This PhD project will address problems of deployment and real-time scheduling of patrol vehicles that have to service breakdowns. The main goal of the project will be to use operational research techniques to design algorithms that are effective in dealing with problems with about 2500 patrol vehicles across the UK.
Specific objectives are:
(a) finding the optimal number and locations of new patrol stations (if any) to be established under the uncertainty of the breakdown locations;
(b) determining the number of patrol vehicles to be deployed at each (existing or new) station; and
(c) online scheduling of the patrol vehicles to service the incoming requests for assistance within a target response time (where possible), and with an overall objective of minimizing the total operation costs.
A simulation model will also be developed to evaluate the performance of the algorithms that are developed.
The student will be based in the Operational Research Group in Mathematical Sciences at the University of Southampton. The project will run in collaboration with the AA (Automobile Association), which is based in Basingstoke. Consequently, the student will spend some time in the AA offices observing the processes, collecting data, liaising with staff, and eventually communicating the results. The project will be jointly supervised by Prof. Chris Potts and Prof. Tolga Bektas.
Applicants should have completed, or expect to complete before November 2013, a Bachelor’s degree in Operational Research, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related area with at least an upper second class classification (or the equivalent), and preferably a Master’s degree. The deadline for applications is 14 October 2013, and the latest start date for the PhD project is 1 December 2013.
The studentship will cover tuition fees at the UK/EU level and a stipend of approximately £13,500. Both UK/EU students and international students are encouraged to apply.
Further information is available by contacting Chris Potts ([log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]><mailto:[log in to unmask]><mailto:[log in to unmask]>). Online applications can be made from link on the website:
http://www.southampton.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgstudy/howdoiapplypg.html
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