Abstract
A field area coverage-planning algorithm has been developed for the optimization and
simulation of capacitated field operations such as the organic fertilizer application process. The
proposed model provides an optimal coverage plan, which includes the optimal sequence of the
visited tracks with a designated application rate. The objective of this paper is to present a novel
approach for route planning involving two simultaneous optimization criteria, non-working distance
minimization and the optimization of application rates, for the capacitated field operations such
as organic fertilizer application to improve the overall operational efficiency. The study and the
developed algorithm have shown that it is possible to generate the optimized coverage plan based
on the required defined capacity of the distributer. In this case, the capacity of the distributer is
not considered a limiting factor for the farmers. To validate this new method, a shallow injection
application process was considered, and the results of applying the optimization algorithm were
compared with the conventional methods. The results show that the proposed method increase
operational efficiency by 19.7%. Furthermore, the applicability of the proposed model in robotic
application were demonstrated by way of two defined scenarios.
simulation of capacitated field operations such as the organic fertilizer application process. The
proposed model provides an optimal coverage plan, which includes the optimal sequence of the
visited tracks with a designated application rate. The objective of this paper is to present a novel
approach for route planning involving two simultaneous optimization criteria, non-working distance
minimization and the optimization of application rates, for the capacitated field operations such
as organic fertilizer application to improve the overall operational efficiency. The study and the
developed algorithm have shown that it is possible to generate the optimized coverage plan based
on the required defined capacity of the distributer. In this case, the capacity of the distributer is
not considered a limiting factor for the farmers. To validate this new method, a shallow injection
application process was considered, and the results of applying the optimization algorithm were
compared with the conventional methods. The results show that the proposed method increase
operational efficiency by 19.7%. Furthermore, the applicability of the proposed model in robotic
application were demonstrated by way of two defined scenarios.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | AgriEngineering |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages (from-to) | 458-477 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| ISSN | 2624-7402 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2021 |
Keywords
- Route planning
- area coverage planning
- fertilization
- operational efficiency
- operational planning
- optimization
- precision agriculture
- robotic application
- simulation