Match Factor

MF = \frac{N _{t} t _{load}}{N _{l} t _{truck}}

Match factor compares truck wait to loader wait. MF = 1 is a balanced fleet. MF > 1 typically means trucks wait on the loader. Use the handbook symbols given on the exam.

$N_{t}$: Number of trucks
$N_{l}$: Number of loaders
$t_{load}$ (min): Load time
$t_{truck}$ (min): Truck cycle time

Step-by-step solved example

1 loader, t_load = 2 min, 4 trucks each t_truck = 10 min. MF?

Number of haulers vs loader so cut and fill stay in balance.

1. Plug in
MF = (4 × 2) / (1 × 10) = 0.80.
$MF = 0.80$
2. Read
MF < 1 → loader waits a bit; trucks are slightly few or cycles long.

Answer: MF = 0.80

10 practice questions

0/10 correct

1.MF = 1 means

2.MF > 1 typically means

3.Nt = 5, tl = 3, Nl = 1, tt = 15. MF =

4.Adding trucks increases

5.Longer haul increases t_truck and

6.Match factor is dimensionless because

7.Two loaders in the formula sit in

8.Optimum MF on real jobs is often

9.If t_load = 0 the formula gives

10.Fleet matching is a