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Designing Guest Flow and Operations Logistics for the Dolphin Tales

Author

Listed:
  • Eva K. Lee

    (School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332)

  • Chien-Hung Chen

    (School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332)

  • Niquelle Brown

    (School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332)

  • Joseph Handy

    (Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Georgia 30313)

  • Alex Desiderio

    (Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Georgia 30313)

  • Ruth Lopez

    (Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Georgia 30313)

  • Brian Davis

    (Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Georgia 30313)

Abstract

To prepare for its new Dolphin Tales exhibit, Georgia Aquarium partnered with Georgia Institute of Technology to design the exhibit's guest movement with the goal of enhancing the guest experience while limiting congestion. The result was the development and application of the RealOpt-ABM © simulation decision support system for complex modeling and optimization.This work advanced the knowledge frontier in analytical methods in three ways. First, we developed a powerful heuristic algorithm for finding good feasible solutions for intractable nonlinear mixed-integer program resource allocation instances. Second, we integrated simulation and optimization technology into a unified software framework for realistic modeling of large-scale applications with human cognitive and behavioral elements; the software assists in optimizing overall operational dynamics. Third, we developed software for automatically interpreting computer-rendered drawings of processes and tasks into system process maps for simulation and optimization; as advanced visualization becomes more common, automatic translation from mouse clicks and keystrokes to an analytic workflow model serves as an important facilitator in human-computer interfaces.The system provided recommendations that were implemented for strategic and operational planning of the exhibit. These recommendations resulted in reduced congestion, enhanced guest experience, lower operating costs, improved wellness of the dolphins, and better performance in operational logistics, efficiency, and show schedules. The total dollar value of improvements from using the decision support system in reducing the number of shows by one show per week was estimated to be at least $1.5 million per year.

Suggested Citation

  • Eva K. Lee & Chien-Hung Chen & Niquelle Brown & Joseph Handy & Alex Desiderio & Ruth Lopez & Brian Davis, 2012. "Designing Guest Flow and Operations Logistics for the Dolphin Tales," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 42(5), pages 492-506, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orinte:v:42:y:2012:i:5:p:492-506
    DOI: 10.1287/inte.1120.0652
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nelson Minar & Rogert Burkhart & Chris Langton & Manor Askenazi, 1996. "The Swarm Simulation System: A Toolkit for Building Multi-Agent Simulations," Working Papers 96-06-042, Santa Fe Institute.
    2. Eva K. Lee & Chien-Hung Chen & Ferdinand Pietz & Bernard Benecke, 2009. "Modeling and Optimizing the Public-Health Infrastructure for Emergency Response," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 39(5), pages 476-490, October.
    3. Eva K. Lee & Siddhartha Maheshwary & Jacquelyn Mason & William Glisson, 2006. "Large-Scale Dispensing for Emergency Response to Bioterrorism and Infectious-Disease Outbreak," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 36(6), pages 591-607, December.
    4. Eva Lee & Siddhartha Maheshwary & Jacquelyn Mason & William Glisson, 2006. "Decision support system for mass dispensing of medications for infectious disease outbreaks and bioterrorist attacks," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 148(1), pages 25-53, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Andriy Shapoval & Eva K. Lee, 2022. "Managing Guest Flow in Georgia Aquarium After the Dolphin Tales Show Opening," SN Operations Research Forum, Springer, vol. 3(3), pages 1-21, September.
    2. Eva K. Lee & Ferdinand Pietz & Bernard Benecke & Jacquelyn Mason & Greg Burel, 2013. "Advancing Public Health and Medical Preparedness with Operations Research," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 43(1), pages 79-98, February.
    3. Eva K. Lee & Hany Y. Atallah & Michael D. Wright & Eleanor T. Post & Calvin Thomas & Daniel T. Wu & Leon L. Haley, 2015. "Transforming Hospital Emergency Department Workflow and Patient Care," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 45(1), pages 58-82, February.

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