Multicriteria search with multiple searchers in uncertain environments

搜救（SAR）是最伟大的人道主义活动之一。它包括对处于或担心处于遇险或迫在眉睫危险中的人员、船舶或其他船只进行搜寻和提供援助。搜救的目标是在搜救事件中定位和营救幸存者。搜索计划是一个特别重要的阶段，尤其是在事故地点不明的情况下。搜索规划可以看作是对可用搜索资源的最优分配。在这个项目中，我们建议进行研究，以开发算法在多标准环境下的多搜索者问题。目标是在合理的时间内为在开阔和广阔的空间进行的搜索产生接近最佳的操作可行计划。我们将特别关注探测能力的不确定性、假警报的可能性、假目标的存在以及可见性参数的不确定性。我们将使用的数学框架包括约束规划、随机过程、多准则数学规划、元启发式、地理地形分析和模拟模型。我们的长期目标是利用这项研究成果与其他研究资金来源开发一个地理决策支持系统原型，该系统实现基于地形约束、物理约束、时间约束、探测能力、可用资源类型等的多标准评估和优化算法，并考虑到与SAR任务相关的各种不确定性。这是我们过去和现在在搜救计划和决策支持方面的研究的延续。总的来说，潜在的好处是对SAR组织，特别是对加拿大公众。在实际操作中，我们的研究可能会增加找到幸存者的机会，从而挽救更多的生命。另一个好处是可能降低运营成本。

Search and Rescue (SAR) is one of the greatest humanitarian activities. It comprises the search for, and provision of aid to, persons, ships or other craft which are, or are feared to be, in distress or imminent danger. The objective of SAR is to locate and rescue survivors involved in a SAR incident. Search planning is a particularly important phase, especially when the location of the incident is unknown. Search planning may be seen as the optimal allocation of the available search resources. In this project, we propose to conduct research to develop algorithms for the multiple searchers problem in a multi-criteria context. The objective is to generate, in a reasonable time, near optimal operationally feasible plans for searches conducted in open and vast spaces. We will pay particular attention to uncertainty in detection capabilities, possibility of false alarms, presence of false targets and uncertainty on visibility parameters. The mathematical framework that we will use includes constraint programming, stochastic processes, multi-criteria mathematical programming, meta-heuristics, geographic terrain analysis, and simulation models. Our long term goal is to leverage this research effort with other research funding sources to develop a geographic decision support system prototype that implements multi-criteria evaluation and optimization algorithms based on terrain constraints, physical constraints, time constraints, detection capabilities, type of resources available, etc., and that takes into account the various uncertainties associated with SAR missions. This is in continuance with our past and current research in the area of search planning and decision support for Search and Rescue. The potential benefits are for the SAR organization in general, and for the Canadian public in particular. In an operational context, our research may translate into an increase in the chances of finding survivors, resulting in more saved lives. Another benefit is a potential decrease in the operations costs.