| Article ID: | iaor20164571 |
| Volume: | 46 |
| Issue: | 5 |
| Start Page Number: | 409 |
| End Page Number: | 423 |
| Publication Date: | Oct 2016 |
| Journal: | Interfaces |
| Authors: | Cohn Amy, Klampfl Erica, Epelman Marina, Reich Daniel, Shi Yuhui, Barnes Ellen, Arthurs Kirk |
| Keywords: | scheduling |
We consider the problem of scheduling crash tests for new vehicle programs at Ford. We describe the development of a comprehensive web‐based system that automates time‐consuming scheduling analyses through mathematical optimization, while also institutionalizing expert knowledge about the engineering complexities of crash testing. We present a novel integer programming model and a corresponding solution algorithm that quickly generates efficient schedules. The system’s user interface enables engineers to specify key program data and consider multiple scheduling scenarios, while using the underlying optimization model and solution algorithms as a black box.