Manpower allocation with time windows

In this paper, we propose a manpower allocation model with time windows which is of practical interest. This model originates from a real-life port manpower allocation problem where demand is generated from locations in the yard for servicemen who are dispatched from a central point and where the objectives are to minimize the number of servicemen used, travel distances, travel times and waiting times. We develop a tabu-embedded simulated annealing algorithm and a squeaky wheel optimization with local search algorithm for the problem. Experimental results are reported which show the effectiveness of our approaches.     

警车配置及巡逻方案研究

以警车的配置与巡逻方案为研究对象,建立了一套警车巡逻模型,并提出巡逻效果显著度及隐藏性的评价标准,分别针对警车初始位置配置与巡逻方案的制定,提出警车配置优化选址的贪婪算法与基于多Agent的警车巡逻方案设计方法,给出了不同情景下的配置及巡逻方案:①在只考虑警车选址配置的情况下,配置19辆警车可以使全市路网警车覆盖率达到92.8%;②在顾及巡逻效果显著性与隐藏性的情况下,配置25辆警车使全市路网在整个巡逻过程中平均警车覆盖率达到90.9%;③在配置10辆警车的情况下,使得全市路网在整个巡逻过程中平均警车覆盖率达到61.5%.     

On the manpower allocation within matrix organization: A fuzzy linear programming approach

In this study, we provide a framework of fuzzy linear programming model for the function management division dealing with manpower allocation problem within matrix organization. The proposed model reveals how the function management division seeks a minimized cost and satisfies with the requirement of subordinate functional departments as far as possible under limited manpower and project budget. Numerical example illustrates that an adjustable parameter in the proposed model can be employed by the function management division to generate many different alternatives and grasp the degree of satisfaction of each subordinate functional department.     

110警车配置及巡逻方案

针对110警车调度问题,引入了图论中的最短路算法以及计算几何的相关理论,建立了车辆调配模型、巡逻路线模型以及基于模糊数学的评价指标模型.另外,用C++编写了一个可视化的软件,不仅实现了手动描点,自动求出覆盖线段集合的功能,同时利用计算机模拟警车的巡逻路线,最后通过计算机检验得到结果,其合理性和实用性都令人满意.针对问题一,通过人机结合,配置17辆警车就能实现D1的目标,很好地兼顾了警车巡逻的运行成本,减少公安部门车辆和人员等的投入.针对问题二,采用模糊数学相关理论使评价指标实现了从定性到定量的转变.针对问题三和六,在D1的基础上,兼顾了巡逻效果的显著性,采用最少被巡逻道路优先的贪心算法建立了动态巡逻模型,得到了合理的巡逻方案.在此方案中,我们动用了30辆警车完成了问题一的目标.另外还额外考虑了案发事件概率不均匀分布的情况,建立了改进模型.针对问题四,在完成问题三指标的基础上,为了尽可能提高巡逻车辆的隐蔽性和增强巡逻效果,采用轮盘赌算法来引入随机性.针对问题五,采用最远距离道路优先贪心策略,使模型尽可能满足条件D1,D2.针对问题七,提出了一些额外因素及其解决方案,进一步完善了模型,使模型更贴近现实.     

汽车滚装码头泊位调度优化模型与算法研究

本文研究滚装码头混合泊位分配和劳动力分配的联合调度优化问题。首先,考虑潮汐时间窗约束、装卸劳动力约束、泊位缆桩分布约束以及泊位不规则布局因素,建立以最小化船舶总服务时间为目标的混合整数规划模型。其次,采用内外嵌套算法设计策略,提出求解该类问题的组合算法。其中,外层是多种群并行进化的遗传算法,生成多种船舶计划顺序,内层为基于规则的启发式算法,用于计算给定计划顺序的目标函数值。然后,基于实际运营数据,生成多组不同规模的算例进行全面数值实验,结果表明所提出的算法可在10分钟内求解包含50艘船、100个泊段的算例。最后,开展基于真实滚装码头运营实例的案例分析,对所提模型和算法在实际码头调度问题中的适用性与高效性进行验证。     

Bi-criteria dynamic location-routing problem for patrol coverage

In this paper, we address the problem of dynamic patrol routing for state troopers for effective coverage of highways. Specifically, a number of state troopers start their routes at temporary stations (TS), patrol critical locations with high crash frequencies, and end their shifts at other (or the same) TS so the starting points for the next period are also optimized. We determine the number of state troopers, their assigned routes, and the locations of the TS where they start and end their routes. The TS are selected from a given set of potential locations. The problem, therefore, is a multi-period dynamic location-routing problem in the context of public service. Our objective is to maximize the critical location coverage benefit while minimizing the costs of TS selections, vehicle utilizations, and routing/travel. The multi-objective nature of the problem is handled using an ?-constraint approach. We formulate the problem as a mixed integer linear programming model and solve it using both off-the-shelf optimization software and a custom-built, efficient heuristic algorithm. The heuristic, utilizing the hierarchical structure of the problem, is built on the decomposition of location and routing problems. By allowing routing to start from multiple locations, our model improves the coverage by as much as 12% compared with the single-depot coverage model.     

Manpower allocation using genetic annealing

In this paper, we focus on a real size manpower allocation problem. It was modeled after a real world problem of distributing the salesmen force over the branches of a company. The problem includes multiple objectives and the number of salesmen at each branch is unspecified. Conventional integer programming approach and conventional metaheuristics seem to have problems with solving the large size version of this problem. The versatility of our proposed heuristics based on a modification of genetic annealing is exemplified through solving the real size manpower allocation problem. For comparison sake, several small sized versions were solved using our method, conventional integer programming approach, and some well known metaheuristics.     

航空机务维修的优化管理

在航空机务维修工作中,科学的管理、人力资源的合理配置对及时完成维修任务,保障训练作战计划至关重要.从装备完好率和完成任务的及时性出发,分别建立了数学优化配置模型,并给出了这两种情况下效益(成本)矩阵的构造方法,进而将优化模型转化为最优线性指派问题来处理,从而为航空机务维修工作中人力资源的优化配置提供了一种科学、合理的决策方法.     

A 2D chaotic path planning for mobile robots accomplishing boundary surveillance missions in adversarial conditions

The path-planning algorithm represents a crucial issue for every autonomous mobile robot. In normal circumstances a patrol robot will compute an optimal path to ensure its task accomplishment, but in adversarial conditions the problem is getting more complicated. Here, the robot’s trajectory needs to be altered into a misleading and unpredictable path to cope with potential opponents. Chaotic systems provide the needed framework for obtaining unpredictable motion in all of the three basic robot surveillance missions: area, points of interests and boundary monitoring. Proficient approaches have been provided for the first two surveillance tasks, but for boundary patrol missions no method has been reported yet. This paper addresses the mentioned research gap by proposing an efficient method, based on chaotic dynamic of the Hénon system, to ensure unpredictable boundary patrol on any shape of chosen closed contour.     

Optimization techniques for planning highway pavement improvements

In this paper, two different decision models for the planning of highway pavement improvements are presented. In the first model, we want to get a prescribed improvement in the state of the highway network with minimal agency cost. In the second model, a given amount of money is distributed between the highway sections in different states in such a way that the achieved improvements should be the best in some sense. The first model helps the administration in the estimation of the necessary cost for the annual highway improvements. The second model in addition gives an objective tool to the administration for the distribution of the total amount of money between the different regions of the country. We present the construction of the models in detail. Both of them use Markov transition probabilities according to the states of the highway sections and produce a special structure, large-scale, linear programming problem. Some numerical results are presented on the data from Hungarian highways.This work was supported by the National Research Fund, Grant No. 816 and the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunication.     

Conceptual modelling and the project process in real simulation projects: a survey of simulation modellers

A survey was used to obtain information on the processes and methods used by simulation experts in real projects. The 102 survey respondents answered questions about their most recent simulation project. This paper presents some of the survey results, focussing mainly on conceptual modelling and the pattern of time allocation to different topics. There are a wide range of findings that include the modellers making changes to the initial conceptual model during subsequent tasks in most of the projects usually by adding complexity, model coding taking on average about twice the time of other topics, and the topics generally occurring in single blocks of time (at the resolution of the survey data collection) but with considerable overlaps. The results give an insight into the way experts approach simulation projects and their problem solving strategies. A potential application is in training novice modellers, particularly in developing ‘craft skills’. The results also provide an empirical basis for further research, especially in conceptual modelling.     

The design of colliery information and control systems

The paper is concerned with describing an investigation of information usage in the control of colliery operations. The premise of the work is that to make the most of new information retrieval technology currently being installed in collieries research in needed to provide compatible advances in methods of information usage. The approach adopted was to construct a continuous simulation model using system dynamics capable of providing a laboratory assessment of alternative managerial control policies based on alternative sources and levels of aggregation of information.The model developed represents a typical colliery situation composed of three working coal-faces and incorporating planning, production, development and manpower sectors. The face sectors transform coal reserves to mined coal output, under manpower constraints and geological shocks, and these are all interlinked by means of allocation policies for manpower and machine shifts.A range of policies for the exercise of control through these allocations are considered subject to a range of shocks. It is concluded that, although there are difficulties in designing single policies which are universally best, there are clear advantages associated with fully integrated colliery policies based on information inputs from all aspects of the operations.     

Crew rostering problem in a public transport company

In this paper, we present an applied study commissioned by Metro Bilbao on how to establish a more egalitarian annual allocation of work to drivers. Task allocation is mixed, with some tasks allocated on a rotating basis and others not. The model proposed is solved as a sequence of four types of integer programming problem. The solution obtained is quasi-optimal: all drivers carry out practically the same tasks over the full year. The main contribution of this paper is its method for combining semi-rotating allocation with a planning time frame divided into five periods of three different types with a workload distributed in a non uniform fashion over the days of the week, and with constraints agreed with employees to obtain an egalitarian solution. This method is being implemented at Metro Bilbao, and Eusko Tren has commissioned a study into a similar method by the authors.     

基于点截集的围堵嫌犯模型

研究了在突发事件中交巡警对在逃嫌犯的围堵问题, 该问题为2011年全国大学生数学建模竞赛B题的一部分。接到报警后,交巡警服务平台的警力需要指派到路网路口以堵截嫌犯。将该问题转化为阻止嫌犯逃到特定点集的问题;并分析了怎样判断被选为围堵点的点集对一个指定点形成包围的问题。推广了点截集的概念,给出了判断点集是否为点截集和紧点截集的优化模型。然后将判断是否为点截集的模型转换为约束集合, 用于建立围堵嫌犯模型,以四个不同的优化标准分别建立了围堵问题的0-1整数规划模型。并给出了部分模型的Lingo算例。     

Resource level minimization in the discrete–continuous scheduling

A discrete–continuous problem of non-preemptive task scheduling on identical parallel processors is considered. Tasks are described by means of a dynamic model, in which the speed of the task performance depends on the amount of a single continuously divisible renewable resource allotted to this task over time. An upper bound on the completion time of all the tasks is given. The criterion is to minimize the maximum resource consumption at each time instant, i.e., the resource level. This problem has been observed in many industrial applications, where a continuously divisible resource such as gas, fuel, electric, hydraulic or pneumatic power, etc., has to be distributed among the processing units over time, and it affects their productivity. The problem consists of two interrelated subproblems: task sequencing on processors (discrete subproblem) and resource allocation among the tasks (continuous subproblem). An optimal resource allocation algorithm for a given sequence of tasks is presented and computationally tested. Furthermore, approximation algorithms are proposed, and their theoretical and experimental worst-case performances are analyzed. Computer experiments confirmed the efficiency of all the algorithms.     

Applying min–max <Emphasis Type="Italic">k</Emphasis> postmen problems to the routing of security guards

The most essential and alluring characteristic of a security estate is the estate's ability to provide 24-h security to its residents, of which the continual patrolling of roads and paths is vital. The objective of this paper is to address the lack of sufficient patrol route design procedures by presenting a tabu search algorithm capable of generating multiple patrol routes for an estate's security guards. The paper shows that the problem of designing these routes can be modelled as an Arc Routing Problem, specifically as min–max k postmen problems. The algorithm is illustrated with a real problem instance from an estate in Gauteng, South Africa. The patrol routes generated by the algorithm provide a significant improvement in the even patrolling of the road network, and a more balanced work distribution among guards. The algorithm is also tested on several benchmark problems from literature.     

Contributions to a Theory of Patrol Scheduling

The problem considered in this paper is that of scheduling police patrols in a random pattern. This involves generating patrol routes as well as schedules for dispatching patrol vehicles. A solution to this problem is obtained by specifying minimum average patrol requirements on each route segment in a network and then developing a procedure which meets these requirements while minimizing the total patrol effort. Introducing vehicles into the network in a Poisson stream results in Poisson streams in each route segment and so ensures that an observer cannot use previous history for predicting arrival patterns. This solution also has the property that the number of patrol cars in the network is a Poisson random variable for which the steady-state can be achieved immediately. The steady-state distribution function is also used to determine the number of patrol cars required.     

Three Value Estimates of Input Variables and Health Manpower Projections

The introduction of variability and stochastic processes in health manpower projections may help health planners cope with the inherent problem of uncertainty in the future. However, limited data and the complex nature of health manpower make it very difficult or even impossible to estimate the probability distribution of input variables. In this paper, two statistical methods are discussed and compared for approximating a probability distribution based on imperfect data. The common feature of the two methods is that they use minimum, maximum, and most likely values, which can be estimated by people with little knowledge of statistics and probability. In addition, the methods can be used to analyse variables with a symmetrical as well as non-symmetrical probability distribution. An example is provided of the application of the methods to health manpower projections in China.     

基于差分方程的货运市场占有率模型

合理估计产品的市场占有率是企业做出营销决策时需要考虑的最重要的因素之一。总结国内外部分有关市场占有率的研究献；建立关于铁路、公路货运量在全社会货运中市场占有率的差分方程组模型，运算后得出铁路、公路货运在整个货运市场中的占有率将趋向相对稳定的结论；通过利用历史统计数据计算，验证了该模型的可行性。