New Continuous Approximation Models for Passenger and Freight Transportation

The purpose of this project is to discover new continuous approximation models for modern logistical problems, such as last-mile delivery and the adoption of teleworking. The continuous approximation paradigm is a quantitative method for solving logistics problems in which one uses a small set of parameters to model a complex system, which results in a simple algebraic equation that is easier to manage than (for example) a large-scale optimization model. As a further benefit, one often obtains insights from these simpler formulations that help to determine what affects the outcome most significantly. Continuous approximation models have been used for over 60 years to study classical logistical problems, but modern logistical systems bring new levels of complexity that existing models do not address. This project combines tools from geospatial optimization, computational geometry, and geometric probability theory to formulate new models that will enable practitioners and policy-makers to solve these new problems, and most importantly, to identify what features are most impactful in their real-world use.

• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/67555
• Summary URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/67556
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  Pacific Southwest Region University Transportation Center

  University of Southern California
  Los Angeles, CA  United States  90089

  METRANS Transportation Consortium

  University of Southern California
  Los Angeles, CA  United States 

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Carlsson, John Gunnar
  • 0000-0001-5346-8529
• Publication Date: 2022-7-29

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: 39p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Approximation (Mathematics); Logistics; Routing
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01885141
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: PSR-21-22
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747109
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Jun 20 2023 10:05AM