Mobile vehicle emission inspection service optimization: a flow intercepting location model and application

Abstract

Emission screening and control for motorized traffic is mandatory in most countries worldwide. However, there may be cases that periodic inspections in permanent establishments may be inefficient and fail to enforce emission regulations among moving vehicles. In such cases, authorities deploy mobile inspection units, which perform random vehicle emission screening. This is particularly necessary for incoming and through traffic of origins not within the jurisdiction of local authorities. This paper investigates the problem of efficiently designing such a mobile inspection service, under resource availability and space constraints. The problem is addressed as a flow interception location model, formulated as a non-linear–integer mathematical programming model and solved using a genetic algorithm. The model is demonstrated for the case of the city of Alexandroupoli and results are discussed. © 2020, © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.