Crew scheduling: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:02, 25 October 2010

Revision as of 16:06, 25 October 2010

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Most transportation systems use software to manage the crew scheduling process. Crew scheduling becomes more and more complex as you add variables to the problem. These variables can be as simple as 1 ___location, 1 skill requirement, 1 shift of work and 1 set roster of people. In the Transportation industries, such as Rail or mainly Air Travel, these variables become very complex. In Air Travel for instance, there are numerous rules or "constraints" that are introduced. These mainly deal with legalities relating to work shifts and time, and a crew members qualifications for working on a particular aircraft. Add numerous locations to the equation and Collective Bargaining and Federal labor laws and these become new considerations for the problem solving method. Fuel is alos a major consideration as aircrafts and other vehicles require a lot of costly fuel to operate. Finding the most efficient route and staffing it with properly qualified personnel is a critical financial consideration. The same applies to rail travel.<br><br>

The problem is computationally difficult and there are competing mathematical methods of solving the problem. TheAlthoug not easy to describe in one sentance, the goal is the essentailly same for any method of attacking the problem. Although not simple to describe, the problem : <br>
'''Within a set of constraints and rules, With a move a set roster of people with certain qualifications, from place to place with the least amount of personnel and aircraft or vehicles in the least amount of time.''' <br>

Lowest cost has traditionally been the major driver for any crew scheduling solution.<br>

Although not a "rule", We can describe at least 4 parts of the equation that are ingested by the computational process:

<li>People and their qualifications and abilities.