Agent-based Simulation for Creating Robust Plans and Schedules

The paper describes methods for constructing the robust schedules using agent-based simulation. The measure of robustness represents the resistance of the schedule to random phenomena and we present the method for calculating robustness of the schedule. The procedure for creating the robust schedule combines standard solutions for planning and scheduling with computer simulation. It is described in detail and allows creation an executable robust schedule. Three different procedures for increasing the robustness (by changing the order of allocation of resources, by changing a plan and increasing time reserves) are short explained. The presented techniques were tested using real detailed simulation model of an existing container terminal.