In this research project, an integration of multi-agent technology and optimization techniques is suggested for the combined production and transport planning problem in a transport chain. The chain consists of a producer, a transport operator, and a number of customers. Optimization decomposition techniques use (dual) prices of resources to coordinate the generation of different plans in the so called sub-problems. We argue that these dual prices and generated plans can enhance the multi-agent based approach. By using the agent technology, we can better resemble the interactions between real planners reallocating resources. A transport chain within the food industry has been selected for validating the developed solution method.
Citation:
Jan A. Persson, Paul Davidsson, "Integrated Optimization and Multi-Agent Technology for Combined Production and Transportation Planning," hicss, vol. 3, pp.72b, Proceedings of the 38th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS'05) - Track 3, 2005