Innovative systems for the transportation disadvantaged: towards more efficient and operationally usable planning tools

When considering innovative forms of public transport for specific groups, such as demand responsive services, the challenge is to find a good balance between operational efficiency and 'user friendliness' of the scheduling algorithm even when specialized skills are not available. Regret insertion-based processes have shown their effectiveness in addressing this specific concern. We introduce a new class of hybrid regret measures to understand better why the behaviour of this kind of heuristic is superior to that of other insertion rules. Our analyses show the importance of keeping a good balance between short- and long-term strategies during the solution process. We also use this methodology to investigate the relationship between the number of vehicles needed and total distance covered - the key point of any cost analysis striving for greater efficiency. Against expectations, in most cases decreasing fleet size leads to savings in vehicle mileage, since the heuristic solution is still far from optimality

Comparison of heuristic approaches for the multiple depot vehicle scheduling problem

Given a set of timetabled tasks, the multi-depot vehicle scheduling problem is a well-known problem that consists of determining least-cost schedules for vehicles assigned to several depots such that each task is accomplished exactly once by a vehicle. In this paper, we propose to compare the performance of five different heuristic approaches for this problem, namely, a heuristic \\mip solver, a Lagrangian heuristic, a column generation heuristic, a large neighborhood search heuristic using column generation for neighborhood evaluation, and a tabu search heuristic. The first three methods are adaptations of existing methods, while the last two are novel approaches for this problem. Computational results on randomly generated instances show that the column generation heuristic performs the best when enough computational time is available and stability is required, while the large neighborhood search method is the best alternative when looking for a compromise between computational time and solution quality

A statistical learning based approach for parameter fine-tuning of metaheuristics

Metaheuristics are approximation methods used to solve combinatorial optimization problems. Their performance usually depends on a set of parameters that need to be adjusted. The selection of appropriate parameter values causes a loss of efficiency, as it requires time, and advanced analytical and problem-specific skills. This paper provides an overview of the principal approaches to tackle the Parameter Setting Problem, focusing on the statistical procedures employed so far by the scientific community. In addition, a novel methodology is proposed, which is tested using an already existing algorithm for solving the Multi-Depot Vehicle Routing Problem.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Essays on urban bus transport optimization

Nesta tese, nós apresentamos uma compilação de três artigos de otimização aplicados no contexto de transporte urbano de ônibus. O principal objetivo foi estudar e implementar heurísticas com base em Pesquisa Operacional para otimizar problemas de (re)escalonamento de veículos off-line e on-line considerando várias garagens e frota heterogênea. No primeiro artigo, foi proposta uma abordagem heurística para o problema de escalonamento de veículos múltiplas garagens. Acreditamos que as principais contribuições são o método de geração de colunas para grandes instâncias e as técnicas de redução do espaço de estados para acelerar as soluções. No segundo artigo, adicionamos complexidade ao considerar a frota heterogênea, denotada como multiple depot vehicle type scheduling problem (MDVTSP). Embora a importância e a aplicabilidade do MDVTSP, formulações matemáticas e métodos de solução para isso ainda sejam relativamente inexplorados. A principal contribuição desse trabalho foi o método de geração de colunas para o problema com frota heterogênea, já que nenhuma outra proposta na literatura foi identificada no momento pelos autores. Na terceira parte desta tese, no entanto, nos concentramos no reescalonamento em tempo real para o caso de quebras definitivas de veículos. A principal contribuição é a abordagem eficiente do reescalonamento sob uma quebra. A abordagem com redução de espaço de estados, solução inicial e método de geração de colunas possibilitou uma ação realmente em tempo real. Em menos de cinco minutos, reescalonando todas as viagens restantes.In this dissetation we presented a three articles compilation in urban bus transportation optimization. The main objective was to study and implement heuristic solutions method based on Operations Research to optimizing offline and online vehicle (re)scheduling problems considering multiple depots and heterogeneous fleet. In the first paper, a fast heuristic approach to deal with the multiple depot vehicle scheduling problem was proposed. We think the main contributions are the column generation framework for large instances and the state-space reduction techniques for accelerating the solutions. In the second paper, we added complexity when considering the heterogeneous fleet, denoted as "the multiple-depot vehicle-type scheduling problem" (MDVTSP). Although the MDVTSP importance and applicability, mathematical formulations and solution methods for it are still relatively unexplored. We think the main contribution is the column generation framework for instances with heterogeneous fleet since no other proposal in the literature has been identified at moment by the authors. In the third part of this dissertation, however, we focused on the real-time schedule recovery for the case of serious vehicle failures. Such vehicle breakdowns require that the remaining passengers from the disabled vehicle, and those expected to become part of the trip, to be picked up. In addition, since the disabled vehicle may have future trips assigned to it, the given schedule may be deteriorated to the extent where the fleet plan may need to be adjusted in real-time depending on the current state of what is certainly a dynamic system. Usually, without the help of a rescheduling algorithm, the dispatcher either cancels the trips that are initially scheduled to be implemented by the disabled vehicle (when there are upcoming future trips planned that could soon serve the expected demand for the canceled trips), or simply dispatches an available vehicle from a depot. In both cases, there may be considerable delays introduced. This manual approach may result in a poor solution. The implementation of new technologies (e.g., automatic vehicle locators, the global positioning system, geographical information systems, and wireless communication) in public transit systems makes it possible to implement real-time vehicle rescheduling algorithms at low cost. The main contribution is the efficient approach to rescheduling under a disruption. The approach with integrated state-space reduction, initial solution, and column generation framework enable a really real-time action. In less than five minutes rescheduling all trips remaining

Distribution planning in a weather-dependent scenario with stochastic travel times: a simheuristics approach

In real-life logistics, distribution plans might be affected by weather conditions (rain, snow, and fog), since they might have a significant effect on traveling times and, therefore, on total distribution costs. In this paper, the distribution problem is modeled as a multi-depot vehicle routing problem with stochastic traveling times. These traveling times are not only stochastic in nature but the specific probability distribution used to model them depends on the particular weather conditions on the delivery day. In order to solve the aforementioned problem, a simheuristic approach combining simulation within a biased-randomized heuristic framework is proposed. As the computational experiments will show, our simulation-optimization algorithm is able to provide high-quality solutions to this NP-hard problem in short computing times even for large-scale instances. From a managerial perspective, such a tool can be very useful in practical applications since it helps to increase the efficiency of the logistics and transportation operations.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Distribution planning in a weather-dependent scenario with stochastic travel times: a simheuristics approach

In real-life logistics, distribution plans might be affected by weather conditions (rain, snow, and fog), since they might have a significant effect on traveling times and, therefore, on total distribution costs. In this paper, the distribution problem is modeled as a multi-depot vehicle routing problem with stochastic traveling times. These traveling times are not only stochastic in nature but the specific probability distribution used to model them depends on the particular weather conditions on the delivery day. In order to solve the aforementioned problem, a simheuristic approach combining simulation within a biased-randomized heuristic framework is proposed. As the computational experiments will show, our simulation-optimization algorithm is able to provide high-quality solutions to this NP-hard problem in short computing times even for large-scale instances. From a managerial perspective, such a tool can be very useful in practical applications since it helps to increase the efficiency of the logistics and transportation operations.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Performance Evaluation of Real-time Scheduling Approaches in Vehicle-based Internal Transport Systems

This paper studies the performance of static and real-time scheduling approaches in vehicle-based internal transport (VBIT) systems, which can be found in manufacturing and warehouse facilities. We propose three heuristic approaches for static VBIT problems (insertion, combined and column generation), extend them to a dynamic, real-time setting and compare their performance over a rolling time horizon. This time horizon can be seen either as a fixed-time interval in which advance information about loads’ arrivals is available, or as a fixed number of loads which are known to become available in the near future. We also propose two dynamic assignment approaches: with and without look-ahead, respectively. Performance (primarily average load waiting time) of the above five dynamic scheduling approaches is compared with two nearest-vehicle-first rules (with and without look-ahead), which are the best vehicle dispatching rules known from literature and which are commonly used in practice. Experimental results show that, if sufficient prior information is available, our dynamic scheduling approaches consistently outperform vehicle dispatching rules. Results also reveal that guide-path layout, load arrival rate and variance, and amount of load pre-arrival information have strong impacts on the performance of vehicle control approaches. Column generation or the combined heuristics are recommended in small or medium-scale VBIT systems, whereas for large scale VBIT systems, both the combined heuristic and the dynamic assignment approach with look ahead perform best

Essays on urban bus transport optimization

Nesta tese, nós apresentamos uma compilação de três artigos de otimização aplicados no contexto de transporte urbano de ônibus. O principal objetivo foi estudar e implementar heurísticas com base em Pesquisa Operacional para otimizar problemas de (re)escalonamento de veículos off-line e on-line considerando várias garagens e frota heterogênea. No primeiro artigo, foi proposta uma abordagem heurística para o problema de escalonamento de veículos múltiplas garagens. Acreditamos que as principais contribuições são o método de geração de colunas para grandes instâncias e as técnicas de redução do espaço de estados para acelerar as soluções. No segundo artigo, adicionamos complexidade ao considerar a frota heterogênea, denotada como multiple depot vehicle type scheduling problem (MDVTSP). Embora a importância e a aplicabilidade do MDVTSP, formulações matemáticas e métodos de solução para isso ainda sejam relativamente inexplorados. A principal contribuição desse trabalho foi o método de geração de colunas para o problema com frota heterogênea, já que nenhuma outra proposta na literatura foi identificada no momento pelos autores. Na terceira parte desta tese, no entanto, nos concentramos no reescalonamento em tempo real para o caso de quebras definitivas de veículos. A principal contribuição é a abordagem eficiente do reescalonamento sob uma quebra. A abordagem com redução de espaço de estados, solução inicial e método de geração de colunas possibilitou uma ação realmente em tempo real. Em menos de cinco minutos, reescalonando todas as viagens restantes.In this dissetation we presented a three articles compilation in urban bus transportation optimization. The main objective was to study and implement heuristic solutions method based on Operations Research to optimizing offline and online vehicle (re)scheduling problems considering multiple depots and heterogeneous fleet. In the first paper, a fast heuristic approach to deal with the multiple depot vehicle scheduling problem was proposed. We think the main contributions are the column generation framework for large instances and the state-space reduction techniques for accelerating the solutions. In the second paper, we added complexity when considering the heterogeneous fleet, denoted as "the multiple-depot vehicle-type scheduling problem" (MDVTSP). Although the MDVTSP importance and applicability, mathematical formulations and solution methods for it are still relatively unexplored. We think the main contribution is the column generation framework for instances with heterogeneous fleet since no other proposal in the literature has been identified at moment by the authors. In the third part of this dissertation, however, we focused on the real-time schedule recovery for the case of serious vehicle failures. Such vehicle breakdowns require that the remaining passengers from the disabled vehicle, and those expected to become part of the trip, to be picked up. In addition, since the disabled vehicle may have future trips assigned to it, the given schedule may be deteriorated to the extent where the fleet plan may need to be adjusted in real-time depending on the current state of what is certainly a dynamic system. Usually, without the help of a rescheduling algorithm, the dispatcher either cancels the trips that are initially scheduled to be implemented by the disabled vehicle (when there are upcoming future trips planned that could soon serve the expected demand for the canceled trips), or simply dispatches an available vehicle from a depot. In both cases, there may be considerable delays introduced. This manual approach may result in a poor solution. The implementation of new technologies (e.g., automatic vehicle locators, the global positioning system, geographical information systems, and wireless communication) in public transit systems makes it possible to implement real-time vehicle rescheduling algorithms at low cost. The main contribution is the efficient approach to rescheduling under a disruption. The approach with integrated state-space reduction, initial solution, and column generation framework enable a really real-time action. In less than five minutes rescheduling all trips remaining