Improving inbound and outbound transportation efficiency through an integrated backhauling model at a recycle plant

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In this project, we work closely with BRQ Fibre & Broyure (BRQ) to apply the knowledge of operationsresearch combining the concept of transportation backhauling to adapt and engineer a new integrated inboundand outbound transportation backhaul model. The objective is to improve the transportation efficiency andreduce transportation cost through the integrated inbound and outbound transportation planning. BRQ is aQuebec-based recycling company. It provides recycling and recovering services that turn construction,renovation and demolition (CRD) wastes into clean and certified industrial grade products to regain valueswhile addressing one of the major environmental challenges faced in Canada. In recycle industry,transportation accounts for a significant part of the total operational cost. Reducing transportation cost andimproving transportation efficiency are crucial for the company. Currently, BRQ uses several carriercontractors transporting inbound CRD material from many industrial CRD sites, industrial eco-depos, andmunicipal eco-centers. They also transport outbound recycled products to various industrial manufacturers,farmers and customers in the bioenergy sectors. Transportation decisions are largely made by the transportmanager at BRQ with few backhaul trips and little cross inbound and outbound trip coordination. Althoughthere are significant cost saving opportunities from the inbound and outbound transportation coordination, withthe information support from the company's enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, there are severalchallenges. In this project, we will first study the current transportation operations and planning process. Then,we will engineer an integrated inbound and outbound transportation backhauling model, design the datastructure and input/output data connectivity to allow BRQ transport manager to evaluate differenttransportation route possibilities. This will help the transport manager to find more eligible and optimalbackhaul routes to significantly reduce the empty truck traveling, improve transportation efficiency, reducetransportation cost and greenhouse gas emissions.