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A multi-stage IP-based heuristic for class timetabling and trainer rostering

Author

Listed:
  • Oliver Czibula

    (University of Technology Sydney)

  • Hanyu Gu

    (University of Technology Sydney)

  • Aaron Russell
  • Yakov Zinder

    (University of Technology Sydney)

Abstract

We consider a timetabling and rostering problem involving periodic retraining of large numbers of employees at an Australian electricity distributor. This problem is different from traditional high school and university timetabling problems studied in the literature in several aspects. We propose a three-stage heuristic consisting of timetable generation, timetable improvement, and trainer rostering. Large-scale integer linear programming models for both the timetabling and the rostering components are proposed, and several unique operational constraints are discussed. We show that this solution approach is able to produce good solutions in practically acceptable time.

Suggested Citation

  • Oliver Czibula & Hanyu Gu & Aaron Russell & Yakov Zinder, 2017. "A multi-stage IP-based heuristic for class timetabling and trainer rostering," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 252(2), pages 305-333, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:annopr:v:252:y:2017:i:2:d:10.1007_s10479-015-2090-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10479-015-2090-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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