Quantified Productivity Evaluation of Autonomous Excavation Systems using a Simulation Approach

Autonomous excavation systems are currently being developed to help address issues of poor productivity, by automating the excavation process and reducing manpower onsite. However, the impact of automation on the productivity of the excavation process remains to be determined. This paper uses a simulation approach to study this question. A typical excavation operation scenario is modeled and subsequently modified to account for the impact of automation. A comparative study between the typical and modified scenarios demonstrates the impact of automation on productivity. Three modes of automation are modeled in the excavation process: autonomous excavation, autonomous navigation of excavators, and autonomous lorry fleets. The models are validated using actual site data, and results suggest the impact of automation on the excavation process is severely limited.