Route to Clean Cities: Waste Collection Optimization with UGVs

Efficient waste collection is crucial to effective urban management, with far-reaching implications for environmental sustainability, public health, and overall quality of life in cities. As urban populations continue to grow, the demand for optimized waste management systems becomes increasingly critical. This study addresses the challenge of designing efficient waste collection routes using metaheuristic optimization techniques. Specifically, four different algorithms are employed to minimize route lengths, reduce operational costs, and improve the scalability of waste collection systems. These algorithms are rigorously evaluated in a variety of test configurations that simulate real-world scenarios. The results of the experiments reveal the strengths and limitations of each algorithm, providing valuable insights into their applicability for real-world waste management systems.