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Flexible versus fixed timetabling: a case study

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  • M Bazargan-Lari

    (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University)

Abstract

This case study presents the timetabling problem of the Flight Training Department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The problem consists of scheduling the flight resources to students to various time blocks. This problem represents a well-studied field in operations research, mainly adopting variations of mathematical programming models. This paper initially presents the efforts towards developing a fixed timetable using optimization models for the case under study. It is, however, demonstrated that implementation of optimum solutions obtained using this approach cannot be sustained, mainly because of the dynamic nature of the governing parameters. A flexible and dynamic timetable utilizing the university computer network, allowing the instructors and students to make their own decentralized flexible timetables, is proposed. A simulation study is initiated to compare the performance measures under both timetables. The analysis shows that implementation of a flexible system generates higher utilization of flight resources as well as improving key performance measures.

Suggested Citation

  • M Bazargan-Lari, 2004. "Flexible versus fixed timetabling: a case study," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 55(2), pages 123-131, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jorsoc:v:55:y:2004:i:2:d:10.1057_palgrave.jors.2601651
    DOI: 10.1057/palgrave.jors.2601651
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Knut Haase & Jörg Latteier & Andreas Schirmer, 1999. "Course Planning at Lufthansa Technical Training: Constructing More Profitable Schedules," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 29(5), pages 95-109, October.
    2. Timothy R. Hinkin & Gary M. Thompson, 2002. "SchedulExpert: Scheduling Courses in the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 32(6), pages 45-57, December.
    3. Haase, Knut & Latteier, Jorg & Schirmer, Andreas, 1998. "The course scheduling problem at Lufthansa Technical Training," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 110(3), pages 441-456, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. K A Willoughby & C J Zappe, 2006. "A methodology to optimize foundation seminar assignments," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 57(8), pages 950-956, August.

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