Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons^™

Weapon System Environmental Life Cycle Cost Methodologies And Models, William H. Kale Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAP) cost billions of dollars and have 30 to 50 year life spans. Numerous (federal, state, etc.) laws, Environmental Protection Agency regulations, and Executive Orders have driven DoD to develop and implement significant environmental policies within the past ten to fifteen years. Congressional mandate now requires each MDAP to evaluate its environmental life cycle cost (ELCC) to minimize these costs. This research focuses on the current methodologies and models used to predict and calculate the ELCC of a MDAP. This thesis analyzed the difficulties associated with using ELCC methodologies and models and examined several case studies …

Influence Of Personality Type And Anonymity On Participation In A Group Support System, Robert E. Hartmann

Theses and Dissertations

A group support system (GSS) uses a combination of networked personal computers, software that collects, manipulates, and aggregates member's individual input, and human facilitation to improve the group decision-making process. A GSS has been promoted as a means of improving the quantity and quality of ideas within a decision-making meeting. Research into GSS has focused on the benefits of providing anonymity to improve participation. Anonymity in a GSS meeting has been offered as a means to improve participation, which in turn improves decision quality. To date this has not been proven through research. In fact, there is conflicting evidence as …

Entrance Capacity Of An Automated Highway System, Randolph W. Hall, Ali Nowroozi, Jacob Tsao

Faculty Publications

This paper evaluates the entrance capacity and queueing delay for Automated Highway Systems through use of simulations and analytical modeling. Queueing statistics are also used to determine the sustainable capacity of alternative concepts, taking trip length distribution and spacing between ramps into consideration. Based on safety-spacing headways (produced in a separate analysis), the most promising concept utilizes platoons both on the highway and on on-ramps. However, it is unclear whether comparable capacity can be achieved on exit, when vehicles must be decoupled from their platoons, and whether it is safe for vehicles to enter the highway in closely spaced platoons. …

A Model To Evaluate The Effect Of Organizational Adaptation, Holly A. H. Handley, Alexander H. Levis

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

When an organization’s output declines due to either internal changes or changes in its external environment, it needs to adapt. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of different adaptation strategies on organizational per- formance, an organizational model composed of individual models of a five stage interacting decision maker was designed using an object oriented design approach and implemented as a Colored Petri net. The concept of entropy is used to calculate the total activity value, a surrogate for decision maker workload, based on the functional partition and the adaptation strategy being implemented. The individual decision maker’s total activity is monitored, …

The Role Of Intelligent Transportation Systems (Its) In Intermodal Air Cargo Operations, H.-S. Jacob Tsao, Asim Rizwan

Faculty Publications

If California were a nation, it would be the sixth largest economy in the world. Efficient goods movement is crucial to California’s economy. Air freight consists predominantly of high-value, time-sensitive or time-definite goods, e.g., electronic equipment, emergency shipments, overnight packages, etc. Timely delivery of air freight has been an important element of many manufacturing and service operations in California. Therefore, the air cargo industry is a vital part of the state’s economy. The objectives of this research include (a) investigating and suggesting how the public sector in California can assist the air cargo industry in providing efficient services to businesses …

Deformation And Limit Strain Analysis Of Superplastic Materials Using Finite Elements, Noha Mohamed Hassan

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Swarm Engineering, S. Kazadi '90

Doctoral Dissertations

Swarm engineering is the natural evolution of the use of swarm-based techniques in the accomplishment of high level tasks using a number of simple robots. In this approach, one seeks not to generate a class of behaviors designed to accomplish a given global goal, as is the approach typically found in mainstream robotics. Once the class of behaviors has been understood and decided upon, specific behaviors designed to accomplish this goal may be generated that will complete the desired task without any concern about whether or not the final goal will actually be completed. As long as the generated behaviors …

A Systems-Based Methodology For The Construction And Representation Of Organizational Knowledge Systems, Willie James Mcfadden

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to develop and apply a systems-based, analysis methodology which constructs and represents an organization's knowledge system. The research inquiry was guided by four questions: (1) “what is an organizational knowledge system?” (2) “how can it be made explicit?” (3) “does the representation accurately depict the organization's perspective of their unique knowledge system?” and (4) “what results from the deployment of the organizational knowledge system methodology?” The resultant answers to these research questions advanced and established the theoretical conception of an organization's knowledge system through the development of a methodology that fosters the construction and …

Power, Performance, And Perception (P3): Integrating Usability Metrics And Technology Acceptance Determinants To Validate A New Model For Predicting System Usage, Alan P. Fiorello

Theses and Dissertations

Currently, there are two distinct approaches to assist information technology managers in the successful implementation of office automation software. The first approach resides within the field of usability engineering, while the second approach is derived from the discipline of management information systems (MIS). However, neither approach has successfully produced conclusive evidence that explains what characteristics facilitate system use as well as influence user acceptance of the system. This study reports on the validity of a new model, entitled the Power, Performance, Perception (P3) model, that links the constructs of usability engineering to user acceptance. Additionally, speech recognition software (SRS) was …

Defining Virtual Interactions: A Taxonomy For Researchers And Practitioners, Glade G. Oxborrow

Theses and Dissertations

Many uses for virtual technology are being identified by diverse organizational entities around the world. Before these technologies can be fully utilized, it is important to have a common definition and understanding of what is meant by the term virtual. It is also important to understand the structural configurations possible using virtual technology and the types of virtual interactions that may occur using these technologies. This thesis will define the basic premises, structures, and definitions applicable to vial interactions. It also defines various types of virtual interactions that may occur using virtual technology. These designations will help both practitioners and …

Evolving Neural Networks Applied To Predator-Evader Problem, Shivakumar Viswanathan, Ilker Ersoy, Filiz Bunyak, Cihan H. Dagli

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

The creation of strategies to meet abstract goals is an important behavior exhibited by natural organisms. A situation requiring the development of such strategies is the predator-evader problem. To study this problem, Khepera robots are chosen as the competing agents. Using computer simulations the evolution of the adaptive behavior is studied in a predator-evader interaction. A bilaterally symmetrical multilayer perceptron neural network architecture with evolvable weights is used to model the “brains” of the agents. Evolutionary programming is employed to evolve the predator for developing adaptive strategies to meet its goals. To study the effect of learning on evolution a …

Exploring Participation Processes For Technology Development: Case Studies Of Biotechnology Research And Development Projects In Thailand, Omjai Yuktavetya

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

There is increased awareness in the organizational and management literature that participation can make contributions in technology development. One of the problems in developing biotechnology in Thailand is that only a small portion of publicly funded research and development projects directly result in commercial success. Among the reasons cited (TDRI 1992a) is a lack of collaboration between various stakeholders; therefore, an effective technology policy to support their participation is needed. This research explores current participation processes in biotechnology research and development projects in Thailand in which there were different perspectives among various stakeholders. The quantitative and qualitative methodologies developed here …

A Five-Year Development Plan For The California Aviation Database, H.-S. Jacob Tsao

Faculty Publications

The California Aviation Database (CAvD) project was suggested by Caltrans Aeronautics Program to fulfill a need of the planners involved in aviation system planning and programming activities to locate and access aviation data and information in an efficient and comprehensive way. CAvD is being implemented in the form of an Internet website and is currently intended as a five-year project. However, the development can be accelerated, and the duration will depend on the available resources. CAvD is a joint project between the National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research (NEXTOR) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Its primary …

Management Information System For Iso 9000, Reem Mahmoud Abdel Motaal

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Decision Analysis Methodology To Evaluate Organization, Shawn C. Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

The organizational structure of the civil engineer squadron's operations flight has undergone numerous changes over the last fifty years. Today the structure of the flight to the element level is mandated by Air Force Instructions; however, each unit is given the flexibility to organize below the element level. Most civil engineer units are struggling through the decision of how to organize their flights without a sound methodology to guide their efforts. Providing such a methodology is the objective of this thesis. To accomplish the objective, the history behind the operations flight structure was researched. In addition to this historical research, …

A Decision-Oriented Framework For Evaluating Deployment Strategies For Intelligent Transportation Systems, H.-S. Jacob Tsao

Faculty Publications

Because Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) R&D is performed for the ultimate deployment in the real world, deployment issues may limit design options for ITS concepts and technologies and, hence, can be viewed as constraints on ITS R&D. Therefore, ITS deployment issues must be studied at the outset of the R&D process. This paper develops a framework to help recognize and organize such issues. The findings can be used by ITS researchers in developing deployable ITS concepts and technologies and by ITS promoters in deploying ITS technologies having been developed already. Based on a focus on decisions impacting the deployment of …

Spatial And Temporal Factors In Estimating The Potential Of Ride-Sharing For Demand Reduction, H.-S. Jacob Tsao, Da-Jie Lin

Faculty Publications

Traffic congestion has been a pervasive problem in many urban areas of this country. This paper studies the potential of carpooling among unrelated partners (i.e., inter-household carpooling) for demand reduction during peak commute hours. Basic questions about this potential include the following. Can the current population density, origin-destination distribution, tolerable pick-up and drop-off delays, departure time distribution, and the tolerance for deviation from preferred departure time support a sizable carpooling population that can make a significant contribution to traffic demand reduction? Could the proportion of long trips that are likely candidates for carpooling (e.g., those long trips with same O-D) …

Loss Detection In The Dairy Industry., Michael Quealy

Theses

In any waste management program, the primary objective must be minimizing product loss without having an affect on product quality. Good waste management is recognized as good manufacturing practice and optimizes the processes to gain the highest possible yield from the available raw materials. A good waste management program must involve the daily monitoring of effluent from the plant for volume and strength. This data needs to be analyzed sufficiently to obtain clear pictures of what problems are present and where they are originating. If this is achieved then the task of reducing the product loss is made much easier. …

The Role Of Air Cargo In California's Goods Movement, H.-S. Jacob Tsao

Faculty Publications

Caltrans began a systematic investigation into the role of air cargo in California’s goods movement, as part of the larger development effort for a statewide goods movement strategy, and funded a research project in 1997 for the Institute of Transportation Studies at U.C. Berkeley to (i) gain a broader understanding of the State’s air cargo industry and the role of air cargo in California’s goods movement, (ii) assess the importance of air cargo to the State’s economy, (iii) begin identification of issues hindering efficient air cargo movement in the State, and (iv) explore possible State roles for resolving the issues. …

Consortia As Technology Innovation Management Vehicles: Toward A Framework For Success In Venture Based Public-Private Partnerships, Ralph B. Saunders Ii

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to explore the approach by federal/state agencies, university, and private sector consortia to develop and manage commercialization of innovation technologies. The evaluation, support, and management of technologically based consortia has traditionally been held in the private sector. There is a somewhat mature literature guiding innovation management (Utterback 1996; Rosenberg et al. 1994; Quinn 1997, 1992) in the private sector. However, there is an increasing emergence of consortia consisting of universities, industrial/private sector entities, and government agencies joining in collaborative efforts to launch technology based initiatives. These consortia are non-traditional and the applicability of traditional …

Meta-Ethnographic Development Of A Dialogue Methodology Applied To Organization Discourse, Shelley P. Gallup

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A gap exists between theoretical stances that acknowledge the importance of dialogue as a dynamic within socially constructed structures, and "steersmanship" of those constructs--e.g., directing, intervening or transforming organizations. A "mechanism" which links theory with practice is missing, leaving practitioners with an acknowledgment of dialogue's central position, but without tools to enact this centrality in practice or research. This research constructs a conceptual model of dialogue, derived from the literature. Using this model as a base, the research seeks to generate a dialogue methodology bridging theory and practice with respect to organizational dialogue. The model, methodology, and research results are …

A Transmission-Constrained Unit Commitment Method, Chung-Li Tseng, Chao-An Li, S. S. Oren, C. S. Cheng, A. J. Svoboda, R. B. Johnson

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The paper presents a transmission-constrained unit commitment method using a Lagrangian relaxation approach. The transmission constraints are modeled as linear constraints based on a DC power flow model. The transmission constraints, as well as the demand and spinning reserve constraints, are relaxed by attaching Lagrange multipliers. The authors take a new approach in the algorithmic scheme. A three-phase algorithm is devised including dual optimization, a feasibility phase and unit decommitment. A test problem involving more than 2500 transmission lines and 2200 buses is tested along with other test problems

A Robust Unit Commitment Algorithm For Hydro-Thermal Optimization, Chao-An Li, R. B. Johnson, A. J. Svoboda, Chung-Li Tseng, E. Hsu

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a unit commitment algorithm which combines the Lagrangian relaxation (LR), sequential unit commitment (SUC), and optimal unit decommitment (UD) methods to solve a general hydro-thermal optimization (HTO) problem. We argue that this approach retains the advantages of the LR method while addressing the method''s observed weaknesses to improve overall algorithm performance and quality of solution. The proposed approach has been implemented in a version of PG&E''s HTO program, and test results are presented.

An Alternative Method For Determining Adjusted Function Points As The Basis For Software Cost Estimating, William Alexander Eldred

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

As software costs become an increasingly higher percentage of total computer system costs, it becomes increasingly more important for software development managers to have the ability to predict development costs with reasonable accuracy early in the software development cycle. Software development cost estimates are based in large measure on software size. Function points are considered by many to be a de facto industry standard as a size metric. The function points technique, unlike lines-of-code, can be applied early in the software development cycle and is language independent. Critics claim that the function point “value adjustment factor,” which purports to capture …

Development Of A System To Determine The Economically Optimal Combination Of Housing For An Air Force Installation, Johnathan E. Hendrix

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Military is faced with the decision of how to house its military members and their families. The three options available to house these families are: 1) utilize existing on-base housing; 2) build new on-base housing; or, 3) compensate a military family monetarily to find housing off-base. This research focused on the development of a tool to all the decision maker in determining what combination of the three options is economically optimal for an individual Air Force Installation. The model developed incorporates the costs associated to the local area and conditions at the specific installation to determine the …

The Effects Of Extraneous Presentation Graphics On Decision Making, Thomas S. Tingley

Theses and Dissertations

Almost every professional presentation includes some form of graphics. Many previous researchers have analyzed the relative effectiveness of graphical decision aids, such as pie charts or bar graphs. Very little research, however, has been conducted to determine the effects of extraneous graphics, such as pictures and logos, on decision making. This study employed an experiment to determine whether extraneous graphics hinder or enhance a decision maker's ability to obtain the pertinent information from a professional presentation. Other factors such as gender and graphics training were also analyzed for any influence on the results obtained. The results of the study indicated …

A Robust Unit Commitment Algorithm For Hydro-Thermal Optimization, Chao-An Li, Chung-Li Tseng, E. Hsu, R. B. Johnson, A. J. Svoboda

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a unit commitment algorithm which combines the Lagrangian relaxation (LR), sequential unit commitment (SUC), and optimal unit decommitment (UD) methods to solve a general hydro-thermal optimization (HTO) problem. The authors argue that this approach retains the advantages of the LR method while addressing the method''s observed weaknesses to improve overall algorithm performance and quality of solution. The proposed approach has been implemented in a version of PG&E''s HTO program, and test results are presented.

Development Of A Method For Determining The Relative Manufacturing Complexity Of Advanced Engineering Materials, Shardul Y. Pandya

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The immediate adaptation of newly developed materials--with unique and highly desirable properties--is hampered by several factors, including: (1) high material cost and limited availability, (2) lack of information on them, including prior experience in their design and manufacture, immature manufacturing processes and general uncertainty in their behavior patterns, (3) unique handling issues, such as excessive manual labor, high process temperatures, toxicity, disposal problems, limited working lives, and low damage tolerance

Therefore, in spite of their significant benefits, potential users tend to shy away from the widespread use of new materials, instead preferring conventional and tested materials forms.

This dissertation is …

A Sociotechnical Systems Analysis Of The Approval Process For A Complex Public Works Proposal, James C. Pyne

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This research applied sociotechnical systems theory to explore the process used by two elected bodies to decide upon adoption of a complex technical engineering proposal. The research used a modified sociotechnical systems conceptual framework that was developed by Pava (1983) for application to non-traditional work settings. Pava applied the conceptual framework to what he termed non-routine office work which is characterized by non-linear conversion flow, multiple, concurrent conversion processes and vocational separatism (Pava, 1983).

The research was designed as a multiple case study of two town councils each undertaking a decision process to approve or reject a public works proposal …

Analytical Models For Vehicle/Gap Distribution On Automated Highway Systems, Jacob Tsao, Randolph W. Hall, Indrajit Chatterjee

Faculty Publications

Highway congestion has in recent years become a pervasive problem for urban and suburban areas alike. The concept of Automated Highway Systems is based on the belief that integration of sensing, communication, and control technologies into vehicles and highways can lead to a large improvement in capacity and safety without requiring a significant amount of additional highway right-of-way. A fundamental determinant of Automated Highway Systems capacity is the vehicle-following rule, the rule that governs the behavior of vehicles traveling along a common lane (e.g., the spacing between any two longitudinally adjacent vehicles). Vehicle following affects the longitudinal capacity (achievable flow …