Evasive Flow Capturing Problem: Optimal Allocation of Weigh-in-Motion Stations, Tollbooths, and Security Checkpoints

本研究项目的目标是引入一个新的流量捕获框架，即“规避流量捕获问题”（EFCP），并开发数学解决技术来优化目标驾驶员希望避开的设施位置。流量捕获问题包括定位设施，以便最大限度地使用户在其预定的旅行路径上至少遇到这些设施中的一个。解决该问题的现有模型通常假设，如果设施位于（或相对接近）预定路径，则认为捕获了沿着该路径的运输流。然而，在定位司机试图避开的设施时，这种假设是站不住脚的，例如用于拦截违规者、逃费者、入侵者或危险货物的设施。该项目的方法将应用于实际案例研究，以优化定位卡车称重执法设施以及安全检查站。如果这项研究成功，预计将改善目前交通机构在定位负重设施方面的做法，这些做法通常包括简单地优先考虑受损最严重的道路。该方法可以加快公共机关的决策过程，并提供大大减少道路维护费用、环境破坏、商用车辆超重事故费用的解决方案。安全检查点的最佳位置方法可以大大改善国土安全和运输危险物质的风险。拟议工作的计算机执行（例如解决技术代码和输入数据）将在网上提供，以供今后推广，并将用于为妇女和代表性不足的少数群体服务的研究生优化课程。制定的方法和结果也将通过技术会议、期刊论文和向运输机构的报告传播。

The goal of this research project is to introduce a new flow capturing framework, "Evasive Flow Capturing Problem" (EFCP), and develop mathematical solution techniques for optimizing locations of facilities that targeted drivers wish to avoid. The flow capturing problem consists of locating facilities in order to maximize the number of users who should encounter at least one of these facilities along their predetermined travel paths. Existing models for solving this problem commonly assume that if a facility is located along (or relatively close to) a predetermined path, the transportation flow along this path is considered captured. However, this assumption is untenable when locating facilities that drivers try to avoid, such as facilities used to intercept violators, toll evaders, intruders or hazardous cargoes. The project's methods will be applied in realistic case studies for optimally locating truck weight enforcement facilities as well as security and safety checkpoints.If successful, this research is expected to improve current practices of transportation agencies in locating weight-enforcing facilities, which often consist of simply prioritizing the most damaged roads. The methods for locating weight-enforcing facilities could speed up decision making processes of public agencies and provide solutions that greatly reduce 1) road maintenance costs, 2) environmental damage and 3) accident costs due to overweight commercial vehicles. The methods for optimal location of security and safety checkpoints could considerably improve homeland security and the risks of transporting hazardous materials. The computer implementations of the proposed work (e.g. codes for the solution techniques and input data) will be made available online for future extensions and will be used in graduate optimization courses that serve women and under-represented minorities. The developed methods and results will also be disseminated through technical conferences, journal papers, and presentations to transportation agencies.