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An application of discrete-event theory to truck dispatching

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Abstract

This article focuses on the dispatching problem of an oilsand excavation process subject to production objectives and specifications. Herein, we cast the truck dispatching task in a decision-making framework for determining solutions and helping a dispatcher to make decisions. In this paper, we apply the discrete-event formalism to investigate the dispatching of a large truck fleet. For this purpose, we examine the capabilities and limitations of two distinct theories: discrete-event system (DES) and vector discrete-event system (VDES). Despite their differences, both theories can be used to model the logical structure of the dispatching process. These theories also provide techniques for implementing specifications and representing solutions in a compact manner. The results of this paper demonstrate that current procedures and tools available for DES allow a broader range of techniques to be applied, thus increasing the likelihood of finding a suitable solution.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Praxair Technology Center, Advanced Control and Simulation, Cryogenic Systems R&D, 175 East Park Drive, P.O. Box 44, Tonawanda, 14151-0044, NY, USA

    Stephane Blouin

  2. Chemical Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

    Martin Guay

  3. Electrical and Computer Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

    Karen Rudie

Authors
  1. Stephane Blouin
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  2. Martin Guay
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  3. Karen Rudie
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephane Blouin.

Additional information

This work was supported, in part, by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Foundation for Innovation and PRECARN and associates. In addition, the first author was supported by NSERC, Fonds pour la formation de Chercheurs et l’Aide a la Recherche (FCAR), and Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS).

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Blouin, S., Guay, M. & Rudie, K. An application of discrete-event theory to truck dispatching. cent.eur.j.oper.res. 15, 369–391 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10100-007-0037-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10100-007-0037-8

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