Research in reinforcement learning (RL) has thus far concentrated on two optimality criteria: the discounted framework, which has been very well-studied, and the average-reward framework, in which interest is rapidly increasing. In this paper, we present a framework called sensitive discount optimality which ooers an elegant way of linking these two paradigms. Although sensitive discount optima...

This paper presents a development of an improved genetic algorithm (IGA) and its application to a least-cost generation expansion planning (GEP) problem. Least-cost GEP problem is concerned with a highly constrained nonlinear dynamic optimization problem that can only be fully solved by complete enumeration, a process which is computationally impossible in a real-world GEP problem. In this pape...

Generation Expansion Planning (GEP) is one of the most important decision-making activities in electric utilities. Least-cost GEP is to determine the minimum-cost capacity addition plan (i.e., the type and number of candidate plants) that meets forecasted demand within a pre specified reliability criterion over a planning horizon. In this paper, Differential Evolution (DE), and Oppositionbased ...

Planning optimal paths for large numbers of robots is computationally expensive. In this thesis, we present a new framework for multirobot path planning called subdimensional expansion, which initially plans for each robot individually, and then coordinates motion among the robots as needed. More specifically, subdimensional expansion initially creates a one-dimensional search space embedded in...

This report documents the development of several transportation optimization models under uncertainty. First, a robust evacuation transportation planning model for freeway traffic systems was developed, in which demand is uncertain. The study results provide preliminary evidence that routing traffic using such a robust, optimization-based model can improve the average objective performance. Nex...