An evidence-based management framework for business analytics

It is said that knowledge is power, yet often, decision makers ignore information that ought to be considered. The phenomenon known as Semmelweis reflex occurs when new knowledge is rejected because it contradicts established norms. The goal of evidence-based management (EBMgt) is to help overcome Semmelweis reflex by integrating evaluated external evidence with stakeholder preference, practitioner experiences, and context. This evaluated external evidence is the product of scientific research. In this paper, we demonstrate an EBMgt business analytics model that uses computer simulation to provide scientific evidence to help decision makers evaluate equipment replacement problems, specifically the parallel machine replacement problem. The business analytics application is demonstrated in the form of a fleet management problem for a state transportation agency. The resulting analysis uses real-world data allowing decision makers to unfreeze their current system, move to a new state, and re-freeze a new system

Assessing Potential Energy Savings in Household Travel: Methodological and Empirical Considerations of Vehicle Capability Constraints and Multi-day Activity Patterns.

The lack of multi-day data for household travel and vehicle capability requirements is an impediment to evaluations of energy savings strategies, since 1) travel requirements vary from day-to-day, and 2) energy-saving transportation options often have reduced capability. This work demonstrates a survey methodology and modeling system for evaluating the energy-savings potential of household travel, considering multi-day travel requirements and capability constraints imposed by the available transportation resources. A stochastic scheduling model is introduced – the multi-day Household Activity Schedule Estimator (mPHASE) – which generates synthetic daily schedules based on “fuzzy” descriptions of activity characteristics using a finite-element representation of activity flexibility, coordination among household members, and scheduling conflict resolution. Results of a thirty-household pilot study are presented in which responses to an interactive computer assisted personal interview were used as inputs to the mPHASE model in order to illustrate the feasibility of generating complex, realistic multi-day household schedules. Study vehicles were equipped with digital cameras and GPS data acquisition equipment to validate the model results. The synthetically generated schedules captured an average of 60 percent of household travel distance, and exhibited many of the characteristics of complex household travel, including day-to-day travel variation, and schedule coordination among household members. Future advances in the methodology may improve the model results, such as encouraging more detailed and accurate responses by providing a selection of generated schedules during the interview. Finally, the Constraints-based Transportation Resource Assignment Model (CTRAM) is introduced. Using an enumerative optimization approach, CTRAM determines the energy-minimizing vehicle-to-trip assignment decisions, considering trip schedules, occupancy, and vehicle capability. Designed to accept either actual or synthetic schedules, results of an application of the optimization model to the 2001 and 2009 National Household Travel Survey data show that U.S. households can reduce energy use by 10 percent, on average, by modifying the assignment of existing vehicles to trips. Households in 2009 show a higher tendency to assign vehicles optimally than in 2001, and multi-vehicle households with diverse fleets have greater savings potential, indicating that fleet modification strategies may be effective, particularly under higher energy price conditions.Ph.D.Natural Resources and EnvironmentUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/91567/1/kevinb_1.pd

Forecasting the release on the line of variously aged long haul vehicles in Russia

© 2018 The Author(s). At the process of purchasing vehicles, carriers usually choose up between brand new and used vehicles. Essential delays on loading-unloading goods dramatically affect the intensity of long-haul transportation in Russia and in East European countries, stimulating carriers to purchase used vehicles, which generally need replacement on much frequent basis. In case of purchasing long-distance haulage vehicles, it is essential to have evidential information regarding its possibility for sustainable long-term usage, including maintenance constraints and possible financial loses. As an indicator of maximum number of days in operation per year, the potential coefficient of the released vehicles on the line is proposed. The coefficient was performed also in relation with dependence of truck age. As a practical result, for VOLVO tracks in Russia, the optimal 5-year exploitation period for vehicles has been determined

Green Fleet Management Practices in Public Service Delivery by Urban Councils: Case of Makonde District in Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe

The discussion of green fleet management has gathered much momentum in public sector organizations over recent decades. Green fleet management is broadly defined as a broad concept that includes different approaches by which companies work with their supplier and or customers in order to improve the environmental performance of their operations. Although knowledge base exists in Zimbabwean public sector on green fleet management, there has been no comprehensive studies on green fleet management which has been conducted. The government of Zimbabwe as a controller of public sector organization needs to find new ways, with limited resources, to achieve maximum efficiency in fleet management by managing available resources and related risks. The value of the research is a holistic approach to the analysis of fleet management which has never been undertaken by the public sector. The research employed a descriptive research design which comprised administering of questionnaires to the respondents. The sample was selected using non-probability technique and 80 respondents were selected from the entire District of Makonde. Findings show that there is an association between methods of practicing green fleet management and company performance as measured by sales revenue per year. Therefore, it is benefitting business wise to practice green fleet management operational principles in public service urban councils. The aim being to make sure that the fleet maximises fuel efficiency, minimise vehicle costs whilst improving the safety, welfare of employees and reducing exposure to environmental damage.  Key words: green fleet, public sector, fleet management, urban councils DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-10-20 Publication date:May 31st 202

Parallel Machine Replacement: An Analysis in Construction Industry with Considerations of Horizon Uncertainty, Multi-Purpose Machines and Transportation

In this dissertation, the procurement and replacement of interdependent assets is considered in which the machines satisfy demand in parallel. A number of realistic scenarios are modelled that are current limitations of the Parallel Machine Replacement Problem (PMRP). Considerations prevalent in construction management provide new formulations of the problem. A stochastic planning horizon is considered which is in line with the direction of the research field. Likewise, multi-purpose challengers are presented to offer a solution to the current heterogeneous fleet limitations. Lastly, shipping considerations for multiple demand sites are studied. New mixed-integer programming models are presented for each problem formulation. Each model considers numerous aspects that are contributions to the current literature for the parallel machine replacement problem. The work integrates the PMRP into construction management. A new solution methodology is presented that offers a usable technique for solving larger systems when shipping is of concern, without the limitations of the current models. The contributions are: considering multiple demand sites with shipping, a heterogeneous fleet, stochastic demand and planning horizon, multi-purpose machines, the ability to work and purchase used assets, applications in construction management and a solution method that is realistic and computationally efficient

Cost/benefit trade-offs for reducing the energy consumption of commercial air transportation (RECAT)

A study has been performed to evaluate the opportunities for reducing the energy requirements of the U.S. domestic air passenger transport system through improved operational techniques, modified in-service aircraft, derivatives of current production models, or new aircraft using either current or advanced technology. Each of the fuel-conserving alternatives has been investigated individually to test its potential for fuel conservation relative to a hypothetical baseline case in which current, in-production aircraft types are assumed to operate, without modification and with current operational techniques, into the future out to the year 2000

Integrated orbital servicing study for low-cost payload programs. Volume 2: Technical and cost analysis

Orbital maintenance concepts were examined in an effort to determine a cost effective orbital maintenance system compatible with the space transportation system. An on-orbit servicer maintenance system is recommended as the most cost effective system. A pivoting arm on-orbit servicer was selected and a preliminary design was prepared. It is indicated that orbital maintenance does not have any significant impact on the space transportation system

An Investigation Into the Economic Useful Life of Commercial Aircraft as Impacted by Maintenance and Economic Variables

This research involved examining the economic useful life of commercial aircraft and the impact of maintenance and economic variables on the viability and longevity of the asset. The data sample consisted of the entire population of Boeing commercial aircraft produced between 1956 and 2021. The objective was to determine the effect of both maintenance and economic variables on the longevity and usefulness of commercial aircraft. As manufacturers work with issues such as service life, economic life, safety, and critical design features, those in the aviation community focus on the operational side of the equation––how long can one operate the asset, and at what point is it no longer effective to continue investing into the asset? The research presents an extensive review of the maintenance and technological advances in commercial aircraft over the last 60 years and an investigation of various aspects of the economic useful life concept in both use and application from an appraisal and industry perspective. The research focus is on the actual age at which an asset is removed from operational service and the underlying causes of such a decision