scholarly journals Optimization of the Mashaer Shuttle-Bus Service in Hajj: Arafat-Muzdalifah Case Study

Information ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 496
Author(s):  
Omar Hussain ◽  
Emad Felemban ◽  
Faizan Ur Rehman
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Number ◽  
Improve Performance ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Holy Places ◽  
Essential Form ◽  
Service Delays ◽  
Customer Dissatisfaction ◽  
Bus Service

Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, is held annually in the month of Dhul Al-Hijjah, the twelfth month, in the Islamic calendar. Pilgrims travel to Makkah and its neighbouring areas—Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat. Annually, about 2.5 million pilgrims perform spatiotemporally restricted rituals in these holy places that they must execute to fulfil the pilgrimage. These restrictions make the task of transportation in Hajj a big challenge. The shuttle bus service is an essential form of transport during Hajj due to its easy availability at all stages and ability to transport large numbers. The current shuttle service suffers from operational problems; this can be deduced from the service delays and customer dissatisfaction with the service. This study provides a system to help in planning the operation of the service for one of the Hajj Establishments to improve performance by determining the optimal number of buses and cycles required for each office in the Establishment. We will also present a case study in which the proposed model was applied to the non-Arab Africa Establishment shuttle service. At the same time, we will include the mechanism for extracting the information required in the tested model from the considerably large GPS data of 20,000+ buses in Hajj 2018.

Adapting Procurement Models for Electric Buses in Latin America

2019 ◽  
Vol 2673 (10) ◽  
pp. 175-184
Author(s):  
Jone Orbea ◽  
Sebastian Castellanos ◽  
Cristina Albuquerque ◽  
Ryan Sclar ◽  
Berta Pinheiro
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Transit System ◽  
Charging Infrastructure ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Bus Service ◽  
Bus Services ◽  
Fleet Deployment

Bus services are a fundamental component of transportation networks in Latin America, but buses often account for a disproportionately large number of environmental externalities. Electric buses (e-buses) are emerging as an effective and pragmatic option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and local pollutants. However, e-buses are difficult to procure in Latin America because of existing procurement challenges in the region, especially as those challenges relate to forming contracts to deal with high upfront costs and unknown risks. To overcome these procurement issues, this paper presents a new contractual model, based on literature and case study research. This new model suggests the separation of bus service responsibilities into three separate actors: multiple bus procurement companies, one or multiple bus depots and charging infrastructure companies, and multiple bus operating companies. By separating bus service responsibilities, the proposed model would bring about three concrete improvements: lower costs to the transit system, better quality of service, and lower-emission fleet deployment.

Determination of the Optimal Number of Suppliers Considering the Risk: Emersun Company as a Case Study

2012 ◽  
Vol 433-440 ◽  
pp. 5873-5880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasim Mirahmadi ◽  
Esmaeel Saberi ◽  
Ebrahim Teimoury
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Optimal Number ◽  
Development Cost ◽  
Supply Risk ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Management Area ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Tree Approach

Determining the number of suppliers chosen for cooperation in a supply chain is one of the most important problems in the supply chain management area. Regarding the fact that simultaneously decreasing the risk and cost is one of the most important objectives of every organization, besides the cost, the risk has also been introduced in the recent researches, as one of the most important criteria. In this paper, the decision tree approach is used for determining the optimal number of suppliers considering the supply risk and it has been tried to develop an applied method through expanding the cost criteria. The proposed model in this paper, therefore, contains any kind of cost ingredients such as cost of suppliers development, cost of suppliers management, cost of missing discount in volume due to increase in number of suppliers in supply base, and loss cost due to supply postponement from suppliers. This approach is implemented in Emersun Company.

scholarly journals Modeling of Emergency Supply Scheduling Problem Based on Reliability and Its Solution Algorithm under Variable Road Network after Sudden-Onset Disasters

Complexity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tinggui Chen ◽  
Shiwen Wu ◽  
Jianjun Yang ◽  
Guodong Cong ◽  
Gongfa Li
Keyword(s):  
Road Network ◽  
Road Networks ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
The Road ◽  
Bee Colony ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Effectiveness And Efficiency ◽  
In Transit ◽  
Emergency Supply

It is common that many roads in disaster areas are damaged and obstructed after sudden-onset disasters. The phenomenon often comes with escalated traffic deterioration that raises the time and cost of emergency supply scheduling. Fortunately, repairing road network will shorten the time of in-transit distribution. In this paper, according to the characteristics of emergency supplies distribution, an emergency supply scheduling model based on multiple warehouses and stricken locations is constructed to deal with the failure of part of road networks in the early postdisaster phase. The detailed process is as follows. When part of the road networks fail, we firstly determine whether to repair the damaged road networks, and then a model of reliable emergency supply scheduling based on bi-level programming is proposed. Subsequently, an improved artificial bee colony algorithm is presented to solve the problem mentioned above. Finally, through a case study, the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed model and algorithm are verified.

scholarly journals Public Transit Loyalty Modeling Considering the Effect of Passengers’ Emotional Value: A Case Study in Xiamen, China

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shi-chao Sun
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Public Transit ◽  
Perceived Value ◽  
Index Score ◽  
The Public ◽  
Bus Service ◽  
Bus Services ◽  
Emotional Value

To better sustain passengers’ loyalty towards bus service, this paper addressed the modeling of the public transit loyalty by the use of structural equation model. As a novel hypothesis, the emotional value was considered to have effects on the perceived value of bus services in this study, which reflected the degree of passengers’ emotional dependence on the public transit. Specifically, in order to better assess the loyalty, seven unobserved variables were measured to construct the structural model, namely, “service guarantee,” “operational services and efficiency,” “emotional value,” “perceived value,” “expectation,” “satisfaction,” and “loyalty.” The goodness-of-fit of the model was estimated and evaluated by using the survey data harvested from Xiamen, China. Besides, the index score of variables was also computed to help determine targeted approaches to better improve the level of bus service. The results indicated that the time cost and the monetary cost actually had no effects on the perceived value of users in the case study. At the same time, however, it also proved that passengers’ emotional value towards the public transit indeed affected passengers’ perception of the service value. In addition, whether users’ perceived value was as expected determined how much passengers satisfied with the service. Regarding the index score of variables, it indicated a great dissatisfaction of passengers towards the current bus service. Unexpectedly, the score of loyalty even still retained a relatively high level, which reflected continue-to-use willingness of passengers. It implied that being subject to economic conditions and other factors, passengers were captive and had to continue relying on the public transit, in spite of their dissatisfaction. As for the improvement direction of bus services, targeted approaches should be determined to improve the quality of bus service, regarding the aspects of “condition of facilities in the bus,” “driving stability and comfort,” “vehicle speed,” and “safety.”

scholarly journals A New Approach to Inform Restoration and Management Decisions for Sustainable Apiculture

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6109
Author(s):  
Joanne Lee Picknoll ◽  
Pieter Poot ◽  
Michael Renton
Keyword(s):  
Floral Resources ◽  
Pollination Services ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Honey Production ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Colony Loss ◽  
Supply Potential ◽  
Australian Case ◽  
Stocking Rates

Habitat loss has reduced the available resources for apiarists and is a key driver of poor colony health, colony loss, and reduced honey yields. The biggest challenge for apiarists in the future will be meeting increasing demands for pollination services, honey, and other bee products with limited resources. Targeted landscape restoration focusing on high-value or high-yielding forage could ensure adequate floral resources are available to sustain the growing industry. Tools are currently needed to evaluate the likely productivity of potential sites for restoration and inform decisions about plant selections and arrangements and hive stocking rates, movements, and placements. We propose a new approach for designing sites for apiculture, centred on a model of honey production that predicts how changes to plant and hive decisions affect the resource supply, potential for bees to collect resources, consumption of resources by the colonies, and subsequently, amount of honey that may be produced. The proposed model is discussed with reference to existing models, and data input requirements are discussed with reference to an Australian case study area. We conclude that no existing model exactly meets the requirements of our proposed approach, but components of several existing models could be combined to achieve these needs.

Elastic Averaging in Flexure Mechanisms: A Muliti-Beam Parallelogram Flexure Case-Study

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shorya Awtar ◽  
Edip Sevincer
Keyword(s):  
Mechanism Design ◽  
Parametric Model ◽  
Nonlinear Load ◽  
Geometric Imperfections ◽  
Geometric Imperfection ◽  
Flexure Mechanism ◽  
Important Concern ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Geometric Arrangements

Over-constraint is an important concern in mechanism design because it can lead to a loss in desired mobility. In distributed-compliance flexure mechanisms, this problem is alleviated due to the phenomenon of elastic averaging, thus enabling performance-enhancing geometric arrangements that are otherwise unrealizable. The principle of elastic averaging is illustrated in this paper by means of a multi-beam parallelogram flexure mechanism. In a lumped-compliance configuration, this mechanism is prone to over-constraint in the presence of nominal manufacturing and assembly errors. However, with an increasing degree of distributed-compliance, the mechanism is shown to become more tolerant to such geometric imperfections. The nonlinear load-stiffening and elasto-kinematic effects in the constituent beams have an important role to play in the over-constraint and elastic averaging characteristics of this mechanism. Therefore, a parametric model that incorporates these nonlinearities is utilized in predicting the influence of a representative geometric imperfection on the primary motion stiffness of the mechanism. The proposed model utilizes a beam generalization so that varying degrees of distributed compliance are captured using a single geometric parameter.

Measuring Performance of a Three-Stage Network Structure Using Data Envelopment Analysis and Nash Bargaining Game: A Supply Chain Application

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (05) ◽  
pp. 1429-1467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Amirkhan ◽  
Hosein Didehkhani ◽  
Kaveh Khalili-Damghani ◽  
Ashkan Hafezalkotob
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Data Envelopment Analysis ◽  
Nash Bargaining ◽  
Data Envelopment ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Nash Bargaining Game ◽  
Dea Models ◽  
Overall Efficiency

The issue of efficiency analysis of network and multi-stage systems, as one of the most interesting fields in data envelopment analysis (DEA), has attracted much attention in recent years. A pure serial three-stage (PSTS) process is a specific kind of network in which all the outputs of the first stage are used as the only inputs in the second stage and in addition, all the outputs of the second stage are applied as the only inputs in the third stage. In this paper, a new three-stage DEA model is developed using the concept of three-player Nash bargaining game for PSTS processes. In this model, all of the stages cooperate together to improve the overall efficiency of main decision-making unit (DMU). In contrast to the centralized DEA models, the proposed model of this study provides a unique and fair decomposition of the overall efficiency among all three stages and eliminates probable confusion of centralized models for decomposing the overall efficiency score. Some theoretical aspects of proposed model, including convexity and compactness of feasible region, are discussed. Since the proposed bargaining model is a nonlinear mathematical programming, a heuristic linearization approach is also provided. A numerical example and a real-life case study in supply chain are provided to check the efficacy and applicability of the proposed model. The results of proposed model on both numerical example and real case study are compared with those of existing centralized DEA models in the literature. The comparison reveals the efficacy and suitability of proposed model while the pitfalls of centralized DEA model are also resolved. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis is also conducted on the breakdown point associated with each stage.

A bi-level mathematical model for logistic management considering the evolutionary game with environmental feedbacks

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peiman Ghasemi ◽  
Fariba Goodarzian ◽  
Angappa Gunasekaran ◽  
Ajith Abraham
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Lagrangian Relaxation ◽  
Evolutionary Games ◽  
Relaxation Method ◽  
Objective Functions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Medical Centers ◽  
Location Routing ◽  
Proposed Model

PurposeThis paper proposed a bi-level mathematical model for location, routing and allocation of medical centers to distribution depots during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. The developed model has two players including interdictor (COVID-19) and fortifier (government). Accordingly, the aim of the first player (COVID-19) is to maximize system costs and causing further damage to the system. The goal of the second player (government) is to minimize the costs of location, routing and allocation due to budget limitations.Design/methodology/approachThe approach of evolutionary games with environmental feedbacks was used to develop the proposed model. Moreover, the game continues until the desired demand is satisfied. The Lagrangian relaxation method was applied to solve the proposed model.FindingsEmpirical results illustrate that with increasing demand, the values of the objective functions of the interdictor and fortifier models have increased. Also, with the raising fixed cost of the established depot, the values of the objective functions of the interdictor and fortifier models have raised. In this regard, the number of established depots in the second scenario (COVID-19 wave) is more than the first scenario (normal COVID-19 conditions).Research limitations/implicationsThe results of the current research can be useful for hospitals, governments, Disaster Relief Organization, Red Crescent, the Ministry of Health, etc. One of the limitations of the research is the lack of access to accurate information about transportation costs. Moreover, in this study, only the information of drivers and experts about transportation costs has been considered. In order to implement the presented solution approach for the real case study, high RAM and CPU hardware facilities and software facilities are required, which are the limitations of the proposed paper.Originality/valueThe main contributions of the current research are considering evolutionary games with environmental feedbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and location, routing and allocation of the medical centers to the distribution depots during the COVID-19 outbreak. A real case study is illustrated, where the Lagrangian relaxation method is employed to solve the problem.

Between the Temple Mount/Haram el-Sharif and the Holy Sepulchre: Archaeological Involvement in Jerusalem's Holy Places

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-288
Author(s):  
Gideon Avni ◽  
Jon Seligman
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Public Concern ◽  
Academic World ◽  
Holy Places ◽  
Temple Mount ◽  
The Temple

Archaeological involvement in the holy places of Jerusalem has become a focus of professional and public concern during recent years. The two sacred areas of the Temple Mount and the Holy Sepulchre combine their role as historical and architectural monuments of supreme importance with their daily use as central religious sites. The connection between scholars, mainly archaeologists and architects, who studied these monuments, and the local religious authorities in charge of the holy sites has accompanied research on Jerusalem since the mid-nineteenth century. The main issues to be analyzed in this paper are related to the ways archaeologists and other scholars are involved with the major holy sites of Jerusalem: how the 'owners' of the Temple Mount and the Holy Sepulchre viewed these scholars and their research; to what degree they were prepared to cooperate with them; what their motives were for doing so and how archaeologists and other researchers operated and adhered to scholarly interests in such complex sites. The Jerusalem case study is used to investigate the larger scope of interrelations between the academic world and the religious 'owners' of holy sites in other locations.

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