Simulating the main-in-the-loop

Simulation is a well-known technique, but in many circumstances there is a need to include the actions of intelligent decision-makers within the model. Two routes have been suggested: Visual Interactive Simulation (VIS), which uses the decision-maker directly, or Expert Systems (ES), which model the decision-maker. In this article, the author proposes a combined route, using a VIS to elicit behaviour, then ES to emulate the behaviour, then embedding the ES within the simulation. The methodology is illustrated by a case-study of replenishment at sea in the Royal Navy.