Modeling and Solving Arc Routing Problems in Street Sweeping and Snow Plowing

In arc routing problems, the goal is to determine an optimal path, or set of paths, that traverse a required subset of arcs on a graph with respect to a set of constraints and objective function. The Chinese Postman Problem (CPP) forms the basis for many arc routing problems. Let graph G =(V,A), where V is a set of vertices and A = {(i,j) | i,j in V} is a set of arcs that each connect exactly two vertices, each with its own cost of traversal cij. The objective of the CPP is to construct a least cost path that traverses each arc in A at least once. There are many practical applications for variants of the CPP, including winter street maintenance, and street sweeping that incorporate: [Rural Instances] Rural Postman Problems (RPP) stipulate that only a subset $A_R \subset A$ require traversal, allowing for non-servicing traversal on the rest of the graph. In the context of street sweeping, a street sweeper isn't responsible for sweeping all the streets. [Windy Graphs] In the CPP, the cost of traversal of an arc is the same, regardless of the direction of traversal. In the Windy Postman Problem (WPP), the cost of traversal is asymmetric. That is, it is possible for cij not equal cji. In the context of snow plowing, it is harder to plow uphill than downhill. [Multi-Vehicle] Instead of a single vehicle with a single tour, multiple tours are found for multiple vehicles. This is often accompanied with an objective function that seeks to minimize the cost of the largest cost route. This is motivated by practical applications, which seek to balance the cost of each route. In the case where route cost is measured in time, route balancing minimizes, for example, paid overtime. [Turn Penalties] UPS reported that it saved three million gallons of gasoline annually by avoiding unnecessary left-hand turns, which take longer to perform than going straight or turning right. Instances with turn penalties incorporate costs of turning, in addition to costs of traversal. The Windy Postman Problem (WPP) incorporates windy graphs and the Rural Postman Problem (RPP) incorporates rural instances. The RPP can be extended to include turn penalties (RPPTP). The Windy Rural Postman Problem (WRPP) incorporates instances that are both windy and rural. The WRPP can be extended to the MM k-WRPP which adds k plows. In this dissertation, we extend these variants to new problems with new problem attributes that are practically motivated. Our new attributes are listed below. [Multi-Period] The CPP solves for a single route, which can be interpreted to be traversed in a single day. It is possible that the set of required arcs is too long to service in a single day and therefore must be split among multiple days. In this case, we need to decide which day to assign service to each arc, before routing can take place. [Downhill Instances] In street snow plowing, it is faster to deadhead (traverse without servicing) a street rather than plowing it. In this case, there are different costs for deadheading and plowing a street. Moreover, it takes longer to plow uphill, resulting in four costs: plowing uphill, plowing downhill, deadheading uphill, and deadheading downhill. [Precedence] When considering downhill instances, the snow may be so deep that it is impossible for a snowplow to deadhead a street before the street is plowed. In this dissertation we present a variety of heuristics to solve these problems, all adaptations of the concept of cycle permutation based on Euclidean cycle decomposition. To our knowledge, the use of moving or permuting sub-cycles as a way to change and improve a Eulerian cycle is novel and we show that it is very robust at improving solutions

Broken Ground: Plowing and America's Cultural Landscape in the 1930s

This dissertation considers the significance of images related to plowing from the 1930s and their connection to humanity's relationship with the land. Environmental history, agricultural history, and the cultural geography of the plains are used in the analysis of these images to suggest the pervasiveness of the plow as a cultural symbol of man's relationship to the earth. My investigation begins with a chapter devoted to a chronological survey of European and American art depicting agricultural landscape imagery. My second chapter considers Grant Wood's 1931 painting "Fall Plowing," a depiction of a steel walking plow, to focus on the function, history, and impact of the implement itself. The next two chapters focus on artistic products of the Dust Bowl that expose problems inherent in American treatment of the land. The third chapter examines Pare Lorentz's 1936 documentary film "The Plow that Broke the Plains," which charts a history of soil exploitation. Alexandre Hogue's "Mother Earth Laid Bare" from 1938 and "Crucified Land" from 1939, the subjects of my fourth chapter, respond to the Dust Bowl through landscapes that have been ravished and sacrificed as a consequence of man's exploitative tendencies. My fifth chapter considers artists who identified and advocated practical solutions to the agricultural crisis. This tendency is best demonstrated by John Steuart Curry's work as artist-in-residence for the College of Agriculture at the University of Wisconsin. This investigation of human cultural engagement with the landscape concludes with an epilogue that contemplates the ways in which artists have explored the earth as a subject and medium amidst increasingly intensive systems of agriculture since the 1930s

Surface Survey and Ground Testing at Sam\u27s Site (36Ch283): A Multicomponent Site in Chester County, Pennsylvania With a Nearby Shenks Ferry Occupation

Surface collecting from 36Ch283, a multicomponent site in southcentral Chester County, Pennsylvania, suggests that activities at this location over a long period of time were confined to a very slight rise not larger than 15 by 25 m. Phase II testing of the area adjacent to this site revealed a possible Shenks Ferry habitation area located on the shallower grade above the knoll, at a short distance from the focus of surface collecting. The very different picture presented by the surface finds, however impoverished by intensive activities of amateur collectors, demonstrates the importance of surface collections in the interpretation of more extensive information recovered through excavations. The Shenk\u27s Ferry occupation at this site suggests an intrusion of these people in the early 16th century, perhaps resulting from a population displacement when the Susquehannocks shifted into the lower Susquehanna River Valley ca. 1500 AD

Pavement Surface Treatments for Ice-Prone Locations in the Illinois Highway System

This project aims to identify and evaluate effective and durable pavement surface treatments (PSTs) suitable for implementation at Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) ice-prone locations. A user-friendly questionnaire of northern states and international transportation agencies was developed to capture practitioner insights and collect more detailed information about the current practices of using PSTs for ice prevention. A comprehensive review of existing research and agency practices both nationally and internationally in using PSTs for icy/slippery pavement condition prevention was conducted. The review focused on built-in technologies such as the use of highly rough surface texture, slow-release freezing point depressant, or superhydrophobic additive in asphalt pavement, to identify candidate technologies for the project. PSTs have not been widely adopted by state or local agencies, even for select ice-prone locations. None of the PSTs identified and reviewed have demonstrated long-term success or significant enough potential for the Illinois Center for Transportation (ICT) Technical Review Panel to be comfortable with; as such, the project was wrapped up without further laboratory tests and life-cycle analyses. Some of these built-in PST technologies are promising but all of them, other than high friction surface treatment (HFST), are premature at this stage for any field deployment by Illinois. The major concerns stem from their high cost of implementation and potential lack of long-term durability as an effective anti-icing tool. IDOT should consider conducting traffic safety analyses of their high friction surface treatment (HFST) sites, including winter maintenance operations data and winter crash statistics.IDOT-R27-187Ope

Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair

Wetlands are a vital part of the landscape and ecology of the United States, providing food and shelter for species ranging from the beautiful wood duck to the tiny fairy shrimp. These areas provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife, protect communities from flooding, and recharge groundwater supplies—yet they continue to be destroyed at an alarming rate. A detailed analysis of wetlands management, Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair is a comprehensive guide to the past, present, and future of wetland recovery in the United States. The book includes a historical overview of wetland destruction and repair over the past two hundred years and also serves as a unique resource for anyone, from novice to engineer, interested in the process of wetland restoration. Author Thomas R. Biebighauser draws from his own vast experience in building and repairing more than 950 wetlands across North America. Included are numerous photographs and case studies that highlight successes of past projects. Detailed, step-by-step instructions guide the reader through the planning and implementation of each restoration action. Biebighauser also provides a number of effective strategies for initiating and improving funding for wetlands programs. Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair is essential reading for all who care about and for these important ecosystems. Thomas R. Biebighauser, a wildlife biologist for the USDA Forest Service in the Daniel Boone National Forest, has taught wetlands restoration workshops across North America. He is a three-time recipient of the National Taking Wing Award. Biebighauser\u27s work is a thorough and accurate account about the good, the bad, and the ugly of wetland destruction and restoration. He objectively walks us through the history of wetland drainage, revealing clever solutions to dealing with soggy soil. In the process, he sets the stage for later portions of the book, where we learn how to be equally clever about bringing water back onto the landscape. The photographs are also excellent, showing historic perspective and illustrating what to do to bring wetlands back, or even put them where they never were. —Bruce A. Kingsbury, Director, Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation and Management The book provides a range of interesting and useful advice on approaches to wetland creation and restoration, including adaptive management techniques and \u27learning from beavers.\u27 —Journal of Soil and Water Conservation This one-of-a-kind how-to manual on wetland restoration is written in non-technical, accessible language and will be a valuable resource for anyone interested in wetlands restoration. —Northeastern Naturalist “Thomas Biebighauser does an effective job of making the case that with the right planning and a fundamental knowledge base, ecological landscape enhancement projects involving wetlands do not need to be as nearly complex, expensive, and constrained by regulations as they often are.” --David J. Cameron, Journal of the New England Water Works Association This is not a scientific treatise but, many will argue, much more useful. It focuses on the practical, not the academic, and the excellent array of photographs and diagrams provides clear understanding and guidance on techniques used and proposed. Biebighauser’s text is a valuable addition to the literature in showing how restoration can be achieved in practice. It manages to capture the real challenges of wetland recovery and how to meet them, using machines, human determination, skilful observation of terrain and the practical need for fund-raising. Wetland scientists, conservation and natural resource managers and water engineers are just some who will find the book a very useful practical guide and reference. —Environmental Conservation A wealth of detailed background information, practical advice, and real-world examples of how problems have been overcome. —Ecological Restorationhttps://uknowledge.uky.edu/upk_environmental_sciences/1002/thumbnail.jp

Agricultural engineering

Believing that the study of Agricultural Engineering should fill an important place in the training of the young man who would make farming the object of his life\u27s work, the author has attempted to furnish in this volume an aid in supplying this part of his training. The application of agricultural engineering methods to agriculture should not only raise the efficiency of the farm worker but should also provide for hlm a more comfortable and healthful home. This volume has been written primarily as a text for secondary schools of agriculture, and for colleges where only a generaf course can be offered. Claim is not made for much new material concerning the subjects discussed; but rather an attempt has ·been made to place under one cover a general discussion of agricultural engineering subjects which hitherto could not be secured except in several volumes and hence impractical for text-book purposes.https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/abe_eng_books/1001/thumbnail.jp