Edulog.nt Run Optimization

1. Edulog.nt Run Optimization Using Simulation & Optimization to Develop More Efficient Bus Runs

2. Objectives For This Session • Explain concepts of: Simulation & Optimization • Practice the use of: Simulation & Optimization Run Optimization 2008

3. Simulation Concept in Edulog.nt • Using the simulation feature is a way to make run and route changes in your system in “practice” mode • You can try any new routing scenario from a simple change to a complicated revision without worrying about affecting your real data Run Optimization 2008

4. NOTE • All manual references refer to the: • 2007 TIMS/Edulognt User Manual • This manual has been furnished to on CD and may also be downloaded by following these directions: • WWW.NCBUSSAFETY.ORG • TIMS – School Bus Routing • Documentation Run Optimization 2008

5. Simulation in Edulog.nt • Changes you make in simulation only affect the dataset that you are working in. DYN Confirm Simulation Simulation Data What IF Data Run Optimization 2008

6. Multiple Simulations! • Edulog.nt allows you to work with multiple simulation “savesets” Essentially, you can save any simulation under whatever name you choose and come back to it later to continue working Run Optimization 2008

7. Simulation in Edulog.nt DYN • Multiple scenarios can exist in Simulation. • Savesets can be confirmed or saved under different names for future use.. • All changes in a simulation may be manual. Saveset 3 Confirm Simulation Saveset 2 In Saveset 3 Saveset 1 SIM Regular Data Simulation Data sets Run Optimization 2008

8. What Is Run Opt? Run Optimization is a ‘Component’ of simulation that helps you create a new set of bus runs from an existing set of stops Run Optimization 2008

9. Simulation in Edulog.nt Database – Live, WI, SS,Fall, etc. EdulogNT Simulation – Select Stops/Runs Optmization-Create New Runs Run Optimization 2008

10. Simulation in Edulog.nt Optmization Create new Runs then Save Active Saveset EdulogNT Simulation Modify then Save Active Saveset Database – Live, WI, SS,Fall, etc. Run Optimization 2008

11. Sim/Opt Simulation allows experiments with run and route changes. • These can be all manual changes, or changes generated by optimization. • You can decide whether to confirm to your regular data, save it as a saveset, or discard. • Run and Route Optimization are only available through Simulation. Run Optimization 2008

12. Optimization Data in Edulog.nt Simulation • Optimization scenarios can be written to various Simulation Savesets • Optimization becomes just another tool available when creating simulations DYN Saveset 3 Saveset 2 Confirm Simulation Saveset 1 OPT Regular Data Optimization Run Optimization 2008

13. Multiple Optimization Savesets Just like Simulation, Optimization has multiple Savesets. Run Optimization 2008

14. Optimization Data in Edulog.nt Simulation DYN Since you get to Optimization thru Simulation, saving your opt solution to sim puts it in the active simulation. Saveset 3 Saveset 2 Confirm Simulation Saveset 1 “Active” OPT Regular Data Optimization Run Optimization 2008

15. Improvements • One set of tools for manipulating Runs and Routes are used in Simulation and Regular Data. • Optimization functions are limited to the creation of new “starting points” --- all the other tools used for cleanup and refinement are the same as those used elsewhere in the system. Run Optimization 2008

16. Back Up Your Data! • The number of savesets and locations of SIM and OPT data can be confusing • Back up first in case you confirm something into your regular data by mistake! Run Optimization 2008

17. Back Up Your Data! Back Up Your Data! Back Up Your Data! Back Up Your Data! Back Up Your Data! Back Up Your Data! Back Up Your Data! Back Up Your Data! Back Up Your Data! Run Optimization 2008

18. Steps In Run Optimization • Load the data and define the problem • Use Run Opt to create a new set of runs • Evaluate • Make Manual Changes • Confirm the runs back to your real data Run Optimization 2008

19. Example of How Sim/Opt is Used • You want to “clean up” runs for several schools in the western part of the district by reducing stops, eliminating crossing routes, and possibly reducing the number of buses needed…. Run Optimization 2008

20. Using Sim/Opt • Go into Simulation and load the stops and runs you want to work with. • Make manual changes to clean up runs that aren’t too bad. • Go into Optimization and try to reduce the number of buses used in one school from 6 to 5. Run Optimization 2008

21. Using Sim/Opt • You think you have the runs in good shape for the school, but you want to go over the solution with someone at the school before you confirm them to your data…. • So, you save the first Opt solution under the school’s name and start a new Opt solution for the next school Run Optimization 2008

22. Using Sim/Opt • Once you review your Opt solutions you confirm each one to your Simulation • Now, You can review your Simulation and make any additional changes before you confirm the whole thing to your regular data Run Optimization 2008

23. Using Sim/Opt Simulation DYN • Optimization may or may not be used once you are in Simulation • If you do use OPT, you confirm OPT to SIM, then SIM to regular data Saveset 3 Saveset 2 Confirm Simulation To Regular Data Saveset 1 “Active” Regular Data Confirm one Or more OPT Scenarios to Simulation 1 2 3 Optimization Optimization Run Optimization 2008

24. Entering Simulation • The yellow “S” takes you into the Simulation • Only after you enter Simulation can you proceed with Run Optimization B Run Optimization 2008

25. Run Optimization Step 1 – Defining the ProblemLoad the Data Define the ProblemStep 2 – Creating the Initial RunsStep 3 – Evaluating the RunsStep 4 – Making Manual ModificationsStep 5 – Confirming the Solution

26. Entering Optimization • Optimization Steps – Loading Data • When to load data? • You can only work with data loaded properly into your Simulation Run Optimization 2008

27. Run OPT Problem Definition The first screen you will see asks you to decide basic questions about your Run OPT session. • AM or PM • Assigned Load or Head Count • Deadhead Mode Run Optimization 2008

28. Run OPT Problem Definition • Next, you will determine which of your loaded schools will be included in this problem • Click the Add button to add your selections to the stops to use Run Optimization 2008

29. Run OPT Problem Definition • If you are working with more than one school, you would select it from the pull down, and add it as well • The second school would then appear in the right window Run Optimization 2008

30. Loading Data • Load School Stops! • Run Optimization won’t function until at least one school stop has been loaded (i.e. 304.000). • If you only load cluster stops, you will have to manually load schools before you can use Opt. • Load Stops • Load the set of stops you want to work with from a worklist, range, or individually by stop number. Run Optimization 2008

31. Selecting Stops • You must select stops before you can proceed • You can do this by selecting the top stop and scrolling down to the bottom of the window and holding <shift> down while selecting the last stop Run Optimization 2008

32. Selecting Stops via the Map • Selecting on Map Operations brings up a different “Stops to Use” window • This allows you to pick stops by Point or Polygon with options for Adding or Removing stops • Click Return when you have finished selecting stops Run Optimization 2008

33. Finishing Problem Definition Note the number of stops and load selected before selecting OK Run Optimization 2008

34. Run Optimization Step 1 – Defining the Run Optimization ProblemStep 2 – Creating the Initial RunsUse Run Opt to Create a New Set of Runs Step 3 – Evaluating the RunsStep 4 – Making Manual ModificationsStep 5 – Confirming the Solution

35. Global Moves Select the number of buses and capacity • Click on Add • You can enter several different sets of buses/capacities before clicking OK • Buses/capacities will appear in the right window Run Optimization 2008

36. Global Moves • ‘Remove’ option on this page ONLY refers to a run displayed and highlighted in the Right window. Once you click OK, you cannot edit these buses from here, you can only add additional buses More about editing, changing, deleting, etc. later. Run Optimization 2008

37. Runs Runs are now available to work with Run Optimization 2008

38. Run Optimization Step 1 – Defining the Run Optimization ProblemStep 2 – Creating the Initial RunsStep 3 – Evaluating the Runs Step 4 – Making Manual ModificationsStep 5 – Confirming the Solution

39. Checking Runs • Runs > Open Run Summary shows you stats about one run at a time • Check each run by selecting the mouse and clicking on the run on the map, or select the run ID from the pull down menu Run Optimization 2008

40. Checking Runs Bet ya couldn’t find it!!! Gotta Look Closely!!! Run Optimization 2008

41. Improving Runs • Use the Improve Runs function under Global Moves until no moves are made. • Runs shown have been through 3 sets of the improve function. Run Optimization 2008

42. Run Optimization Step 1 – Defining the Run Optimization Problem Step 2 – Creating the Initial RunsStep 3 – Evaluating the RunsStep 4 – Making Manual ModificationsStep 5 – Confirming the Solution

43. Runs Changing/editing the number of buses and capacity You may ADD additional buses by returning to GLOBAL MOVES>Run Generation Note that the runs you previously entered are STILL active. The ones that you select now will be ADDED to these. Run Optimization 2008

44. Runs Changing/editing the number of buses and capacity • You may delete buses(runs) in your senario by going to RUNS>Delete • It will list all of the Current runs, highlight the ones that you want to delete or click on the mouse and point to the runs to delete and click on ‘Delete’ Note: You do NOT lose the stops, they are put ‘back-in-play’ Run Optimization 2008

45. Runs Changing/editing the number of buses and capacity • You may edit the existing runs in your senario by going to RUNS>CapTime • It will list all of the Current runs, highlight one and select ‘Edit’ Run Optimization 2008

46. Runs Changing/editing the number of buses and capacity RUNS>Purge Will delete any runs that have no stops. If you over-estimate the number of buses needed, this will take away the extras. Run Optimization 2008

47. Making Edits to Your RUNOPT Runs Stops > Deassign allows you to remove several stops at once. Run Optimization 2008

48. Inserting Stops On New Runs • Inserting stops within run OPT is not very refined at this time • Once you insert, you can run “improve runs” to make better sequences Run Optimization 2008

49. Making Edits • Tools are limited in Run OPT for these kinds of edits, however, the basic assign and deassign options in OPT are great for doing basic run cleanup Note: Run Opt only allows individual stop assign/deassign. Use SIMULATION to have the Polygon Feature available. Run Optimization 2008

50. Saving OPT Runs to Simulation • Saving runs back to simulation will allow you to make edits easily • Once you do this, you must confirm your changes from the first session of run OPT to a file or your data before you can re-enter run OPT Run Optimization 2008