Title: A multi-agent design for sense and respond logistics simulation

Authors: Martin C. Lundell, Dianxiang Xu, Denver Tolliver, Kendall E. Nygard

Addresses: Department of Maths, Science, and Technology, University of Minnesota, Crookston Campus Crookston, MN 56716, USA. ' Department of Computer Science, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, USA. ' Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, USA. ' Department of Computer Science, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, USA

Abstract: Sense and Respond Logistics (SARL) is a highly flexible, agile, and adaptive methodology for managing logistics resources in a network-centric and information rich environment. Designing and developing the software for simulating a system with such complexity presents challenges that stem from the role of heterogeneous communication channels and decision choices that produce non-deterministic outcomes. We describe the use of multi-agent approaches for simulating SARL applications. We also argue for the use of formal methods and aspect-oriented techniques in the design of these simulations, to assist in supporting model validation and verification. Features of an aspect-oriented, multi-agent, architectural description languages are also presented as a mechanism for reasoning about cross-cutting concerns.

Keywords: sense and respond logistics; SARL; simulation; multi-agent systems; MAS; cross-cutting concerns; formal methods; agent-based systems; logistics management; resource management.

DOI: 10.1504/WRITR.2007.017098

World Review of Intermodal Transportation Research, 2007 Vol.1 No.4, pp.459 - 471

Published online: 12 Feb 2008 *

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