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Planning towing processes at airports more efficiently

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  • Du, Jia Yan
  • Brunner, Jens O.
  • Kolisch, Rainer

Abstract

This paper addresses the towing process of airplanes as part of the turnaround process. We introduce a VRP based MIP model which assigns different types of towing tractors to jobs with specified service time windows. The objective function minimizes operating costs subject to operational restrictions such as technical compatibility of tractor types with plane types. Our modeling approach allows for multiple depots as well as multiple trips. To solve the model we develop a column generation heuristic. Computational results show the superior behavior of the proposed heuristic compared to the original MIP formulation solved with CPLEX. In a case study we derive insights which support schedulers in their daily work. For this, we identify cost drivers and evaluate the efficiency of manual schedules in retrospect.

Suggested Citation

  • Du, Jia Yan & Brunner, Jens O. & Kolisch, Rainer, 2014. "Planning towing processes at airports more efficiently," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 293-304.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transe:v:70:y:2014:i:c:p:293-304
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tre.2014.07.008
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    Cited by:

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    2. Chen, Shuiwang & Wu, Lingxiao & Ng, Kam K.H. & Liu, Wei & Wang, Kun, 2024. "How airports enhance the environmental sustainability of operations: A critical review from the perspective of Operations Research," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    3. Michael Schultz & Michael Schmidt, 2018. "Advancements in Passenger Processes at Airports from Aircraft Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-15, October.
    4. Kim, Junyoung & Goo, Byungju & Roh, Youngjoo & Lee, Chungmok & Lee, Kyungsik, 2023. "A branch-and-price approach for airport gate assignment problem with chance constraints," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 1-26.
    5. Bao, Dan-Wen & Zhou, Jia-Yi & Zhang, Zi-Qian & Chen, Zhuo & Kang, Di, 2023. "Mixed fleet scheduling method for airport ground service vehicles under the trend of electrification," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    6. Haluk Yapicioglu, 2018. "Multiperiod Multi Traveling Salesmen Problem Considering Time Window Constraints with an Application to a Real World Case," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 773-801, December.
    7. Pacagnella, Antônio Carlos & Hollaender, Paulo Sodre & Mazzanati, Giovanni Vitale & Bortoletto, Wagner Wilson, 2021. "Efficiency drivers of international airports: A worldwide benchmarking study," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    8. Du, Jia Yan & Brunner, Jens O. & Kolisch, Rainer, 2016. "Obtaining the optimal fleet mix: A case study about towing tractors at airports," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 102-114.
    9. Alonso Tabares, Diego & Mora-Camino, Felix & Drouin, Antoine, 2021. "A multi-time scale management structure for airport ground handling automation," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    10. Han, Xue & Zhao, Peixin & Kong, Dexin, 2023. "Two-stage optimization of airport ferry service delay considering flight uncertainty," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 307(3), pages 1103-1116.
    11. Zhao, Peixin & Han, Xue & Wan, Di, 2021. "Evaluation of the airport ferry vehicle scheduling based on network maximum flow model," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    12. Xue Han & Peixin Zhao & Qingchun Meng & Shengnan Yin & Di Wan, 2020. "Optimal scheduling of airport ferry vehicles based on capacity network," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 295(1), pages 163-182, December.
    13. Silvia Padrón & Daniel Guimarans, 2019. "An Improved Method for Scheduling Aircraft Ground Handling Operations From a Global Perspective," Asia-Pacific Journal of Operational Research (APJOR), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 36(04), pages 1-25, August.
    14. Schultz, Michael & Evler, Jan & Asadi, Ehsan & Preis, Henning & Fricke, Hartmut & Wu, Cheng-Lung, 2020. "Future aircraft turnaround operations considering post-pandemic requirements," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).

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