Markov decision process approach for multiple objective hazardous material transportation route selection problem
by Gino J. Lim, Sumeet S. Desai
International Journal of Operational Research (IJOR), Vol. 7, No. 4, 2010

Abstract: We consider a route selection problem for hazardous materials (hazmats) transportation. The objective is to select the route that minimises the consequence (cost or population) of undesirable events. We propose a Markov decision process (MDP) approach for solving this problem. First, an MDP model with single objective is described and the existence of an optimal policy for hazmat route selection problem is presented. Later, a generalised framework is presented for solving this problem with multiple objectives. We introduce a methodology to estimate the input parameter for the MDP models using the incident data and variables found in the Department of Transportation website. Finally, numerical examples are discussed for the parameter estimation and the multiple objective MDP model using a test network.

Online publication date: Fri, 02-Apr-2010

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Operational Research (IJOR):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com