Extensions of the Activity Chain Optimization Method

ABSTRACT

For the optimization of daily activity chains a novel method has been elaborated, where flexible demand points were introduced. Some activities are not necessarily fixed temporally and spatially, therefore they can be realized in different times or locations. By using flexible demand points, the method is capable of finding new combinations of activity chains and choosing the optimal set of activities. The optimization algorithm solves the TSP-TW (Traveling Salesman Problem – Time Window) problem with many flexible demand points, which resulted in high complexity and long processing times. Therefore, two extensions were developed to speed up the processes. A POI (Point Of Interest) search algorithm enabled to search demand points in advance and store them in an offline database. Furthermore GA (genetic algorithm) was applied and customized to realize lower optimization times. During the implementation, three different transportation modes were defined: car, public transport, and combined (public transport with car-sharing opportunity). The simulations were performed on arbitrarily chosen test networks using Matlab. Promising test results were obtained for all transportation modes with total travel time reduction of 10–15 percent. The application of the extended optimization method produced shorter activity chains and decreased total travel time for the users.

KEYWORDS:

• Activity chain
• optimization
• Traveling Salesman Problem
• flexible demand points
• genetic algorithm

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on Contributors

Domokos Esztergár-Kiss is an assistant lecturer in the Department of Transport Technology and Economics at Budapest University of Technology and Economics.

Zoltán Rózsa is a PhD student in the Department of Material Handling and Logistics Systems at Budapest University of Technology and Economics.

Tamás Tettamanti is a senior lecturer in the Department of Control for Transportation and Vehicle Systems at Budapest University of Technology and Economics.

ORCID

Domokos Esztergár-Kiss http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7424-4214

Zoltán Rózsa http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3699-6669

Tamás Tettamanti http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8934-3653