Orlando Fontes Lima

Remarks on Collaborative Maritime Transportation’s Problem Using System Dynamics and Agent Based Modeling and Simulation Approaches

This paper deals with the collaborative maritime transportation problem which can be modeled with two different approaches: System Dynamics (SD) and Agent Based Modeling and Simulation (ABMS). In the literature concerning this topic they are indicated to model systems containing large numbers of active objects (industries, people, vehicles, warehouses, products) and their applications vary according to the required level of abstraction, which can consider more or less involved details. In order to contribute with the decision-making, one important logistic problem is adopted as example; and in the sequence, a comparative analysis between these two possible techniques to examine such problem is presented. Finally, this study describes how to model this problem using these techniques which improve the analysis of the global behavior of the supply chain. For further implementation, some recommendations are given.

THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF REFRIGERATED VEHICLES IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF PERISHABLE FOOD

The temperature of refrigerated products along the distribution process must be kept within close limits to ensure optimum food safety levels and high product quality. The variation of product temperature along the vehicle routing sequence is represented by non-linear functions. The temperature variability is also correlated with the time required for the refrigerated unit to recover after cargo unloading, due to the cargo discharging process. The vehicle routing optimization methods employed in traditional cargo distribution problems are generally based on the Travelling Salesman Problem with the objective of minimizing travelled distance or time. The thermal quality of routing alternatives is evaluated in this analysis with Process Capability Indices (PCI). Since temperature does not vary linearly with time, a Simulated Annealing algorithm was developed to get the optimal solution in which the minimum vehicle traveling distance is searched, but respecting the quality level expressed by a required minimum PCI value.

An approach for the sustainable integration of production and transportation scheduling

Complex relationships and dynamic environments challenge the management of global supply chains. This paper first reviews conceptual frameworks for managing relationships along supply chains and concepts for the coordination of planning and scheduling processes. On the sequence, the integrated production and transportation scheduling problem for an original equipment manufacturer is formulated as a mixed integer program. The program combines an open flow shop problem and vehicle routing problem. The subsequent computational analysis shows that the formulated program supports the sustainable alignment between production and transportation systems and that heuristics are needed for suitably dealing with this kind of complex problem.

Mitigating Supply Chain Tardiness Risks in OEM Milk-Run Operations

The objective of this study is to investigate an optimal vehicle routing scheme to perform an OEM milk-run pickup service over a regional road network. The manufacturing of components is subject to varying tardiness among suppliers when fulfilling OEM orders. This often leads to non-accomplished orders at the end of the vehicle cycle time since the transport operation, predominantly composed by random variables, must comply with a strict delivery time limit set up by the OEM company. The mathematical model searches for the optimal vehicle routing sequence, together with searching for the best tardiness tolerance level that minimizes the sum of penalty costs levied against faulty suppliers, and transport expenses.

Internet of Things and the Risk Management Approach in the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

Technology is advancing rapidly, accelerating and creating strategic innovations and new challenges in traditional business models. The Internet of Things (IoT) brings an opportunity to increase productivity and efficiency on the supply chain processes of the pharmaceutical industry. In this context, a new business vision, based on innovation and supported by new technologies, requires a risk and resources management approaches, encompassing the strategic-tactical-operational planning processes within the companies. This work aims to highlight the potential use of IoT features, considering a risk management approach to the pharmaceutical supply chain (PSC), based on an exploratory research methodology.

Forecasting Manufacturing Tardiness in OEM Milk-Run Operations Within the Industry 4.0 Framework

In a milk-run OEM pickup operation over an urban road network the manufacturing of components by suppliers is subject to varying tardiness on order release dates. Tardiness control by the logistic operators, when delivering parts and components to the OEM production line, which is assumed to work according with the Industry 4.0 procedures, must also follow the new paradigm. In this context, IoT will be extensively used in smart sensors in association with a Big Data repository of productive information for production and logistic planning. The required integration of manufacturing tardiness inference and logistic operations in the Industry 4.0 context is analysed in the paper.

Dynamic Temperature Control in the Distribution of Perishable Food

The temperature of chilled and frozen products along the distribution phase must be maintained within close limits to ensure optimum food safety levels. The temperature variation along the vehicle routing sequence is represented by nonlinear functions which depend on the process stage (line haul, unloading at customer’s premises, local displacements, etc.). The usual vehicle routing optimization strategy is generally based on a traveling salesman problem (TSP) sequence, with the objective of minimizing travel distance or time. It is shown in the paper that in order to maintain the temperature variability within adequate restriction limits, other routing strategies, apart from the TSP criterion, should be considered.

Process capability index Cpk for monitoring the thermal performance in the distribution of refrigerated products

The temperature of refrigerated products along the cold chain must be kept within pre-defined limits to ensure adequate safety levels and high product quality. Because temperature largely influences microbial activities, the continuous monitoring of the time-temperature history over the distribution process usually allows for the adequate control of the product quality along both short- and medium-distance distribution routes. Time-Temperature Indicators (TTI) are composed of temperature measurements taken at various time intervals and are used to feed analytic models that monitor the impacts of temperature on product quality. Process Capability Indices (PCI), however, are calculated using TTI series to evaluate whether the thermal characteristics of the process are within the specified range. In this application, a refrigerated food delivery route is investigated using a simulated annealing algorithm that considers alternative delivery schemes. The objective of this investigation is to minimize the distance traveled while maintaining the vehicle temperature within the prescribed capability level.

Infraestruturas nas Copas do Mundo da Alemanha, África do Sul e Brasil

Brazil will host the FIFA World Cup in 2014, which is a worldwide event that occurs every four years and is responsible for moving a large number of people. The preparation to host the World Cup requires high investments in infrastructure that often remains underutilized after the event. The objective of this research is to evaluate whether the infrastructure (stadiums and transport systems) built for the Germany, South Africa and Brazil World Cups are positive legacies for the host countries. The methodology was case study, which was developed from secondary data. The study showed that (1) in Brazil, investments in transportation systems do not meet the host cities’ real needs, and (2) unlike what happened in Germany, in South Africa stadiums are underutilized, and there are difficulties to maintain them. The perspectives to Brazil are not good and there are great chances that the country will face problems that are similar to those of South Africa.

Application of self-regulated learning strategies in undergraduate, graduate and specialization students in civil engineering

The current demand for civil engineering work market requiring new skills and knowledge, points to the needs of new and effective learning methods. This paper shows the implementation of self-regulated learning strategies in undergraduate, graduate and specialization students in Civil Engineering of a Brazilian University. A Scale of Evaluation of Learning Strategies was administered aiming at identifying the students cognitive, metacognitive and dysfunctional learning strategies.