Jarrod Goentzel

Routing fleets with multiple driving ranges: Is it possible to use greener fleet configurations?

Abstract This paper discusses the vehicle routing problem with multiple driving ranges (VRPMDR), an extension of the classical routing problem where the total distance each vehicle can travel is limited and is not necessarily the same for all vehicles – heterogeneous fleet with respect to maximum route lengths. The VRPMDR finds applications in routing electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, which can only cover limited distances depending on the running time of their batteries. Also, these vehicles require from long charging times, which in practice makes it difficult to consider en route recharging. The paper formally introduces the problem, describes an integer programming formulation and a multi-round heuristic algorithm that iteratively constructs a solution for the problem. Using a set of benchmarks adapted from the literature, the algorithm is then employed to analyze how distance-based costs are increased when considering ‘greener’ fleet configurations – i.e., when using electric vehicles with different degrees of autonomy.

Case study of a humanitarian logistics simulation exercise and insights for training design

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze a successful training exercise in detail, through both a practical and a theoretical lens, in order to identify critical aspects of its success and enable others to build upon it; and to capture insights and lessons learned in a framework that will facilitate the design of future trainings for a variety of goals and audiences. Design/methodology/approach – The authors document and analyze the case study of a successful humanitarian logistics training exercise: the World Food Programme’s Logistics Response Team (WFP’s LRT) training. The LRT is described in detail in order to capture the extensive knowledge and experience that went into developing the full-scale, immersive exercise. Findings – The authors evaluate the LRT training through a theoretical lens, considering how it teaches the diverse set of skills required and identifying reasons for its success. The authors contrast the LRT with a light version developed for classroom use, and capt...

Measuring humanitarian supply chain performance in a multi-goal context

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to deepen the understanding of supply chain performance objectives in the humanitarian context by striving to understand the underlying goals and conceptual variables behind the measurement of performance, such as efficiency. Design/methodology/approach – The research is an in-depth case study with one humanitarian organization. The data are gathered with mixed methods over a two-year period. Interviews were conducted in August 2010 and April 2012, and a survey conducted in October 2012. Findings – Misalignments are detected among different groups in humanitarian operations and between their goals and processes. These misalignments could possibly be corrected through long-term thinking in short-term operations by considering sustainability aspects throughout humanitarian assistance, for example. In addition, efficiency was a commonly identified objective in the case organization, although the definition varied widely and extended beyond the traditional definition of p...

Economic analysis of wind plant and battery storage operation using supply chain management techniques

Wind energy is the fastest growing energy source in the world. However, due to the inherent issues of intermittency and remoteness the need to complement wind energy with storage is well-recognized. Pumped Hydro Electric Storage units are the established and most widely studied application. Other technologies like flow (ZnBr) and NaS batteries are emerging but are still not considered economically viable. We assess the profitability of a wind plant plus battery storage system from a supply chain perspective. This includes network design decisions (like facility location, market allocation, supply allocation and capacity allocation) and daily operating policies (to manage the inventory of stored energy). We use a Monte-Carlo simulation model that creates realistic conditions for wind plant output, market prices, storage costs and technical characteristics to calculate profits. Our results show significant improvement in profits for certain decisions and also provide target costs and payback period for storage technologies.

Humanitarian Transportation Planning: Evaluation of Practice-Based Heuristics and Recommendations for Improvement

Abstract Transportation bottlenecks are a common and critical problem in humanitarian response. There is a need for better planning and prioritization of vehicles to transport humanitarian aid to affected communities. Optimization approaches have been developed for transportation planning, but adoption has been limited, due in part to the difficulty of implementation. This paper develops the basis for an easily implementable decision support tool by building on current planning practices in the humanitarian sector. We draw on an observational study to describe current planning practices, then develop heuristic algorithms that represent the observed planning processes, and compare their solutions to each other and to those of a mixed-integer linear program. We identify key weaknesses to guide the development of more sophisticated heuristics or optimization models that fit with current planning practices. We also find that a simple practice-driven heuristic performs well when it prioritizes deliveries based on destination priority or distance, and we argue that automating such a heuristic in a decision support tool would maintain the simplicity and transparency to enable implementation in practice, and improve planning by saving time and increasing accuracy and consistency.

Simulating tomorrow's supply chain today

Heavy industries operate equipment having a long life and rely on service parts to maintain operations. Often, stock levels for such parts are chosen to achieve fill rate goals, while supply chain performance is evaluated by speed of service. We resolve this disconnect by linking an existing discrete-event warehouse operations simulation with a new Monte Carlo demand categorization and metrics simulation. In the process, we demonstrate the potential of incorporating data on the current state of the supply chain to eliminate the simulation warm-up period and to predict future system performance against metrics targets. We show that the current stocking policy of the organization in our case study cannot achieve planned metrics and that periodic internal policies, such as budgetary approval, further degrade performance. However, a new inventory segmentation approach with continuous review can achieve targets in one year, lower inventory investment 20%, and enable automated buys for certain parts.

Modeling the values of private sector agents in multi-echelon humanitarian supply chains

Abstract Humanitarian organizations (HOs) increasingly look to engage private sector supply chains in achieving outcomes. The right engagement approach may require knowledge of agents’ preferences across multi-echelon supply chains to align private sector value creation with humanitarian outcomes. We propose a multi-attribute value analysis (MAVA) framework to elucidate such preferences. We formalize this approach and apply it in collaboration with a HO pilot aiming to facilitate better private sector availability of malaria rapid diagnostic tests in Uganda. We demonstrate how HOs could use criteria weights and value functions from MAVA for project evaluation; in the process, we reveal business model insights for importers, distributors, and retailers in the pilot. We also show how MAVA facilitates the impact assessment of hypothetical options (i.e., combinations of products, services, and subsidies) to guide HO resource deployment. This paper offers the first attempt, to our knowledge, to develop quantitative measures for economic and non-economic objectives involving all agents in a multi-echelon supply chain, either humanitarian or commercial. We hope that this initial step stimulates further research to validate results and develop the framework proposed.

Real world research in product evaluation and sustainabable development to reach scale

Low-income consumers aspire to a better life that humanitarian products offer. International aid agencies, non-governmental organizations, governments and social entrepreneurs promote and disseminate millions of products to alleviate poverty. But many of these products fail to deliver -either to perform consistently, or if they survive in the marketplace, they fail to reach scale. Preconditions to impact, sustained use and scale are rigorous product evaluations that are trusted, affordable and comprehensible. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) launched the Comprehensive Initiative on Technology Evaluation (MIT-CITE), a five-year USAID-funded project to develop a methodology, called the “3S’s” which has guided the 2014 CITE Household Water Filter (HWF) Evaluation in Ahmedabad, India. Three expert sub-groups investigated different dimensions of the HWF product ecosystem: • Suitability (S1) Team • S1-Lab: Technical Performance at Consumer Reports in Yonkers, New York. • S1-India: Technical Performance of water filters in Ahmedabad, India households • Scalability Team – evaluation of the commercial HWF product supply chain and capacity to scale up in India based on availability, affordability and aftermarket indicators. • Sustainability Team – integrating social, economic, behavioral and product usability criteria. Findings and Lessons Learned: CITE developed a decision support tool for users and institutional purchasers of HWF products targeted to low-income consumers. Using a methodology patterned after Consumer Reports, we have done a comparative, multi-objective evaluation of more than 100+ HWF products in Ahmedabad. Results cover three product categories: particle removal filters, gravity non-electric water filters and reverse osmosis systems. Findings are discussed.