TY - GEN
T1 - Approximate dynamic programming for rail operations
AU - Powell, Warren Buckler
AU - Bouzaiene-Ayari, Belgacem
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - Approximate dynamic programming offers a new modeling and algorithmic strategy for complex problems such as rail operations. Problems in rail operations are often modeled using classical math programming models defined over space-time networks. Even simplified models can be hard to solve, requiring the use of various heuristics. We show how to combine math programming and simulation in an ADP-framework, producing a strategy that looks like simulation using iterative learning. Instead of solving a single, large optimization problem, we solve sequences of smaller ones that can be solved optimally using commercial solvers. We step forward in time using the same flexible logic used in simulation models. We show that we can still obtain near optimal solutions, while modeling operations at a very high level of detail. We describe how to adapt the strategy to the modeling of freight cars and locomotives.
AB - Approximate dynamic programming offers a new modeling and algorithmic strategy for complex problems such as rail operations. Problems in rail operations are often modeled using classical math programming models defined over space-time networks. Even simplified models can be hard to solve, requiring the use of various heuristics. We show how to combine math programming and simulation in an ADP-framework, producing a strategy that looks like simulation using iterative learning. Instead of solving a single, large optimization problem, we solve sequences of smaller ones that can be solved optimally using commercial solvers. We step forward in time using the same flexible logic used in simulation models. We show that we can still obtain near optimal solutions, while modeling operations at a very high level of detail. We describe how to adapt the strategy to the modeling of freight cars and locomotives.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84883000063&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84883000063&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84883000063
SN - 9783939897040
T3 - OpenAccess Series in Informatics
SP - 191
EP - 208
BT - 7th Workshop on Algorithmic Approaches for Transportation Modeling, Optimization, and Systems, ATMOS 2007
T2 - 7th Workshop on Algorithmic Approaches for Transportation Modeling, Optimization, and Systems, ATMOS 2007
Y2 - 15 November 2007 through 16 November 2007
ER -