GIS Integrated Waste Production Modeling

Abstract

In the present paper, an innovative model for the management of urban solid waste is proposed. The model consists of a spatio-temporal geodatabase, integrated in a geographical information system (GIS) environment. This model takes into consideration all the parameters of waste production, such as population density, commercial traffic, road network and the relative information (e.g. road width, etc). Temporal ground-based analysis has been applied for the estimation of the interrelations between the above factors, and the variations in waste production between residential and commercial areas. Therefore, the model takes into account a unified categorization of all the commercial and industrial activities in the area under study. The main goal of this innovative algorithmic approach is to develop an accurate estimation of the solid waste production rate that allows the identification of the optimal number and location of the waste bins. In this way, municipalities aware of social, economical and environmental factors related to waste management can achieve optimal planning for their services