More Effective Winter Maintenance Method for Cycleways

2003 ◽  
Vol 1824 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bergström
Keyword(s):  
Field Studies ◽  
Service Level ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Service Levels ◽  
Winter Maintenance ◽  
Road Condition ◽  
Maintenance Service ◽  
Cycling Frequency ◽  
Survey Interviews ◽  
Personal Travel

Increased cycling as a means of personal travel could generate environmental benefits if associated with a corresponding decrease in car-based transport. For promoting cycling during winter, the maintenance service level of cycleways is of importance. Earlier studies indicated that the Swedish public is unsatisfied with the service levels provided on cycleways during winter. In Sweden, cycleways normally are cleared of snow through plowing and are gritted for skid control. Field studies tested an unconventional winter maintenance method that uses a power broom for snow clearance and salt for deicing. The field studies were evaluated through road-condition observations, measurements of friction, a questionnaire survey, interviews, and bicycle measurements. The method of using a power broom for snow clearance and salt for deicing provided a higher service level than traditional winter maintenance methods, but it was two to three times more expensive. The method has greater potential in regions, such as southern Sweden, with low snow accumulations but with major ice-formation problems than in regions with a colder climate. Cyclists noticed the improved maintenance service level provided with the method used in the field study, but although cyclists stated that road condition is important to their decision to cycle, it could not be concluded that the enhanced service level generated a higher winter cycling frequency.

A Machine Learning-Based System for Predicting Service-Level Failures in Supply Chains

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabrielle Gauthier Melançon ◽  
Philippe Grangier ◽  
Eric Prescott-Gagnon ◽  
Emmanuel Sabourin ◽  
Louis-Martin Rousseau
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Service Level ◽  
Learning System ◽  
Safety Stock ◽  
Service Levels ◽  
Sources Of Uncertainty ◽  
Supply Chain Efficiency ◽  
Percentage Points ◽  
Different Sources

Despite advanced supply chain planning and execution systems, manufacturers and distributors tend to observe service levels below their targets, owing to different sources of uncertainty and risks. These risks, such as drastic changes in demand, machine failures, or systems not properly configured, can lead to planning or execution issues in the supply chain. It is too expensive to have planners continually track all situations at a granular level to ensure that no deviations or configuration problems occur. We present a machine learning system that predicts service-level failures a few weeks in advance and alerts the planners. The system includes a user interface that explains the alerts and helps to identify failure fixes. We conducted this research in cooperation with Michelin. Through experiments carried out over the course of four phases, we confirmed that machine learning can help predict service-level failures. In our last experiment, planners were able to use these predictions to make adjustments on tires for which failures were predicted, resulting in an improvement in the service level of 10 percentage points. Additionally, the system enabled planners to identify recurrent issues in their supply chain, such as safety-stock computation problems, impacting the overall supply chain efficiency. The proposed system showcases the importance of reducing the silos in supply chain management.

The strategic design of port services based on a total landed cost approach

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa G. González-Ramírez ◽  
J. Rene Villalobos ◽  
Cesar Meneses
Keyword(s):  
Service Time ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Service Level ◽  
Competitive Position ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Levels ◽  
Strategic Design ◽  
Confidentiality Agreement ◽  
Traffic Volumes ◽  
High Level

PurposeThis paper explores the effect of port's service time, particularly the mean and variability, on shippers' total landed costs to determine the competitive position of the port and derive recommendations for the strategic design of port services.Design/methodology/approachThe competitive position of a port is estimated considering the service level offered to the end-users of the port such as port service time, its variability and its effect on the total landed costs observed by the port users. The proposed methodology is meant to help ports to determine the required service time levels to maintain or gain a competitive advantage against other ports, in terms of attracting common hinterland's customers.FindingsResults show the advantages of considering service levels factors to determine the competitive position of a port, and what are the minimum characteristics required to capture more traffic volumes, that can help port managers to take strategic design decisions to better position the port in the current fierce market.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed methodology is illustrated by considering a case study, which is the Port of Guaymas in Mexico. Data was not directly collected by the port, but based on interviews with shippers and public information, a representative case is presented. Due to a confidentiality agreement with the Port, specific references for most of the data used to estimate the model's parameters are not provided. The analysis is intended to show the potential value of this mechanism and can be used for evaluating the competitive position, from a high-level perspective, of any port to determine potential hinterland by improving the service level of the port.Originality/valueThe existing literature on port choice and port competition has not previously considered the effect of port service levels under the perspective of total landed costs of the users, being this paper a contribution to fulfill this gap.

Time-based responsive logistics for a maintenance service network

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 589-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioannis Manikas ◽  
Balan Sundarakani ◽  
Vera Iakimenko
Keyword(s):  
Case Study Research ◽  
Spare Part ◽  
Service Level ◽  
Spare Parts ◽  
Retail Banking ◽  
Distribution Centers ◽  
Service Network ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Maintenance Service

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the main reasons for spare parts logistics failures and address logistics distribution design in order to achieve the desired level of after-sales maintenance service.Design/methodology/approachThis research is based on an empirical case study on a large corporation providing worldwide with retail banking hardware, software and services. The case study focuses on the automated teller machine (ATM) part of activities, with a focus on the spare parts distribution and after-sales service network in the Eastern Europe.FindingsThe proposed network solution of multiple distribution centers with short-cut distance saving approach will enable the case study company to redesign their spare part logistics architecture in order to achieve short response time. Research findings reveal possible spare parts delivery delays and thus the service-level agreement failures with clients in the case study company.Research limitations/implicationsThis research covers a particular supply chain environment and identified research gaps. It discusses a time-based responsive logistics problem and develops a conceptual framework that would help researchers to better understand logistics challenges of installed equipment maintenance and after-sales service.Originality/valueThis case study research shows the “big picture” of spare parts logistics challenges as vital part of installed equipment after-sales and maintenance service network, as well as emphasizes how the unique context of a market like Russian Federation can set-up a distribution network efficiently. Strategies applied to handle such service-level failures, reverse logistics aspects of repairable and non-repairable spare parts to such large ATM after-sales service network based on this longitudinal case offer value for similar scale companies.

Simulation modeling for manpower planning in electrical maintenance service facility

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjay Choudhari ◽  
Hasmukh Gajjar
Keyword(s):  
Simulation Model ◽  
Resource Utilization ◽  
Manpower Planning ◽  
Service Level ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Optimum Number ◽  
Entire System ◽  
Service Facility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Maintenance Service

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the simulation model for manpower planning in electrical maintenance service facility and evaluates different scenarios to improve resource utilization while meeting the desired service level. Design/methodology/approach The process systematically maps entire system of electrical fault rectification, identifies probability distributions of demand of electrical maintenance requests and its process times using historical data. The simulation software Arena was used to model the entire system and various possible improvements were evaluated to assess performance of maintenance service facility. Findings The simulation results obtained for the proposed changes in the system indicated the potential improvement in resource utilization while meeting the average waiting time expectations of customers. Practical implications The proposed simulation model can help maintenance people to decide the optimum number of resources to meet the agreed performance level that is expected by various stakeholders. Originality/value The paper considers the computer simulation in modeling complex real-life system for understanding the resource requirement of electrical fault maintenance facility to improve resource utilization while meeting the desired service level.

Critical success factors of an effective repairs and maintenance service for social housing in the UK

Facilities ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 226-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Tucker ◽  
Martin Turley ◽  
Sam Holgate
Keyword(s):  
Social Housing ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Critical Success Factors ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Service Levels ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Maintenance Service ◽  
The Uk

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the critical success factors of an effective repairs service by initially identifying what the important considerations are. Design/methodology/approach – Using quantitative research methods the study then examines how important each of the factors is considered from the perspective of those responsible for such services in the Northwest of England, the level of implementation throughout the region is also examined. Findings – Respondents felt that all 11 factors are perceived as “very” important but only nine are “always” implemented within their place of work. Sustainability and innovation are identified as the two factors that are least critical. It can also be said that although important and well implemented, the in-house skills factor does not appear to be considered as critical in comparison to the other factors. Originality/value – The UK housing sector is under an enormous amount of pressure to meet the needs of a growing population in extremely uncertain financial conditions. Social housing is a potential solution but providers are currently contending with reduced budgets and cuts to staffing levels together with an expectation that service levels will be maintained and value for money maximised. Repairs and maintenance of their stock is at the forefront of their challenge to meet these expectations and it is therefore vital that the service they provide is effective.

scholarly journals Association between water and sanitation service levels and soil-transmitted helminth infection risk factors: a cross-sectional study in rural Rwanda

2020 ◽  
Vol 114 (5) ◽  
pp. 332-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Mather ◽  
Paul Hutchings ◽  
Sophie Budge ◽  
Paul Jeffrey
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Service Level ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Infection Risk ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Water And Sanitation ◽  
Service Levels

Abstract Background Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are one of the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases in the world. Drug treatment is the preferred method for infection control yet reinfection occurs rapidly, so water and sanitation represent important complementary barriers to transmission. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to observe STH risk factors in rural Rwandan households in relation to the Sustainable Development Goal for water and sanitation service levels. Survey and observation data were collected from 270 households and 67 water sources in rural Rwanda and were processed in relation to broader risk factors identified from the literature for the role of water and sanitation in STH infection pathways. Results A significant association between higher water and sanitation service levels and lower STH infection risk profiles was found for both water and sanitation. However, variability existed within service level classifications. Conclusions Greater granularity within service level assessments is required to more precisely assess the efficacy of water and sanitation interventions in reducing STH infection risks.

scholarly journals A New Experimental Investigation for Improving Bridge Management Systems and Road Operation Sustainability

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Tullio Giuffrè ◽  
Marinella Fossetti ◽  
Alfio Francesco Siciliano
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Bridge Management ◽  
Service Levels ◽  
The Road ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Bridge Vibrations ◽  
Repair Techniques

Generally, during maintenance operations on bridges and motorway viaducts, the circulation of vehicles is limited or suspended. This causes significant economic losses due to the increase in the costs of transport: delays, increased fuel consumption, higher emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere, increased risk of accidents, etc. However, few studies have analyzed the influence of bridge vibrations on the final mechanical properties of the cement mortar placing during ordinary bridge service. As such, interest is increasing in repair techniques that could achieve high structural performance without reducing road service levels. This paper provides the results obtained through an innovative laboratory trials campaign that evaluated the influence of vibrations on the mechanical properties of high-performance mortar used for repairing bridge decks. The results of 24 cubic and prismatic specimens showed the relationship between the traffic-induced vibrations and the mechanical characteristics of the studied mortar. The findings can be considered as the first methodologic step that is necessary to address further field studies, drawing a detailed link between the repair techniques and transportation user costs. Based on the obtained results, a synthetic bridge management system framework was developed that merges the road function into the structural issue with the goals of increasing the resilience of road networks and optimizing the maintenance resources budget.

Computer-Based Modeling to Determine the Visibility and Minimum Retroreflectivity of Pavement Markings

2000 ◽  
Vol 1708 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Schnell ◽  
Helmut T. Zwahlen
Keyword(s):  
Search Algorithm ◽  
Service Level ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Blowing Snow ◽  
Service Levels ◽  
Pavement Markings ◽  
Federal Highway ◽  
Visibility Distance ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Pavement Marking

The Federal Highway Administration was mandated by the U.S. Congress to establish in-service levels of minimum pavement-marking retroreflectivity and commissioned research to determine the minimum in-service level from a driver’s point of view. Computer Aided Road Marking Visibility Evaluator (CARVE) was developed and refined to systematically investigate drivers’ visual needs in terms of nighttime pavement-marking visibility and to allow the formulation of minimum retroreflectivity recommendations. The components within CARVE and the methods, algorithms, and equations that are used to determine the visibility distance of a given pavement-marking treatment are presented and discussed. CARVE systematically manipulates the pavement-marking efficiency (ηPM) up and down using a bisecting-search algorithm until the desired minimum required preview distance for selected conditions is achieved. Future expansions of CARVE, or the development of models that supersede it, may require additional research to investigate the wet-weather visibility of pavement markings, the effects of combined treatments consisting of pavement markings and raised reflective markers, and the visibility in inclement weather such as fog and blowing snow.

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