances of 200m, 350m and 500m respectively while the longest and shortest distances of 1499.46m and 156m in the closest facilities for the households were confirmed. Also, three trucks with truck3 having the longest distance was discovered while truck1 has the least distance for refuse evacuation in the area. These were discovered based on service areas, closest facility and best routes and hence the model will improve the general situation of refuse disposal in the area. Moreover, it will specifically ensure efficiency and sustainability in the management of refuse collection and evacuation of the area. Therefore, spatial modeling through NAT looks more appropriate as panacea for inefficient and unsustainable management of refuse collection and evacuation of a developing Bauchi metropolis. Thus, the model is recommended to be used as an efficient framework for sustainable management of refuse collection and evacuation in similar developing cities.

Keywords: Closest facilities, modeling, network analyst, route optimization, service areas