Airline planning and scheduling: Models and solution methodologies

The airline industry is a representative industry with high cost and low profitability. Therefore, airlines should carefully plan their schedules to ensure that overall profit is maximized. We review the literature on airline planning and scheduling and focus on mathematical formulations and solution methodologies. Our research framework is anchored on three major problems in the airline scheduling, namely, fleet assignment, aircraft routing, and crew scheduling. General formulation, widely used solution approaches, and important extensions are presented for each problem and integrated problems. We conclude the review by identifying promising areas for further research.     

适应不同重力环境的仿壁虎机器人运动仿真

针对不同重力环境下仿壁虎机器人的运动稳定性、运动高效协调性等问题,基于四足机器人的步态规划现状和仿壁虎机器人自身特定的机械结构,设计了仿壁虎机器人在g、0、-g 3种环境下的足端轨迹和运动步态。在ADAMS仿真软件中研究了机器人的运动学和动力学特性,得到了仿壁虎机器人稳定爬行与脚掌黏附力、足端轨迹和运动步态的关系。探讨了仿真结果的合理性和局限性,为仿壁虎机器人在实际环境中的稳定运动奠定了理论基础。     

Generation expansion planning in electricity markets: A novel framework based on dynamic stochastic MPEC

This paper presents a novel framework for generation expansion planning (GEP) of restructured power systems under uncertainty in a multi-period horizon, which includes generation investment from a price maker perspective. The investment problem is modeled as a bi-level optimization problem. The first level problem includes decisions related to investment in order to maximize total profit in the planning horizon. The second level problem consists of maximizing social welfare where the power market is cleared. Rival uncertainties on offering and investment are modeled using sets of scenarios. The bi-level optimization problem is then converted to a dynamic stochastic MPEC and represented as a mixed integer linear program (MILP) after linearization. The proposed framework is examined on a typical six-bus power network, MAZANDARAN regional electric company (MREC) transmission network as an area of IRAN interconnected power system and IEEE RTS 24-bus network. Simulation results confirm that the proposed framework can be a useful tool for analyzing the behavior of investments in electricity markets.     

Metacarpophalangeal joint patterns based personal identification system

This paper introduces a novel approach for identity authentication system based on metacarpophalangeal joint patterns (MJPs). A discriminative common vector (DCV) based method is utilized for feature selection. In the literature, there is no study using whole MJP for identity authentication, exceptionally a work (Ferrer et al., 2005) using the hand knuckle pattern which is some part of the MJP draws the attention as a similar study. The originality of this approach is that: whole MJP is firstly used as a biometric identifier and DCV method is firstly applied for extracting the feature set of MJP. The developed system performs some basic tasks like image acquisition, image pre-processing, feature extraction, matching, and performance evaluation. The feasibility and effectiveness of this approach is rigorously evaluated using the k-fold cross validation technique on two different databases: a publicly available database and a specially established database. The experimental results indicate that the MJPs are very distinctive biometric identifiers and can be securely used in biometric identification and verification systems, DCV method is successfully employed for obtaining the feature set of MJPs and proposed MJP based authentication approach is very successful according to state of the art techniques with a recognition rate of between 95.33% and 100.00%.     

Interfacial failure analysis of functionally graded adhesively bonded double supported tee joint of laminated FRP composite plates

This paper deals with three-dimensional non-linear finite element analyses to assess the structural behavior of adhesively-bonded double supported tee joint of laminated FRP composites having embedded interfacial failures. The onset of interfacial failures is predicted by using Tsai–Wu coupled stress failure criterion with pre-determined stress values. The concept of fracture mechanics principle is utilized to study the sustainability of the tee joint having interfacial failures pre-existed at the critical locations. Individual modes of the strain energy release rates (SERR) G_I, G_II and G_III, are considered as the damage growth parameters and, are evaluated using the Modified crack closure integral (MCCI) technique based on the concept of linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM). Based on the stress analyses, it has been observed that the interfacial failures in tee joint structure trigger at the interface of base plate and adhesive layer from both ends of base plate. Depending on the SERR magnitudes, it has been noticed that the interfacial failure propagates under mixed mode condition. Therefore total SERR (G_T) is considered as the governing parameter for damage propagation. Furthermore, efforts have been made to retard damage propagation rate by employing functionally graded adhesive (FGA) instead of monolithic adhesive material. Series of numerical simulations have been performed for varied interfacial failure length in functionally graded adhesively bonded double supported tee joint structure in order to achieve the significant effect of FGA with various modulus ratios on SERR. Material gradation of adhesive indicates significant SERR reduction at the incipient stage of failure which necessitates the use of functionally graded adhesive for the tee joint and prolong the service life of the structure.     

An FCM–FAHP approach for managing readiness-relevant activities for ERP implementation

Any organization which plans to introduce a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system will carry out a range of activities to improve its readiness for the new system. This paper develops a new approach for managing these interrelated activities using fuzzy cognitive maps (FCMs) and the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP). This approach enables the organization to (1) identify the readiness-relevant activities, (2) determine how these activities influence each other, (3) assess how these activities will contribute to the overall readiness and (4) prioritize these activities according to their causal interrelationships to allocate management effort for the overall readiness improvement. The approach first uses FCMs and a fuzzy connection matrix to represent all possible causal relationships between activities. It then uses FAHP to determine the contribution weights and uses FCM inference to include the effects of feedback between the activities. Based on the contribution and interrelationships between activities, a management matrix is developed to categorize them into four management zones for effective allocation of limited management efforts. An empirical study is conducted to demonstrate how the approach works.     

A web-based software tool for participatory optimization of conservation practices in watersheds

WRESTORE (Watershed Restoration Using Spatio-Temporal Optimization of Resources) is a web-based, participatory planning tool that can be used to engage with watershed stakeholder communities, and involve them in using science-based, human-guided, interactive simulation–optimization methods for designing potential conservation practices on their landscape. The underlying optimization algorithms, process simulation models, and interfaces allow users to not only spatially optimize the locations and types of new conservation practices based on quantifiable goals estimated by the dynamic simulation models, but also to include their personal subjective and/or unquantifiable criteria in the location and design of these practices. In this paper, we describe the software, interfaces, and architecture of WRESTORE, provide scenarios for implementing the WRESTORE tool in a watershed community's planning process, and discuss considerations for future developments.     

Strategic planning optimization for natural gas to liquid transportation fuel (GTL) systems

A strategic planning optimization model is proposed for a network of natural gas to liquids (GTL) systems, and it is solved using a rolling horizon strategy. The model formulation determines the strategic and tactical decisions of the GTL supply chain over a long time horizon. The decisions to build new GTL refineries may be made over the span of 30 years and their operations cover the span of 60 years. Multiple capacities of GTL refineries (i.e., 1, 5, 10, 50, and 200 thousand barrels per day) that produce gasoline, diesel, and kerosene commensurate to the United States demand ratio may exist in the network. The parameter inputs include the locations, availabilities, and prices of natural gas in the United States discretized by county, the delivery locations of fuel products, and the transportation costs of every input and output of the refinery, defined for each time period. Formulated as a large-scale mixed-integer linear optimization (MILP) model, the problem is solved using a rolling horizon strategy for tractability. Case studies on the state of Pennsylvania are presented for different planning schemes and their impact on the economic performance of the GTL network is discussed.     

An integrated approach for sustainable supply chain planning

This paper proposes an integrated approach for transposing sustainable development principles to supply chain planning models. Inspired by research on performance measurement, we designed a method that links sustainability performance to supply chain decisions, and allows setting coherent performance measures. By transposing this method to a multi-objective mathematical programming, the supply chain planning is optimized while the economic, environmental and social performances are all coherently integrated into the model. To illustrate our approach, we applied it to a Canadian lumber industry case. We solved the mathematical model by using the weighted goal programming technique, which results in a set of “compromise” solutions allowing the decision maker to choose the alternative that reflects the balance he/she wishes to make regarding the three dimensions of sustainability.     

Managing readiness-relevant activities for the organizational dimension of ERP implementation

An organization requires performing readiness-relevant activities to ensure successful implementation of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. This paper develops a novel approach to managing these interrelated activities to get ready for implementing an ERP system. The approach enables an organization to evaluate its ERP implementation readiness by assessing the degree to which it can achieve the interrelated readiness relevant activities using fuzzy cognitive maps. Based on the interrelationship degrees among the activities, the approach clusters the activities into manageable groups and prioritizes them. To help work out a readiness improvement plan, scenario analysis is conducted.