Curbside collection of yard waste: I. Estimating route time

Curbside collection of compostable material can be expensive because the inherent costs of curbside collection are high, but also because amounts collected per residence are small compared to the total waste stream, and time is wasted driving by residences at which no material is set out. In this paper, a model is presented capable of estimating route time based on the set-out rate and distribution, the amount of materials collected, and collection method characteristics. The model separately estimates travel time, collection time, and time spent waiting at stop signs and traffic lights. Model parameters are based on observation of compostables collection. Over six collection days for a collection route in Norman, Okla., the model estimated route time to within 4.8% of observed values.