Using Genetic Algorithms to Evaluate Aircraft Ground Holding Policy Under Static Conditions

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2001

Publication Title

Journal of Transportation Engineering

Volume

127

Issue

5

First page number:

433

Last page number:

441

Abstract

The U.S. airline industry is facing delays due to congestion problems in the air transportation network. These delays not only lead to increased costs, but they also have safety related implications. Some of the costs related to such delays could be minimized by holding aircraft on the ground at the originating airport when congestion-related delays are expected en route or at the destination airport. Aside from reducing operating costs, the ground holding policy (GHP) also has beneficial implications on some safety concerns, since it is generally felt that it is better to hold an aircraft on the ground than in the air. The GHP is formulated as an integer programming problem and solved using heuristic techniques. However, the presence of discrete and binary integer variables increases the complexity involved when solved using traditional algorithms. Genetic algorithms (GAs) offer a powerful alternative for efficiently solving such problems. A GA is a search and optimization technique based on natural genetics and selection. This paper presents a discussion of GAs and their applicability to evaluating the GHP. Specific examples are presented to illustrate such applications. Results obtained from the test problems are consistent with expectations, indicating that GA can be used as a solution technique. It is observed that the program run time was reasonably low.

Keywords

Airlines; Airlines--Cost of operation; Airlines—Management; Airlines--Safety measures; Airports; Airports--Traffic control; Genetic algorithms

Disciplines

Applied Mathematics | Civil and Environmental Engineering | Construction Engineering and Management | Dynamic Systems | Structural Engineering

Language

English

Permissions

Use Find in Your Library, contact the author, or interlibrary loan to garner a copy of the item. Publisher policy does not allow archiving the final published version. If a post-print (author's peer-reviewed manuscript) is allowed and available, or publisher policy changes, the item will be deposited.

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