ABSTRACT
A dispatching system implemented on a micro-computer has been developed in the framework of a university-industry research and development project. The dispatching system is semi-automated with an operator manually entering transactions through a digital tablet. The dispatching system is suitable for truck/shovel operations with limited haulage configurations and transactions per working shift.
Dispatching procedures have been developed to assist the operator by suggesting the best decision which considers the dynamic nature of the system and site-specific production objectives. New heuristic dispatching procedures have been implemented. These procedures consider the linear programming objectives and are dynamic, with adjustments for current shovel/truck loading situations and as the selected objectives are gradually being achieved. The paper will show how the dynamic heuristic procedure reduce non-productive time, increase overall productivity, and reduce deviations between selected and desired productivities. The limitations of dynamic heuristic procedures in comparison to on-line mathematical procedures will also be discussed.
