Optimization of transportation of agricultural products using simulation technologies

The use of effective innovative technologies for distribution and management of production resources reduces costs and optimizes management processes in agro-industrial enterprises. To develop an approach to optimizing the transportation of agricultural products, the authors analyzed theoretical and methodological basics of this process in Russia. It was found that the quality and costs of transportation depend on the conditions of transport, seasonality, methods of transport and storage of fruit and vegetables, as well as operational costs for transportation. To provide for the online monitoring of these indicators in real time and recording of transportation conditions in the design of a vehicle (automobile), the authors propose new design elements: a) thermal and humidity sensors and cameras to record the cargo position and b) a telematics unit that receives and processes data from fuel level sensors, vehicle load, speed, etc. and sends information to an operator’s computer. The developed methodology was tested on 306 trucks of the transport company “Technology of Movement,” including 118 KAMAZ trucks, 64 SCANIA trucks, and 121 MERSEDES-BENZ ACTOROS trucks. The authors analyzed failures in all vehicles under consideration. Information about the vehicle fleet and data obtained from additional equipment installed on vehicles provided information necessary to describe the process and make an algorithm for optimizing indicators affecting the cost and quality of agricultural product transportation. A simulation model based on the JIT-system equipped with the Sapphire programming and computing suite will help improve the quality of transportation of agricultural products and reduce costs. The developed simulation model is applicable for the study and prediction of the development of the freight transportation system in the agricultural sector.

1. Piskachev I.A. Transportation of potatoes using trailed and detachable transport equipment in agriculture. Problems of research of systems and means of road transport: Proceedings of the International full-time scientific and technical conference, Tula, December 22-23, 2016. Issue 1. Tula: Tula State University, 2017. Pp. 126-129. (In Russ.)

2. Facchini F., Silvestri B., Digiesi S., LuccheseA. Agri-food loss and waste management: Win-win strategies for edible discarded fruits and vegetables sustainable 2. Facchini F., Silvestri B., Digiesi S., LuccheseA. Agri-food loss and waste management: Win-win strategies for edible discarded fruits and vegetables sustainable reuse. Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies. 2023;83:103235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifset.2022.103235

3. Sevryugina N.S., ApatenkoA.S. Integration of the profiles of digital twins of technological machines in operation and maintenance. Scientific and Information Support of Innovative Development of Agroindustrial Sector: Proceedings of the XV International Scientific and Practical Conference, Pravdinskiy, Moscow region, June 8, 2023, Moscow: Russian Research Institute of Information and Technical and Economic Research on Engineering and Technical Support of Agroindustrial Sector, 2023. Pp. 84-91. (In Russ.)

4. Golubev I.G., Sevryugina N.S., ApatenkoA.S., FominA.Yu. Modernizing Machines to Extend Their Life. Russian Engineering Research. 2023;43(3):258-263. https://doi.org/10.3103/s1068798x23040111

5. Sevryugina N.S., ApatenkoA.S., Kozhukhova N.I. Methods for reducing the uncertainty of risks of failures of elements in technological machines. Digital Technologies in Construction Engineering. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering. 2022;173:77-84. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81289-8_11

6. Nekrasov S.I., Gornostaev V.I. Use of simulation modeling techniques in solving optimization problems of transport support. Digital Technologies in Agriculture of the Russian Federation and the World Community. Stavopol: AIP PUBLISHING, 2021;2661:040007.

7. Nekrasov S.I. Development of hardware and software suite for rational distribution and control of the target use of production resources in the agro-industrial sector. Materials-hadling and transporting, construction, road, track, reclamation machines and robotic systems: Proceedings of the 26th Moscow International Interuniversity Scientific and Technical Conference of students, undergraduates, graduate students and young scientists, Moscow, May 12-13, 2022, Moscow: Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, 2022. Pp. 373-376. (In Russ.)