Question

A mechanized stationary container system is proposed for waste collection from a commercial area. The container unloading time is 0.1 hours per container. There are two containers at each location and the drive time between the two locations is 0.2 hours. The maximum waste ‘pick-up time’ is 2.4 hours per trip. The ‘pick-up time’ starts at the instant the truck arrives at the first pick-up location and ends when the last container on the route is emptied. The maximum number of locations which can be covered in a trip by the collection vehicle are _______ (answer in integer).

Hint:

To solve for the maximum number of locations, calculate the total time for one round of the trip and divide by the maximum allowed time.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 6

The total time for a trip is the sum of the unloading time and the drive time: \[ \text{Total time} = 0.1 \times 2 + 0.2 \times (n-1) \text{ hours}, \] where \( n \) is the number of locations covered. The maximum time allowed is 2.4 hours, so: \[ 2.4 = 0.2n + 0.1. \] Solving for \( n \), we get: \[ n = 12. \] Thus, the maximum number of locations is \( 12 \).