Using artificial neural networks for transport decisions : managerial guidelines

Abstract

One information technology that may be considered by transportation managers, and which is included in the portfolio of technologies that encompass TMS. is artificial neural networks (ANNs). These artificially intelligent computer decision support software provide solutions by finding and recognizing complex patterns in data. ANNs have been used successfully by transportation managers to forecast transportation demand, estimate future transport costs, schedule vehicles and shipments, route vehicles and classify earners for selection. Artificial neural networks excel in transportation decision environments that are dynamic, complex and unstructured. This article introduces ANNs to transport managers by describing ANN technological capabilities, reporting the current status of transportation neural network applications, presenting ANN applications that offer significant potential for future development and offering managerial guidelines for ANN development.