Evaluating the efficiency of optimized waste collection routes using data envelopment analysis

Abstract

Efficient waste collection has an important role in sustainable urban transport systems, since it directly affects operational costs, fuel consumption, and environmental performance. This paper explores how VRP based route planning combined with data envelopment analysis can help evaluate and improve waste collection routes in the city of Kragujevac. Alternative route configurations were generated using the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) solver implemented in ArcGIS Network Analyst, with the aim of reducing travel distance while maintaining the required level of collection service. To assess their performance, an input-oriented DEA model assuming variable returns to scale was applied to evaluate the pure technical efficiency of the optimized routes. Operational factors, specifically route length and travel time, were selected as input variables to be minimized, while indicators related to waste collection services were used as outputs. By using this approach, it is possible to distinguish the efficient routes from the inefficient ones and identify specific ways to reduce resource consumption without compromising service quality. This paper provides a decision-support framework for fleet management in public utilities by combining VRP-based route planning with multidimensional efficiency evaluation.