What Is Operations Research Essay -- essays research papers

This is an Engineering Research Paper.What is operations research? Operations research is the application of the methods of science to complex problems arising in the management and management of large systems of men, machines material, and money in industry, business, government and defense. The distinctive approach is to develop a scientific model of the system, incorporating measurements of factors such as chance and risk, with which to forestall and compare the outcomes of alternative decisions, strategies or controls. The purpose is to help management determine its policy and actions scientifically. (Ravindran, Phillips and Solberg 1987). How does operations research apply to highway systems inefficiency? Lets visualize outAutomakers dont build roads and governments dont build autos, yet we expect cars and roads to mesh together seamlessly to form a transportation network. For years automakers and regional transportation planners have been working to put information age techn ology to work solving craft problems. tout ensemble over the world people are choosing to travel by automobile because this flexible mode of travel best meets their needs. But grid locked expressways threaten to collect the mobile out of automobile. This presentation will try to show reasons why our expressways are so congested, what the Federal Highway Administration proposals are to alleviate over-crowding and the advantages and disadvantages of these proposals under review.Firstly what are some of the causes of urban highway congestion? Rush hour traffic is one of the leading contributors of highway congestion. It isnt our imagination. both year commute generation to work take longer and longer. Since 1986 car travel has increased almost 40%, while highway capacity has barley grown. As a result most major interstate routes in Metropolitan areas are jammed during rush hours. Grid locked cost Americans almost the like of $51 billion a year in lost wages and wasted fuel. And the situation is only going to get worse. (Steisand, Betsy. 1996). What causes rush hour traffic? Simply put, at specific times of the day be it in the morning or evening motorists in general are either on their way to work or home. There is such a glut of vehicles on the expressways at this time. They all need to get to their destinations at peak times of the day. It is a simple equation Too many cars incorp... ...napp. Crains Chicago Business. , v 22 no2 (Jan. 11 99) p. 13.(4)Moving forward smartly The role of ITS in the NEXTEA by Jeff, Lindley. Public Roads. , Wntr 1997, v60 n3 p57(4).(5)Message in a bottleneck Its time to start charging rush hour commuters by Betsy, Steisand. U.S News and World incubate Dec 30 1996, v121, n26, p47(2).(6)Fighting road rage by William B. Cassidy. Traffic World,v. 251 (Aug. 11 97) p. 31.(7)For Florida a second chance by William C. Vantuono. Railway Age. , v. 196 (Apr. 95) p. 59-60.(8)Actual inactive steering- and other wonders of the modern worl d by Bob, Bryant. Public Roads Nov-Dec 1997, v61, n3, p32(6).(9)91 Express ways do not work well by Mackprang, dickhead and Harry, Parker. American City and County. , v. 114 no12 (Oct. 1999)p. 6.(10)Operational models and traffic control in intelligent vehicle systems by Zhang, L. Transportation Research PartA Policy and Practice (Jan 1997), v31, n1, p64.