Integrated Optimization and Multi-Agent Technology for Combined Production and Transportation Planning

Abstract

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.