Hybrid machine learning and optimisation method to solve a tri-level road network protection problem

Abstract

In this study, the authors employ machine learning to develop a new solution method for solving a tri-level network protection problem. In the upper-level, the planner aims to minimise the impact of the interdictor's attempt to disrupt a road network through protection activities. At the middle-level, however, the interdictor seeks to maximise the network's cost function, that is total travel time while the user equilibrium assignment models the road users behaviour at the lower-level. The proposed solution algorithm combines implicit enumeration with machine learning for faster performance. In so doing, four machine learning methods are evaluated among which the artificial neural network mo..