Port-of-entry safety via the reliability optimization of container inspection strategy through an evolutionary approach

Ramírez-Márquez, José Emmanuel

doi:10.1016/j.ress.2008.01.003

Cited by 52 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…PSDA has been proven to provide high-quality solutions for optimization problems as diverse as network interdiction [56], reliability allocation [57], container inspection [58], and ad hoc wireless networking [59] to name a few. For finding solutions to the nonlinear integer optimization problem presented in the model SRL m ax , PSDA generates solutions to the model SRL m ax through the probabilistic generation of potential TRL and IRL values (via Monte Carlo (MC) simulation), the analysis of these solutions (via the computation of its associated SRL, cost, and schedule), and the selection of new, potentially optimal TRL and IRL values (via an evolutionary technique).…”

Section: B Algorithm Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

System Development Planning via System Maturity Optimization

Ramírez-Márquez

Sauser

2009

IEEE Trans. Eng. Manage.

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Abstract-Many U.S. government agencies and their contractors have subscribed to using the prescriptive metric of technology readiness level (TRL) as a measure of maturity of an individual technology, with a view toward operational use in a system context. A comprehensive set of concerns becomes relevant when this metric is abstracted from an individual technology to a system context, which may involve interplay among multiple technologies that are integrated through a system development life cycle. This paper proposes a system-focused approach for managing system development and making effective and efficient decisions during this life cycle. A system readiness level (SRL) index that incorporates both the current TRL scale and the concept of an integration readiness level is presented with methods for determining current and future readiness of a system. Using techniques in evolutionary algorithms, the SRL index is optimized based on resource allocation to provide a decision support approach that enhances managerial capabilities in the system's development life cycle. The optimization model for the SRL is then executed with a case example and resource constraints of 75%, 60%, 45%, 30%, and 15% to demonstrate how it can be used to make strategic planning decisions in the system's development life cycle. Index Terms-Integration readiness level, project monitoring and control, project planning, system readiness level, technology management, technology readiness level.

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Section: B Algorithm Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

System Development Planning via System Maturity Optimization

Ramírez-Márquez

Sauser

2009

IEEE Trans. Eng. Manage.

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“…Boros et al [3] summarize a portion of this literature and RamirezMarquez [25] gives a more extensive survey of the literature. Dahlman et al [9] provides an overview of the container security problem and present an outline of a potential comprehensive multilateral agreement on the use of containers in international trade.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In related research, Concho and Ramirez-Marquez [9], [25] have used evolutionary algorithms to optimize a decision tree formulation of the inspection process. Their approach was based on the assumption that readings r j by the jth sensor are normally distributed, with a different distribution depending on whether the container in question is "bad" or "good."…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficient sequential decision-making algorithms for container inspection operations

Madigan

Mittal

Roberts

2011

Naval Research Logistics

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Following work of Stroud and Saeger [26] and Anand et al.[1], we formulate a port of entry inspection sequencing task as a problem of finding an optimal binary decision tree for an appropriate Boolean decision function. We report on new algorithms for finding such optimal trees that are more efficient computationally than those presented by Stroud and Saeger and Anand et al.We achieve these efficiencies through a combination of specific numerical methods for finding optimal thresholds for sensor functions and two novel binary decision tree search algorithms that operate on a space of potentially acceptable binary decision trees. The improvements enable us to analyze substantially larger applications than was previously possible.

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“…Ramirez-Marquez (2008) proposes inspection strategies of cargo containers that minimize costs of inspection at ports using decision trees. The strategies involve selecting different sensors that have varying reliability and associated costs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, an algorithm for efficiently determining an optimal solution is included. Note that Ramirez-Marquez (2008) assume that various sensors screen containers in a selected order, whereas order is not a factor in CRKP. Moffitt et al (2005) develop a model using information gap decision making to determine how to inspect a number of targets to shed light on robust decisions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interdicting nuclear material on cargo containers using knapsack problem models

2009

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This paper introduces a framework for screening cargo containers for nuclear material at security stations throughout the United States using knapsack problem, reliability, and Bayesian probability models. The approach investigates how to define a system alarm given a set of screening devices, and hence, designs and analyzes next-generation security system architectures. Containers that yield a system alarm undergo secondary screening, where more effective and intrusive screening devices are used to further examine containers for nuclear and radiological material. It is assumed that there is a budget for performing secondary screening on containers that yield a system alarm. This paper explores the relationships and tradeoffs between prescreening, secondary screening costs, and the efficacy of radiation detectors. The key contribution of this analysis is that it provides a risk-based framework for determining how to define a system alarm for screening cargo containers given limited screening resources. The analysis suggests that highly accurate prescreening is the most important factor for effective screening, particularly when screening tests are highly dependent, and that moderately accurate prescreening may not be an improvement over treating all cargo containers the same. Moreover, it suggests that screening tests with high true alarm rates may mitigate some of the risk associated with low prescreening intelligence.

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Port-of-entry safety via the reliability optimization of container inspection strategy through an evolutionary approach

Cited by 52 publications

References 8 publications

System Development Planning via System Maturity Optimization

System Development Planning via System Maturity Optimization

Efficient sequential decision-making algorithms for container inspection operations

Interdicting nuclear material on cargo containers using knapsack problem models

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