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Hierarchical Multi-agent Distribution Planning
Tony Allard and Slava Shekh
Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence Division, Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Adelaide, Australiatony.allard@dsto.defence.gov.au
slava.shekh@dsto.defence.gov.au
Abstract. Logistics and distribution planning are an important element of military operational planning. The vast level of detail available during planning increases the difficulty in forming a complete solution within time constraints. Moreover, the consideration of multiple planning scenarios is paramount to successfully investigate all available contingencies. This paper presents a hierarchical multi-agent approach to distribution planning. The use of a multi-agent system enables a distribution problem to be logically separated, with each part being delegated to an independent agent. The application of hierarchy allows agent communication to be regulated, reducing redundancy in communication, as encountered in a flat multi-agent structure. Through multiple trials, it was found that the application of hierarchy vastly improved the computational performance of the system, without compromise to solution quality.
Keywords: distribution planning, multi-agent systems, agent hierarchy
LNAI 7691, p. 755 ff.
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© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012