Automating data collection in motor-manual time and motion studies implemented in a willow short rotation coppice

Abstract

Time and motion studies are often used to evaluate the performance of various product systems. However, traditional studies are characterized by a series of technical limitations, and they require many resources. This study tested the capability of a low-cost Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and an accelerometer unit to automate the field data collection for characterizing motor-manual felling of willow short rotation coppices. The results were promising. By thresholding the acceleration data, the running and stopped engine states were accurately separated. Also, by combining the GPS speed with the acceleration data, followed by threshold setting and data visualization in the Geographic Information System software, detailed time categories, such as productive, working, and non-working times, could be separated. The methods described herein could be used to manage long-term field data collection, as such operations are affected by many operational factors.