Comparison of agent-based scheduling to look-ahead heuristics for real-time transportation problems

We consider the real-time scheduling of full truckload transportation orders with time windows that arrive during schedule execution. Because a fast scheduling method is required, look-ahead heuristics are traditionally used to solve these kinds of problems. As an alternative, we introduce an agent-based approach where intelligent vehicle agents schedule their own routes. They interact with job agents, who strive for minimum transportation costs, using a Vickrey auction for each incoming order. This approach offers several advantages: it is fast, requires relatively little information and facilitates easy schedule adjustments in reaction to information updates. We compare the agent-based approach to more traditional hierarchical heuristics in an extensive simulation experiment. We find that a properly designed multiagent approach performs as good as or even better than traditional methods. Particularly, the multi-agent approach yields less empty miles and a more stable service level

Agent-based transportation planning compared with scheduling heuristics

Here we consider the problem of dynamically assigning vehicles to transportation orders that have di¤erent time windows and should be handled in real time. We introduce a new agent-based system for the planning and scheduling of these transportation networks. Intelligent vehicle agents schedule their own routes. They interact with job agents, who strive for minimum transportation costs, using a Vickrey auction for each incoming order. We use simulation to compare the on-time delivery percentage and the vehicle utilization of an agent-based planning system to a traditional system based on OR heuristics (look-ahead rules, serial scheduling). Numerical experiments show that a properly designed multi-agent system may perform as good as or even better than traditional methods

Modelling Planner-Carrier Interactions in Road Freight Transport: Optimization of Road Maintenance Costs Via Overloading Control

A bi-level modelling approach is proposed to represent the interaction between the vehicle loading practices of road freight transport carriers, and the decisions of a road planning authority responsible both for road maintenance and for the enforcement of overloading control. At the lower (reactive) level, the overloading decisions of the carriers impact on road maintenance expenditure, while at the upper (anticipatory) level the planner decides fine and enforcement levels by anticipating the responses of the carriers. A case study using data from Mexico is used to illustrate the method

Interaction between intelligent agent strategies for real-time transportation planning

In this paper we study the real-time scheduling of time-sensitive full truckload pickup-and-delivery jobs. The problem involves the allocation of jobs to a fixed set of vehicles which might belong to dfferent collaborating transportation agencies. A recently proposed solution methodology for this problem is the use of a multi-agent system where shipper agents other jobs through sequential auctions and vehicle agents bid on these jobs. In this paper we consider such a multi-agent system where both the vehicle agents and the shipper agents are using profit maximizing look-ahead strategies. Our main contribution is that we study the interrelation of these strategies and their impact on the system-wide logistical costs. From our simulation results, we conclude that the system-wide logistical costs (i) are always reduced by using the look-ahead policies instead of a myopic policy (10-20%) and (ii) the joint effect of two look-ahead policies is larger than the effect of an individual policy. To provide an indication of the savings that might be realized with a central solution methodology, we benchmark our results against an integer programming approach

Internal report cluster 1: Urban freight innovations and solutions for sustainable deliveries (2/4)

Technical report about sustainable urban freight solutions, part 2 of

Multi-Criteria Optimization for Fleet Size with Environmental Aspects

[EN] This research concerns multi-criteria vehicle routing problems. Mathematical models are formulated with mixed-integer programming. We consider maximization of capacity of truck vs. minimization of utilization of fuel, carbon emission and production of noise. The problems deal with green logistics for routes crossing the Western Pyrenees in Navarre, Basque Country and La Rioja, Spain. We consider heterogeneous fleet of trucks. Different types of trucks have not only different capacities, but also require different amounts of fuel for operations. Consequently, the amount of carbon emission and noise vary as well. Companies planning delivery routes must consider the trade-off between the financial and environmental aspects of transportation. Efficiency of delivery routes is impacted by truck size and the possibility of dividing long delivery routes into smaller ones. The results of computational experiments modeled after real data from a Spanish food distribution company are reported. Computational results based on formulated optimization models show some balance between fleet size, truck types, utilization of fuel, carbon emission and production of noise. As a result, the company could consider a mixture of trucks sizes and divided routes for smaller trucks. Analyses of obtained results could help logistics managers lead the initiative in environmental conservation by saving fuel and consequently minimizing pollution.This work has been partially supported by the National Research Center (NCN), Poland (DEC2013/11/B/ST8/04458), by AGH, and by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (TRA2013-48180- C3-P and TRA2015-71883-REDT), and the Ibero-American Program for Science and Technology for Development (CYTED2014-515RT0489). Likewise, we want to acknowledge the support received by the CAN Foundation in Navarre, Spain (Grants CAN2014-3758 and CAN2015-70473). The authors are grateful to anonymous reviewers for their comments.Sawik, B.; Faulin, J.; Pérez-Bernabeu, E. (2017). Multi-Criteria Optimization for Fleet Size with Environmental Aspects. Transportation Research Procedia. 27:61-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2017.12.05661682

Planning of Truck Platoons: a Literature Review and Directions for Future Research

A truck platoon is a set of virtually linked trucks that drive closely behind one another using automated driving technology. Benefits of truck platooning include cost savings, reduced emissions, and more efficient utilization of road capacity. To fully reap these benefits in the initial phases requires careful planning of platoons based on trucks’ itineraries and time schedules. This paper provides a framework to classify various new transportation planning problems that arise in truck platooning, surveys relevant operations research models for these problems in the literature and identifies directions for future research

Rapid Mathematical Programming for Cooperative Truck Networks

Many biological assays require the ability to isolate and process single cells. Some research fields, such as the characterization of rare cells, the in vitro processing of stem cells, and the study of early stage cell differentiation, call for the additional and typically unmet ability to work with extremely low-count cell populations. In all these cases, efficient single-cell handling must be matched with the ability to work on a limited number of cells with a low cell loss rate. In this paper, we present a platform combining flow-through processing with deterministic (nonstatistical) patterning of cells coming from extremely small cell populations. We describe here modules using dielectrophoresis to control the position of cells flowing in microchannels and to pattern them in open microwells where cells were further analyzed. K562 cells continuously flowing at a speed of up to 100 μm/s were tridimensionally focused, aligned, and patterned inside microwells. A high-patterning yield and low cell loss rate were demonstrated experimentally: 15uL drops, containing an average of 15 cells, were transferred to the microchannel with an 83% yield, and cells were then patterned into microwells with a 100% yield. The deterministic patterning of cells was demonstrated both by isolating single cells in microwells and by creating clusters composed of a predetermined number of cells. Cell proliferation was assessed by easily recovering cells from open microwells, and a growth rate comparable to the control was obtained

Off-peak truck deliveries at container terminals: the 'Good Night' program in Israel

Purpose – Avoiding truck congestion and peaks in landside activity is one of the challenges to container terminal managers. The spreading of truck arrivals at terminals can be facilitated by widening the opening hours of terminals at the landside. Israel’s Ministry of Transport has instituted the “Good Night Program”, involving monetary incentives for importers and exporters who deliver containers to ports at night. Design/methodology/approach – This paper aims to quantitatively examine the market utility resulting from shifting traffic from daytime to nighttime, and analyzes customer considerations regarding nighttime transportation. Findings – The external utility found in the traffic-economics model is quite similar to the economic incentive given to customers. Therefore, a significant increase of the incentive is not feasible. Originality/value – Furthermore, it seems that an incentive method by itself is not effective enough, and does not motivate customers to act and find creative solutions to the obstacles they face. To achieve a considerable change in nighttime transport to Israeli ports, more effective methods should be examined