The scientific monograph of a survey kind presented to the reader's attention deals with fundamental ideas and basic schemes of optimization methods that can be effectively used for solving strategic planning and operations manage ment problems related, in particular, to transportation. This monograph is an English translation of a considerable part of the author's book with a similar title that was published in Russian in 1992. The material of the monograph embraces methods of linear and nonlinear programming; nonsmooth and nonconvex optimization; integer programming, solving problems on graphs, and solving problems with mixed variables; rout ing, scheduling, solving network flow problems, and solving the transportation problem; stochastic programming, multicriteria optimization, game theory, and optimization on fuzzy sets and under fuzzy goals; optimal control of systems described by ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, gen eralized differential equations (differential inclusions), and functional equations with a variable that can assume only discrete values; and some other methods that are based on or adjoin to the listed ones.

This book explores the methodological and application developments of network design in transportation and logistics. It identifies trends, challenges and research perspectives in network design for these areas. Network design is a major class of problems in operations research where network flow, combinatorial and mixed integer optimization meet. The analysis and planning of transportation and logistics systems continues to be one of the most important application areas of operations research. Networks provide the natural way of depicting such systems, so the optimal design and operation of networks is the main methodological area of operations research that is used for the analysis and planning of these systems. This book defines the current state of the art in the general area of network design, and then turns to its applications to transportation and logistics. New research challenges are addressed. Network Design with Applications to Transportation and Logistics is divided into three parts. Part I examines basic design problems including fixed-cost network design and parallel algorithms. After addressing the basics, Part II focuses on more advanced models. Chapters cover topics such as multi-facility network design, flow-constrained network design, and robust network design. Finally Part III is dedicated entirely to the potential application areas for network design. These areas range from rail networks, to city logistics, to energy transport. All of the chapters are written by leading researchers in the field, which should appeal to analysts and planners.

Primarily intended for postgraduate students of management and computer applications, this book presents the theory and applications of operations research in an easy-to-read style. It introduces the readers to various models of operations research, such as transportation model, assignment model, inventory model, queuing model, replacement model, sequencing model, and integer programming model. The various methods to solve real-life problems faced by managers are also fully analyzed. Separate chapters are devoted to Linear Programming, Decision Theory, Game Theory, Dynamic Programming, and Project Management, which greatly help the decision-making process. The text features numerous fully worked-out examples, a fairly large number of exercises, and end-of-chapter theoretical questions which enhance the value of the text. Besides postgraduate students of management (MBA), computer applications (MCA), commerce, mathematics, and statistics, students of engineering will also find this text extremely useful.

Every one relies on some kind of transportation system nearly every day. Go ing to work, shopping, dropping children at school and many other cultural or social activities imply leaving home, and using some form of transportation, which we expect tobe eflicient and reliable. Of course, efliciency and reliabil ity do not occur by chance, but require careful and often relatively complex planning by transportation system managers, both in the public and private sectors. It has long been recognized that mathematics, and, more specifically, op erations research is an important tool of this planning process. However, the range of skills required to cover both fields, even partially, is very large, and the opportunities to gather people with this very diverse expertise are too few. The organization of the NATO Advanced Studies Institute on "Opera tions Research and Decision Aid Methodologies in Traflic and Transportation Management" in March 1997 in Balatonfüred, Hungary, was therefore more than welcome and the group of people that gathered for a very studious two weeks on the shores of the beautiful lake Balaton did really enjoy the truly multidisciplinary and high scientific level of the meeting. The purpose of the present volume is to report, in a chronological order, the various questions that were considered by the lecturers and the' students at the institute. After a general introduction to the topic, the first week focused on issues related to traflic modeling, mostly in an urban context.

This is the first book to offer a complete spectrum of the role that operations research has played and can play in the improvement of North American freight railroads. It explores how decisions are made at railroads, contains examples of the mathematical programming formulations to the complex problems, and provides insights into real-world applications. The handbook is divided into eleven chapters, covering topics including scheduling problems, empty railcar distribution, and intermodal rail. These topics have been specifically selected to offer a thorough examination of the application of operations research at freight railroads. The chapters are written by recognized award-winning scholars and practitioners with a deep knowledge and understanding of their specific topics. The Handbook of Operations Research Applications at Railroads is an ideal resource for academics, experienced researchers, and consultants in the field.