Grant: Alliance Grants
University of Waterloo
$299,667.00
Towards Green Autonomous Distribution Yards
FY 2024-25
Summary
In today's economy, e-commerce plays a crucial role, significantly impacting various sectors. Distribution centers are indispensable for e-commerce operations, serving as intermediaries in the movement of goods between suppliers, manufacturers, and customers. Central to these centers are Distribution Yards (DYs), which utilize specialized vehicles known as Yard Trucks (YTs) to relocate trailers. However, this process presents several challenges.
Firstly, operating YTs requires experienced drivers capable of navigating and positioning trailers within the DYs and backing them precisely into the loading docks. This high demand for specialized drivers leads to human errors, the primary cause of accidents within distribution yards. It also restricts the flexible and efficient allocation of human resources, consequently reducing productivity, efficiency, and operational reliability.
Secondly, current YTs predominantly rely on fossil fuels, significantly contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and the deterioration of air quality. This poses substantial risks to human health and the environment, particularly for workers operating within the demanding environment of DYs.
To address these challenges, our team is collaborating with Elactrans Technologies Ltd. to develop electric and automated YTs, a crucial step towards greener, autonomous distribution yards. The proposed research aims to reduce emissions and enhance operational safety and reliability by creating electric and automated YTs. We aim to develop reliable perception, path planning/tracking, decision-making, and real-time takeover and tele-operation for safe YT autonomous operation in all weather conditions.
The outcomes of this research program will generate significant employment opportunities and economic benefits, positioning Canada as a leader in this emerging field. Students and engineers involved in the project will gain invaluable experience in numerous emerging technologies that are highly sought after by our industry partner and other high-tech Canadian companies.
Program
Alliance Grants
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
588207-2023
Name nom
Khajepour, Amir A
Department département
Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics
Organization id
33
Institution établissement
University of Waterloo
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2024
Competition year année de concours
2023
Award amount
299667
Program id
ALLRP
Program name en
Alliance Grants
Program name fr
Subventions Alliance
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
700
Area of application group en
Transportation systems and services
Area of application group fr
Services et systèmes de transport
Area of application en
Transportation systems and services
Area of application fr
Services et systèmes de transport
Research subject code
1150
Research subject group en
Systems engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie des systèmes
Research subject en
Systems engineering
Research subject fr
Génie des systèmes
Field of research list names en
Not available
Field of research list names fr
Non disponible
Socioeconomic objective list names en
Not available
Socioeconomic objective list names fr
Non disponible
Application title
Towards Green Autonomous Distribution Yards
Keywords
autonomous articulated vehicles; autonomous yard trucks; cooperative perception systems; decision making; distribution yard; electrification; path planning and tracking; perception and localization; safety monitoring; tele-operation
Application summary
In today's economy, e-commerce plays a crucial role, significantly impacting various sectors. Distribution centers are indispensable for e-commerce operations, serving as intermediaries in the movement of goods between suppliers, manufacturers, and customers. Central to these centers are Distribution Yards (DYs), which utilize specialized vehicles known as Yard Trucks (YTs) to relocate trailers. However, this process presents several challenges.
Firstly, operating YTs requires experienced drivers capable of navigating and positioning trailers within the DYs and backing them precisely into the loading docks. This high demand for specialized drivers leads to human errors, the primary cause of accidents within distribution yards. It also restricts the flexible and efficient allocation of human resources, consequently reducing productivity, efficiency, and operational reliability.
Secondly, current YTs predominantly rely on fossil fuels, significantly contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and the deterioration of air quality. This poses substantial risks to human health and the environment, particularly for workers operating within the demanding environment of DYs.
To address these challenges, our team is collaborating with Elactrans Technologies Ltd. to develop electric and automated YTs, a crucial step towards greener, autonomous distribution yards. The proposed research aims to reduce emissions and enhance operational safety and reliability by creating electric and automated YTs. We aim to develop reliable perception, path planning/tracking, decision-making, and real-time takeover and tele-operation for safe YT autonomous operation in all weather conditions.
The outcomes of this research program will generate significant employment opportunities and economic benefits, positioning Canada as a leader in this emerging field. Students and engineers involved in the project will gain invaluable experience in numerous emerging technologies that are highly sought after by our industry partner and other high-tech Canadian companies.
