Truck Cycle Time
Sum loaded/empty segment travel and service/queue times; speed profiles are inputs, not traction predictions.
Description
A haul cycle combines loaded travel, empty return travel and stationary operations.
A haul cycle combines loaded travel, empty return travel and stationary operations. Segment speeds allow the route to have different travel conditions.
The tool returns loadedTravelMinutes (loaded travel minutes); emptyTravelMinutes (empty travel minutes); totalCycleMinutes (total cycle minutes). Input measurements and model parameters are supplied by the caller; the tool computes the stated summary rather than acquiring those measurements.
When to use Truck Cycle Time
Use Truck Cycle Time when you already have segmentDistancesKm, loadedSpeedsKmPerHour, emptySpeedsKmPerHour, loadingMinutes, dumpMinutes, queueMinutes and want loadedTravelMinutes, emptyTravelMinutes, totalCycleMinutes. This is useful for checking a supplied calculation, documenting a measurement convention, or comparing observations prepared on the same basis.
How to use Truck Cycle Time and understand its results
- Enter segmentDistancesKm, loadedSpeedsKmPerHour, emptySpeedsKmPerHour, loadingMinutes, dumpMinutes, queueMinutes using the field table below. Match the units, ordering and data boundaries described in the calculation.
- Run the tool after checking the stated bounds and matching paired observations or categories. A malformed request gives a tool error rather than a usable measurement.
- Read loadedTravelMinutes, emptyTravelMinutes, totalCycleMinutes. Use the calculation and interpretation below to distinguish amounts, ratios, signs and decision flags where applicable.
- Review the supplied parameters and assumptions before using the result in a report or comparing it with another observation.
| Input field | Meaning | Value type and bounds | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| segmentDistancesKm | Segment distances km | list of number | Required |
| loadedSpeedsKmPerHour | Loaded speeds km per hour | list of number | Required |
| emptySpeedsKmPerHour | Empty speeds km per hour | list of number | Required |
| loadingMinutes | Loading minutes | number | Required |
| dumpMinutes | Dump minutes | number | Required |
| queueMinutes | Queue minutes | number | Required |
Use aligned nonempty distances and speed lists with nonnegative distances and positive speeds; stationary times are nonnegative.
cycleMinutes = 60Σdistance/loadedSpeed+60Σdistance/emptySpeed+loading+dump+queue The symbols refer to the supplied quantities or generated values described above; unit conversions and comparison boundaries follow the stated implementation.
{
"input": {
"segmentDistancesKm": [
1,
2
],
"loadedSpeedsKmPerHour": [
10,
20
],
"emptySpeedsKmPerHour": [
20,
40
],
"loadingMinutes": 3,
"dumpMinutes": 1,
"queueMinutes": 2
},
"output": {
"loadedTravelMinutes": 12,
"emptyTravelMinutes": 6,
"totalCycleMinutes": 24
}
}Limitations and assumptions
Acceleration, grades, variability and dispatch are not modelled unless incorporated into the supplied segment speeds and times.
Numerical inputs must be finite. The tool checks its declared input shape and calculation constraints; those checks do not verify the quality, calibration or representativeness of the supplied observations.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Truck Productivity: Estimate scheduled truck throughput with utilization conditional on availability; cycle times include operating delays and fleet dispatch interactions are external. Truck Queue Time: Estimate Erlang-C truck waiting with stable Erlang-B recursion; Poisson arrivals, exponential independent service, infinite queue; not dispatch simulation.
Methodological background: Design of Surface Mine Haulage Roads: A Manual.1
References
-
Design of Surface Mine Haulage Roads: A Manual — U.S. Bureau of Mines, Information Circular 8758
Similar or alternative tools
- Truck Productivity
Estimate scheduled truck throughput with utilization conditional on availability; cycle times include operating delays and fleet dispatch interactions are external.
- Truck Queue Time
Estimate Erlang-C truck waiting with stable Erlang-B recursion; Poisson arrivals, exponential independent service, infinite queue; not dispatch simulation.