A.I.S.E. : a hybrid scheduling system

Abstract

A.I.S.E. (Advanced Interactive Scheduling Environment) is an interactive computer system designed to schedule efficiently a fleet of vehicles accordingly to a set of requests made in advance or at the last minute. The system consists of both an electronic drawing-board with which the schedule can be manipulated visually, and a support algorithm that helps the user to build the schedule efficiently. This thesis begins by discussing-the evolution that lead to the design of the A.I.S.E. planning tool together with the environment in which A.I.S.E. will be used. It then gives a general analysis of the support algorithm used in A.I.S.E.. The analysis describes the "insertion heuristic" that is being used, and shows how it can generate an efficient schedule from a list of requests, or insert an individual request into an already existing schedule with minimum disruptions. Since the heuristic was initially designed to solve the "Dial-a-Ride" problem, necessary modifications are also reviewed. The various aspects of the schedule electronic drawing-board are then presented. The description is based on the version of A.I.S.E. that will be delivered to the U.S. Air Force Operational Support Airlift. Graphics displays are reviewed; the links between the support heuristic and the graphic interface are analysed. This presentation is followed by a review of other areas in which such a scheduling tool can be used.