Foodnet, a local meals-on-wheels program, has saved thousands of dollars by using more efficient routes and work methods, thanks to a group of former Cornell operations research and information engineering (ORIE) students.

Two years ago, ORIE students were asked to advise Foodnet on ways to streamline its delivery routes to save money, time and energy. Their work has paid off. The nonprofit organization has been able to stay within its fuel and maintenance budget in a business that is highly dependent on transportation, despite increased gasoline prices and demand for meals.

The organization budgeted $32,000 for gasoline in 2006 but spent only $24,500. Maintenance costs dropped by one-third from the previous year, largely as a result of the new routes.

The recommendations came from the master of engineering project of former students Sebastien Desfriches-Doria, Hector Espinoza and David Rimshnick, under the guidance of ORIE professor Robert Bland, during the 2005-06 academic year.

Using advanced route optimization software, the team showed Foodnet how to reduce its "delivery time window" (the time between the first and last delivery of the day). The students also shortened how long it took Foodnet to pack food for delivery by reorganizing the packing line and testing alternatives in a computer simulation.

Using a client information database, mapping and routing software and additional computational techniques of their own, the team also developed a computer system that Foodnet staff can use to plan routes and adapt them to changes in client population.

"The outcome of the study helped us align our new routes, geographically and time wise," said Joe Fort, food service operations manager at Foodnet. "We also rethought how we served and packed our food. All in all, our goal of more timely delivery has been successful."

With more clients in its network, some were not getting their midday meal until after 3 p.m. "Now most of our routes are finished by 1:30 p.m.," added Foodnet Assistant Director Carolyn Arnold.

The three former Cornell students now work as logistics consultants. Rimshnick said he found the Foodnet project "a unique and fulfilling way of transitioning my academic training to real-world solutions."

Mark Eisner is a retired senior lecturer and part-time communications associate with the School of Operations Research and Information Engineering.