A Hybrid Search Method for Evolutionary Dynamic Optimization of the 3-dimensional Personnel Assignment Problem and its Case Study Evaluation at The City of Calgary

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dc.contributor.advisorRuhe, Guenther
dc.contributor.authorNiknafs, Arash
dc.contributor.committeememberJacob, Christian
dc.contributor.committeememberKremer, Rob
dc.date.accessioned2016-01-18T18:28:40Z
dc.date.available2016-01-18T18:28:40Z
dc.date.issued2016-01-18
dc.date.submitted2015en
dc.description.abstractEvolutionary dynamic optimization is receiving more attention as it continues to deliver value in more application areas. In this thesis, an evolutionary dynamic optimization method for solving both static and dynamic personnel assignment optimization problems is proposed. This evolutionary method is based on the idea of genetic algorithms. Starting with the static scenario, I build an evolutionary algorithm that utilizes two variations of an OR-tree-based search method in generating the initial population and offspring. I then use the evolutionary algorithm for the static scenario as a framework into which I integrate two new strategies for tackling dynamism in the problem. In this thesis, I focus on the type of changes that require getting new (i.e. up-to-date) solutions as fast as possible right after the change. This type of changes has many applications in areas such as aircraft landing and take-off scheduling and mobile wireless network routing. Motivated by a real-world problem (at the City of Calgary), I focus on the changes in the availability of personnel in personnel assignment problems. I have two proposed solution approaches to the dynamism which utilize OR-tree-based search features and epigenetics mechanisms (both inside the evolutionary algorithm). Three additional strategies for tackling other types of changes are also presented. In this research, multidimensionality and dynamism are for the first time brought together into the personnel assignment problem. Using both real-world data (for the case study) and synthetic data (for additional evaluation) in the experiments, the experimental results prove the usefulness and responsiveness of my proposed solution approaches. Moreover, the feedback from the domain experts and higher level management in the case study show a strong preference for using my system and its outputs over the current practice. The case study took place in the Waste and Recycling Services business unit at the City of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. The synthetic data was generated based on the real-world data.en_US
dc.identifier.citationNiknafs, A. (2016). A Hybrid Search Method for Evolutionary Dynamic Optimization of the 3-dimensional Personnel Assignment Problem and its Case Study Evaluation at The City of Calgary (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/24763en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/24763
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11023/2757
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.facultyGraduate Studies
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subjectArtificial Intelligence
dc.subjectComputer Science
dc.subjectEngineering--Operations Research
dc.subject.classificationEvolutionary dynamic optimizationen_US
dc.subject.classificationEpigeneticsen_US
dc.subject.classificationAssignment problemen_US
dc.subject.classificationPersonnel assignment problemen_US
dc.subject.classificationGenetic Algorithmen_US
dc.subject.classificationSearch-based optimizationen_US
dc.subject.classificationMultidimensional assignment problemen_US
dc.titleA Hybrid Search Method for Evolutionary Dynamic Optimization of the 3-dimensional Personnel Assignment Problem and its Case Study Evaluation at The City of Calgary
dc.typedoctoral thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineComputer Science
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
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