A queuing system for inert construction waste management on a reverse logistics network

Many cities worldwide have built various types of facilities to manage the large amounts of construction waste generated year by year. One issue of great importance to the operational efficiency of these waste management facilities is the logistics management associated with waste collection and transportation activities. This research develops a queuing system to improve the management of inert construction waste (ICW). This system combines the queuing theory, a reverse logistics network (RLN) and a simulation function. The RLN integrates the sources of waste generation, the collecting and recycling facilities and the landfills, and the simulation function simulates the different processing capacities of the queuing system and the weekday and weekend operations of the facilities in the RLN. Multiple scenarios are considered in evaluating the effect of the queuing delays on the RLN to optimize ICW logistics management across the RLN. A comprehensive case study based on the practice of ICW management in Hong Kong further substantiates the utility of the proposed queuing system.