In this paper stochastic dynamic systems are studied, modeled by a countable state space Markov cost/reward chain, satisfying a Lyapunov-type stability condition. For an infinite planning horizon, risk-sensitive (exponential) discounted and average cost criteria are considered. The main contribution is the development of a vanishing discount approach to relate the discounted criterion problem w...

In this paper, we study the fixed charge transportation problem with uncertain variables. The fixed charge transportation problem has two kinds of costs: direct cost and fixed charge. The direct cost is the cost associated with each source-destination pair, and the fixed charge occurs when the transportation activity takes place in the corresponding source-destination pair. The uncertain fixed ...

In Markov Decision Processes, the discount function determines how much the reward for each point in time adds to the value of the process, and thus deeply a ects the optimal policy. Two cases of discount functions are well known and analyzed. The rst is no discounting at all, which correspond to the totaland average-reward criteria. The second case is a constant discount rate, which leads to a...

This study defines a methodology to compute unitary costs for freight transportation modes. The main objective was to gather relevant costs data to support the formulation and evaluation of railway, road, pipelines and port projects. This article will concentrate on the following steps: Compilation and analysis of relevant modal cost studies, Methodological adjustments to make cost figures comp...

In this paper, we demonstrate how to capture the robustness of a transportation network in the case of degradable links represented by decreasing capacities. In particular, with the use of Bureau of Public Road user link travel cost functions, we propose two relative total cost indices to assess transportation network robustness in the case of travel behavior associated with either user-optimiz...

In this study, the effect of a temporary price discount for a larger order than the regular order offered by the supplier on the retailer’s ordering policy is studied. The demand is assumed to be stock-dependent. The units in inventory deteriorate at a constant rate. This study will help the retailer to take the decision whether to adopt a regular or special order policy. The optimum special qu...

in children. although its burden is considerably preventable by vaccine, routine vaccination against hib has not been defined in the national immunization program of iran. this study was performed to assess the cost-benefit and cost‑utility of running an hib vaccination program in iran. methods: based on a previous systematic review and meta‑analysis for vaccine efficacy, we estimated the avert...

We investigate the existance of simple policies in finite discounted cost Markov Decision Processes, when the discount factor is not constant. We introduce a class called “exponentially representable” discount functions. Within this class we prove existence of optimal policies which are eventually stationary—from some time N onward, and provide an algorithm for their computation. Outside this c...

The social cost of carbon is an estimate of the benefit of reducing CO2 emissions by one ton today. As such it is a key input into cost-benefit analysis of climate policy and regulation. We provide a set of new estimates of the social cost of carbon from the integrated assessment model FUND 3.5 and present a regional and sectoral decomposition of our new estimate. China, Western Europe and the ...