A branch-cut-and-price algorithm for the energy minimization vehicle routing problem

We study a variant of the capacitated vehicle routing problem where the cost over each arc is defined as the product of the arc length and the weight of the vehicle when it traverses that arc. We propose two new mixed integer linear programming formulations for the problem: an arc-load formulation and a set partitioning … Read more

Robust risk adjustment in health insurance

Risk adjustment is used to calibrate payments to health plans based on the relative health status of insured populations and helps keep the health insurance market competitive. Current risk adjustment models use parameter estimates obtained via regression and are thus subject to estimation error. This paper discusses the impact of parameter uncertainty on risk scoring, … Read more

A hybrid Lagrangean metaheuristic for single machine scheduling problem with sequence-dependent setup times and due dates

In this article, a hybrid Lagrangean metaheuristic is proposed for single machine scheduling problems with sequence-dependent setup times and due dates. The objective function considered throughout this work, is to minimize the total tardiness. Related works and taxonomies for hybrid metaheuristics are analyzed, through a thorough historical overview. The proposed hybrid Lagrangean metaheuristic is a … Read more

Robust Investment Management with Uncertainty in Fund Managers’ Asset Allocation

We consider a problem where an investment manager must allocate an available budget among a set of fund managers, whose asset allocations are not precisely known to the investment manager. In this paper, we propose a robust framework that takes into account the uncertainty stemming from the fund managers’ allocation, as well as the more … Read more

Multiperiod Multiproduct Advertising Budgeting: Stochastic Optimization Modeling

We propose a stochastic optimization model for the Multiperiod Multiproduct Advertising Budgeting problem, so that the expected profit of the advertising investment is maximized. The model is a convex optimization problem that can readily be solved by plain use of standard optimization software. It has been tested for planning a realistic advertising campaign. In our … Read more

Optimizing healthcare network design under reference pricing and parameter uncertainty

Healthcare payers are exploring cost-containing policies to steer patients, through qualified information and financial incentives, towards providers offering the best value proposition. With Reference Pricing (RP), a payer or insurer determines a maximum amount paid for a procedure, and patients who select a provider charging more pay the difference. In a Tiered Network (TN), providers … Read more

Analysis of mixed integer programming formulations for single machine scheduling problems with sequence dependent setup times and release dates

In this article, six different mixed integer programming (MIP) formulations are proposed and analyzed. These formulations are based on the knowledge of four different paradigms for single machine scheduling problems (SMSP) with sequence dependent setup times and release dates. Each formulation reflects a specific concept on how the variables and parameters are defined, requiring particular … Read more

Power-Capacity and Ramp-Capability Reserves for Wind Integration in Power-Based UC

This paper proposes a power-based network-constrained unit commitment (UC) model as an alternative to the traditional deterministic UCs to deal with wind generation uncertainty. The formulation draws a clear distinction between power-capacity and ramp-capability reserves to deal with wind production uncertainty. These power and ramp requirements can be obtained from wind forecast information. The model … Read more

Tight MIP Formulations of the Power-Based Unit Commitment Problem

This paper provides the convex hull description for the basic operation of slow- and quick-start units in power-based unit commitment (UC) problems. The basic operating constraints that are modeled for both types of units are: 1) generation limits and 2) minimum up and down times. Apart from this, the startup and shutdown processes are also … Read more

A Tight MIP Formulation of the Unit Commitment Problem with Start-up and Shut-down Constraints

This paper provides the convex hull description for the following basic operating constraints of a single power generation unit in Unit Commitment (UC) problems: 1) generation limits, 2) startup and shutdown capabilities, and 3) minimum up and down times. Although the model does not consider some crucial constraints, such as ramping, the proposed constraints can … Read more