title: Use of genetic algorithms to improve the solid waste collection service in an urban area.
abstract: Increasing generation of Urban Solid Waste (USW) has become a significant issue in developing countries due to unprecedented population growth and high rates of urbanisation. This issue has exceeded current plans and programs of local governments to manage and dispose of USW. In this study, a Genetic Algorithm for Rule-set Production (GARP) integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to find areas with socio-economic conditions that are representative of the generation of USW constituents in such areas. Socio-economic data of selected variables categorised by Basic Geostatistical Areas (BGAs) were taken from the 2000 National Population Census (NPC). USW and additional socio-economic data were collected during two survey campaigns in 1998 and 2004. Areas for sampling of USW were stratified into lower, middle and upper economic strata according to income. Data on USW constituents were analysed using descriptive statistics and Multivariate Analysis. ARC View 3.2 was used to convert the USW data and socio-economic variables to spatial data. Desk-top GARP software was run to generate a spatial model to identify areas with similar socio-economic conditions to those sampled. Results showed that socio-economic variables such as monthly income and education are positively correlated with waste constituents generated. The GARP used in this study revealed BGAs with similar socio-economic conditions to those sampled, where a similar composition of waste constituents generated is expected. Our results may be useful to decrease USW management costs by improving the collection services.
authors: Solid Waste and Environment Laboratory, Forestry and Agronomics Research Institute, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Posta Veterinaria km, 1.5 Morelia-Zinápecuaro, CP 58880 Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico. Electronic address: otonielb@umich.mx.
authors: Otoniel
authors: O
authors: Buenrostro-Delgado
authors: Faculty of Biology, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Av. Francisco J. Múgica S/N, Ed. R, Ciudad Universitaria, Col. Felícitas del Río, CP 58040 Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico. Electronic address: jmor59@yahoo.com.mx.
authors: Juan Manuel
authors: JM
authors: Ortega-Rodriguez
authors: Department of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK. Electronic address: k.clemitshaw@rhul.ac.uk.
authors: Kevin C
authors: KC
authors: Clemitshaw
authors: Solid Waste and Environment Laboratory, Forestry and Agronomics Research Institute, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Posta Veterinaria km, 1.5 Morelia-Zinápecuaro, CP 58880 Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico. Electronic address: razogca@yahoo.com.mx.
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: González-Razo
authors: Department of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK. Electronic address: iyassmany@hotmail.com.
authors: Iván Y
authors: IY
authors: Hernández-Paniagua
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D002947:Cities; D003906:Developing Countries; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D008800:Mexico; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D062611:Solid Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D062611:Solid Waste
keywords: Basic geostatistical area; GARP; Urban solid waste