Introduction: 2021 Daniel H. Wagner Prize for Excellence in the Practice of Advanced Analytics and Operations Research

Abstract

The judges for the 2021 Daniel H. Wagner Prize for Excellence in the Practice of Advanced Analytics and Operations Research selected the five finalist papers featured in this special issue of the INFORMS Journal on Applied Analytics. The prestigious Wagner Prize—awarded for achievement in implemented operations research, management science, and advanced analytics—emphasizes the quality and originality of mathematical models along with clarity of written and oral exposition. This year’s winning application describes the design and deployment of Eva, the Greek COVID-19 testing system used as Greece was opening up for tourism in 2020. The remaining four papers describe the stochastic modeling and mixed-integer programming system used to optimize the Atlanta police patrol zones for better police balance and reduced response time to emergency calls; Lyft’s new priority dispatch system, which solves the ride-sharing productivity paradox whereby increases in efficiency do not benefit the drivers; the application of advanced analytics to assist local and federal law enforcement organizations in their efforts to disrupt sex-trafficking networks; and the development of a new after-sales service concept, which increases chip availability for ASML’s customers.