title: Cost optimization of a real-time GIS-based management system for hazardous waste transportation.
abstract: In this paper, the design and cost analysis of a real-time, geographical information system (GIS) based management system for hazardous waste transportation are described. The implementation of such a system can effectively prevent illegal dumping and perform emergency responses during the transportation of hazardous wastes. A case study was conducted in Guangzhou, China to build a small-scale, real-time management system for waste transportation. Two alternatives were evaluated in terms of system capability and cost structure. Alternative I was the building of a complete real-time monitoring and management system in a governing agency; whereas alternative II was the combination of the existing management framework with a commercial Telematics service to achieve the desired level of monitoring and management. The technological framework under consideration included locating transportation vehicles using a global positioning system (GPS), exchanging vehicle location data via the Internet and Intranet, managing hazardous waste transportation using a government management system and responding to emergencies during transportation. Analysis of the cost structure showed that alternative II lowered the capital and operation cost by 38 and 56% in comparison with alternative I. It is demonstrated that efficient management can be achieved through integration of the existing technological components with additional cost benefits being achieved by streamlined software interfacing.
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental Science & Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, China. zhuyun@scut.edu.cn
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Che-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yilong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Che-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chunyi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003628:Database Management Systems / Q000191:economics; D004630:Emergencies; D040362:Geographic Information Systems / Q000191:economics; D006256:Hazardous Waste; D012984:Software; D014186:Transportation / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D006256:Hazardous Waste