Optimal patrol scheduling of hazardous pipelines using game theory

An approach based on game theory is proposed to schedule security patrolling for a pipeline system. The method proposes numbers of patrolling paths according to the risk of security incidents on the pipeline system, in order to allow the patrolling team to covering high-risk segments more than low-risk segments. Patrolling of the pipeline system was modeled mathematically, based on time and distance discretization. The overall approach also examines the presence of security countermeasures on a pipeline system, and their effects on the patrolling schedule. The application of the method is explained by an illustrative case study.