ENGG 1400:

Infrastructure System Optimization

Prof S. Travis Waller Dr. Lauren Gardner
Email: s.waller@unsw.edu.au Email l.gardner@unsw.edu.au
Room 110, CVEN Building Room 112, CVEN Building
Dr. David Rey
Email: d.rey@unsw.edu.au
Course Details
Units of Credit 6

Contact hours 4 hours per week

Lecture Wednesday, 10am 1pm
Law Theatre G04(K-F8-G04)
Please refer to the timetable for potential updates.
http://www.timetable.unsw.edu.au/current/ENGG1400.html
Course
Coordinator and
Lecturer
Prof S. Travis Waller
Email: s.waller@unsw.edu.au
Room 110, Civil and Environmental Engineering Building
Lecturer Dr. Lauren Gardner
Email l.gardner@unsw.edu.au
Room 112, Civil and Environmental Engineering Building
PTA
Dr. David Rey
Email: d.rey@unsw.edu.au

Course Details
Visiting
Lecturers
Dr. Ken Doust
Mr Ian McIntyre


Demonstrators Melissa Duell Email: m.duell@unsw.edu.au
Milad
Ghasrikhouzani
Email: m.ghasrikhouzani@unsw.edu.au
Yanni Huang Email: yanni.huang@unsw.edu.au
Divya J Nair Email:
d.jayakumarnair@student.unsw.edu.au
Neeraj Saxena Email: n.saxena@student.unsw.edu.au
Kelly Tang Email: kellyjtang@gmail.com
Kasun Wijayaratna Email: z3188830@unsw.edu.au
Koray Yurt Email: k.yurt@unsw.edu.au

Information about the course

This subject is targeted to students in the Faculty of Engineering
desiring a greater understanding of how to model various complex
systems, including critical infrastructure (e.g., telecommunications,
water supply, and transport). This course will provide an introduction
to the interdisciplinary concepts and approaches applied by
engineers in advanced systems modeling. The expected outcomes
of this course are reinforced capability in optimization theory with a
view to apply the concepts learned to the analysis of engineering
systems, the ability to implement mathematical models to represent,
analyse and optimize various engineering systems, and gain the
modelling and optimization tools needed for their studies in the field
of Engineering.
Handbook Description
A course in optimization and modelling for first year engineering students
who desire a higher capability in the application of the mathematical
modelling of engineering systems, and seek to acquire a set of
optimization tools which can be applied to various engineering
applications. The course will introduce fundamental engineering systems
concepts and methods with real-world projects related to critical
contemporary issues. The course includes lectures on the following topics:
complex systems, network modelling, system dynamics, probability and
statistics, optimization methods, infrastructure system design and
behaviour and decision making.
This course in intended for first year engineering students; it is available by
application to the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
The URL of the course online handbook is:
http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/courses/2014/ENGG1400.html
Objectives
Learning objectives of the course are:
1. To reinforce a students capability in modelling and apply the concepts
learned to the analysis of engineering systems.
2. To introduce students to the fundamental optimization tools and
concepts applied by engineers in advanced systems modelling.
3. To abstract a complex technical system into quantitative models
and/or qualitative frameworks that represent that system.
4. To analyse and optimize various engineering systems with the
abstracted models.
5. Provide a foundation in modelling and optimization tools needed for
their studies in the field of Engineering.
Teaching Strategies
The following teaching/learning strategies will be used the course.

Private Study


Review lecture material and textbook
Do set problems and assignments
Reflect on class problems and assignments
Lectures



Find out what you must learn
See methods that are not in the textbook
Follow worked examples
Hear announcements on course changes
Workshops


Be guided by demonstrators
Practice solving set problems
Ask questions
Assessments (assignments)

Demonstrate your knowledge and skills
Demonstrate higher understanding and problem
solving

Expected Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course you will be able to:
Develop an integrative holistic approach to problem solving through systems
modelling
Ability to select optimal designs from a set of alternatives as a fundamental of
engineering problem solving
Abstract a complex technical system into quantitative models and/or qualitative
frameworks that represent that system
Use abstracted models and frameworks to evaluate and compare effective design
decisions
Implement optimization methods to improve the performance of various infr. systems
Create a strategy for implementing design decisions
Understand the fundamental concepts and principles applied by engineers in
advanced systems modelling.
Explore the interdisciplinary nature of integrated real world systems
Apply methods learned to emerging real world engineering problems
Apply learned skills to their studies.
For each hour of contact it is expected that you will put in at least 1.5 hours of
private study.
Assessment
Assessment is based on two assignments and a final written examination.
Workshop Participation 5%
Assignments are worth 60% of the course mark, with 2 assignments
worth 30% each.
Final written examination is worth 35%.
Assignments are assessed on the technical merit and consistency of the
methodology followed. Attention to the detail and demonstrated initiative in
experimentation with concepts learned will be rewarded. Late submissions
will not be accepted.
The written examination will be in the conventional closed book format
covering all topic areas. The formal exam scripts will not be returned.
Students who perform poorly in the quick quizzes and workshops are
recommended to discuss progress with the lecturer during the semester.
The lecturer reserves the right to adjust the final scores.
Assignments
Assignment 1: Planning and Finance Due 3 September, 2 pm
Assignment 2: Operations and Management Due 8 October, 2 pm

Drop-off for all assignments is the wooden assignment box labeled

Professor S. Travis Waller, located at: School of Civil & Environmental
Engineering, Building H20, level 1, opposite room 114 (Tea Room)
Course Program
SEMESTER 2 2014

Week Date Topic Assessments
1
30-July
Introduction to Infrastructure Systems and Modeling

2
6-August
Planning: Facility Location Problem

3
13- August
Planning: Network Design Problem
4
20- August
Planning: Project Management*

5
27- August
Finance: Asset Management*

6
3-September
Construction: Scheduling
Assignment 1 due
7
10- September
Operations: Vehicle Routing Problem

8
17- September
Operations: Joint Decision Making

9
24- September
Maintenance: Management and Repair

X
1- October
No class Mid-semester break

10
8- October
Operations: Simulation
Assignment 2 due
11
15- October
Guest Lecture from Evans & Peck - Ian McIntyre

12
22- October
Course Review

13
29- October
No Lecture, just workshops this week

*Guest Lecturer Dr. Ken Doust
Course Program
SEMESTER 2 2014

Week Date Topic Assessments
1
30-July
Introduction to Infrastructure Systems and Modeling

2
6-August
Planning: Facility Location Problem

3
13- August
Planning: Network Design Problem
4
20- August
Planning: Project Management*

5
27- August
Finance: Asset Management*

6
3-September
Construction: Scheduling
Assignment 1 due
7
10- September
Operations: Vehicle Routing Problem

8
17- September
Operations: Joint Decision Making

9
24- September
Maintenance: Management and Repair

X
1- October
No class Mid-semester break

10
8- October
Operations: Simulation
Assignment 2 due
11
15- October
Guest Lecture from Evans & Peck - Ian McIntyre

12
22- October
Course Review

13
29- October
No Lecture, just workshops this week

*Guest Lecturer Dr. Ken Doust
As this is a new course,
this may be adjusted later.
Relevant Resources
Fourer, Robert, Gay, David M. and Brian W. Kernighan. AMPL: A Modeling
Language for Mathematical Programming, Second edition, ISBN 0-534-38809-4.
Larson, Richard C., and Amedeo R. Odoni. Urban Operations Research. Prentice
Hall, 1981. Available at: http://web.mit.edu/urban_or_book/www/book/
Penn, Michael R. and Philip J. Parker. Introduction to Infrastructure An Introduction
to Civil and Environmental Engineering. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2011. ISBN : 978-0-
470-41191-9
Sussman, Joseph. Complex Sociotechnical Systems (CSS): Some Fundamental
Concepts.
Sterman, John D. Business Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for a
Complex World. Irwin/McGraw-Hill, 2000. ISBN: 9780072389159.
Martland, Carl D. Toward More Sustainable Infrastructure: Project Evaluation for
Planners and Engineers. 1st ed. Wiley, 2011. ISBN: 9780470448762.
Churchman, Charles West. "Thinking." Chapter 1 in The Systems Approach. New
York, NY: Delacorte Press, 1979. ISBN: 9780385289986.
Perrow, Charles. "Complexity, Coupling, and Catastrophe." Chapter 3 in Normal
Accidents: Living with High-risk Technologies. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University
Press, 1999. ISBN: 9780691004129
Dates to note
Refer to MyUNSW for Important Dates available at:
https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/resources/KeyDates.html
Plagiarism
Beware! An assignment that includes plagiarised material will
receive a 0% Fail, and students who plagiarise may fail the course.
Students who plagiarise are also liable to disciplinary action,
including exclusion from enrolment.
Plagiarism is the use of another persons work or ideas as if they
were your own. When it is necessary or desirable to use other
peoples material you should adequately acknowledge whose words
or ideas they are and where you found them (giving the complete
reference details, including page number(s)). The Learning Centre
provides further information on what constitutes Plagiarism at:
http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/onlib/plag.html
Academic Advice
For information about:
Notes on assessments and plagiarism,
School policy on Supplementary exams,
Special Considerations,
Solutions to Problems,
Year Managers and Grievance Officer of Teaching and Learning
Committee, and CEVSOC. Refer to Academic Advice on the
School website available at:

http://www.civeng.unsw.edu.au/info-about/our-school/policies-
procedures-guidelines/academic-advice
Reading
Todays Lecture (Larson and Odoni, 1981)
Sections 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3
Todays Lecture (Penn and Parker, 2011)
Chapter 1
Upcoming Material (Larson and Odoni, 1981):
Section 6 (Intro), 6.1, 6.2, 6.2.1
Minimum-Spanning-Tree: Section 6.3, 6.3.1
Facility Location: Section 6.5, 6.5.1 through 6.5.8
Suggested as core background for the course:
AMPL Textbook:
Introduction, Chapter 1, and Chapter 2
Course Overview
Domain knowledge about infrastructure
Facts & figures
Standards
Organizational processes
Technical knowledge about systems modelling and optimization
Mathematical techniques
Algorithms
Software usage
Intentional Student Challenges:
We will move back and forth between these types of knowledge.
We will rely frequently on word problems. You must develop the
mathematical model.
Undergraduate Research Assistance
In the past Ive often hired a couple Undergraduate RAs.
Application would be late in the course with any decision just after
the course ends.
Activities would include involvement in research, governmental
and/or industry projects.
Will provide more details mid-semester.
This slide is simply to give some notice to those who may be
interested and as a reminder to myself
Some Infrastructure Disciplines Highly Relevant
for Engineering
Energy
Water
Transport
Telecommunications
Basically, the foundational necessities for a properly
functioning society
The Role of Engineers
We are not technicians
We are problem solvers
We combine our technical and domain knowledge, often in novel ways
We must be rigorous
We must adapt as needed
Note: anything completely repetitive will (eventually) be replaced by a
computer
The Role of Engineers
From Penn and Parker (2011)
Increased Demands on Urban Infrastructure
Penn and Parker (2011)
Infrastructure Management is not only Design and Construction
Penn and Parker (2011)
Common Infrastructure Activities by Budget Range
Penn and Parker (2011)
Closer to home
Suggested side reading. Chapter 1 and Chapter 10 (Funding) of the
NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan:
http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/b2b/publications/n
sw-transport-masterplan-final.pdf
Billions in transport infrastructure
2010-2011, $11.7
2011-2012, $13.1
2012-2013, $13.2
Transport investment represents around 40 percent of total State
infrastructure investment
Funding Sources (NSW Transport Master Plan)
State Organizational
Structure for Transport
Infrastructure
(NSW Transport Master Plan)
Urban Service Costs Larson and Odoni (1981)
Systems Modelling - Larson and Odoni (1981)
This is just one approach to some
Systems Modelling problems
Systems Modelling
What is a systems model?
Is a mathematical model ever perfect?
What is a good mathematical model?
Applied Systems Modelling
In this course, we will apply such systems thinking to infrastructure
applications.
To address infrastructure applications, we will categorize them into
stages.
One View of the Stages of Infrastructure Systems Optimization
Planning
What to build
Where to build
Finance
Who pays
Construction
How to build
When to build
Operations
What to do day-to-day/month-to-month
Maintenance
What to fix
When to replace
Short Motivational Example of Transport
Infrastructure Planning (Braess Paradox)
Should we build a bridge at a particular location?
Many considerations
Cost
Disruption during construction
Environmental Impact
Impact on accessibility, travel time, safety, etc etc.
This is a grossly simplified example but grounded in a real issue.
Let us only consider the expected benefit side, specifically travel
time savings.
Simplified Static Equilibrium Model
Braesss Paradox (1950s simplified example)
A
B
C
D
10
1
1
x
c
10
4
4
x
c 7
3
c
7
2
c
X=50
P
1
= A-B-D
P
2
= A-C-D
2 Paths
Simplified Static Equilibrium Model
Braesss Paradox (1950s simplified example)
A
B
C
D
10
1
1
x
c
10
4
4
x
c 7
3
c
7
2
c
X=50
P
1
= P
2
= 25
Equilibrium flows
P
1
= A-B-D
P
2
= A-C-D
2 Paths
c
1
+c
2
= c
3
+c
4
= 9.5
Total cost = 475
Braesss Paradox Example
A
B
C
D
10
1
1
x
c
10
4
4
x
c 7
3
c
7
2
c
X=50
1
5
c
P
1
= A-B-D
P
2
= A-C-D
P
3
= A-B-C-D
3 Paths
Braesss Paradox Example
A
B
C
D
10
1
1
x
c
10
4
4
x
c 7
3
c
7
2
c
X=50
1
5
c
P
1
= A-B-D
P
2
= A-C-D
P
3
= A-B-C-D
3 Paths
5
1
c
5
4
c
Braesss Paradox Example
A
B
C
D
10
1
1
x
c
10
4
4
x
c 7
3
c
7
2
c
X=50
1
5
c
P
1
= A-B-D
P
2
= A-C-D
P
3
= A-B-C-D
3 Paths
P
3
= 50, P
1
= 0, P
2
= 0
Equilibrium flows
C
1
+ C
5
+ C
4
= 11
Total cost = 550
Braesss Paradox Example
A
B
C
D
10
1
1
x
c
10
4
4
x
c 7
3
c
7
2
c
X=50
1
5
c
P
1
= A-B-D
P
2
= A-C-D
P
3
= A-B-C-D
3 Paths
P
3
= 50, P
1
= 0, P
2
= 0
Equilibrium flows
C
1
+ C
5
+ C
4
= 11
Total cost = 550
Bottom Line: We would likely be spending millions
of Dollars to build a bridge that made everyones
travel time worse
One View of the Stages of Infrastructure Systems Optimization
Planning
What to build
Where to build
Finance
Who pays
Construction
How to build
When to build
Operations
What to do day-to-day/month-to-month
Maintenance
What to fix
When to replace
We will return to infrastructure knowledge
in the context of these stages.
But, before that, we will begin to address the
Mathematical tools we will use in addressing
these stages
Mathematical Modelling/
Linear Programming
Variables
The decisions we have control over.
Objective function
A function representing profit, cost, consumption or some other value to
be maximized or minimized.
Constraints
A set of restrictions placed on the variables.
Non-negativity constraints
A special set of constraints stating that a variable cannot be negative.
Mathematical Modelling/
Linear Programming
Variables
The decisions we have control over. Example: x, y, z or x
1
, x
2
, x
3
Objective function
A function representing profit, cost, consumption or some other value to
be maximized or minimized. Example: f(x) or f(x
1
, x
2
, x
3
) or f(x,y,z)
Constraints
A set of restrictions placed on the variables.
Examples x 10 or x
2
x
3
= 5 or y + z 13
Non-negativity constraints
A special set of constraints stating that a variable cannot be negative.
Example, x
1
0
For a math model, if the objective function is linear, all constraints
are linear and all variables are continuous, then the model is a
Linear Program (LP)
LPs are generally good because we have general solution
methods to efficiently solve them.
If the variables must take on integer values then the model is an
Integer Program (IP) when all variables are integers or Mixed
Integer Program (MIP) when some variables are integers and
comes are continuous.
Mathematical Modelling/
Linear Programming
Linear Programs (from the AMPL textbook)
An (extremely simplified) steel company must decide how to allocate next weeks time on a rolling
mill. The mill takes unfinished slabs of steel as input and can produce either of two semi-finished
products, which we will call bands and coils. The mills two products come off the rolling line at
different rates:
Tons per hour: Bands 200 Coils 140
They have different profitabilities: Bands $25 Coils $30
The following weekly production amounts are the most that can be justified in light of the currently
booked orders: Bands 6,000 Coils 4,000
If we have 40 hours of production time available this week, how many tons of bands and how
many tons of coils should be produced to bring in the greatest total profit?
Formulating the LP
Multiple ways to begin.
We will adopt this process:
1. Identify the decision variables in words
2. Explicitly restate the decision variable in mathematical notation
3. Identify the constraints in words
4. Explicitly restate the constraints in mathematical notation
5. Identify the objective in words
6. Explicitly restate the objective in mathematical notation
Some problems may lend themselves to different orderings of these
steps.
Linear Programs (from the AMPL textbook)
An (extremely simplified) steel company must decide how to allocate next
weeks time on a rolling mill. The mill takes unfinished slabs of steel as input
and can produce either of two semi-finished products, which we will call
bands and coils. The mills two products come off the rolling line at different
rates:
Tons per hour: Bands 200 Coils 140
They have different profitabilities: Bands $25 Coils $30
The following weekly production amounts are the most that can be justified
in light of the currently booked orders: Bands 6,000 Coils 4,000
If we have 40 hours of production time available this week, how many tons
of bands and how many tons of coils should be produced to bring in the
greatest total profit?
LP Example
Decision Variables?
LP Example
Decision Variables
Tons of Bands to produce
Tons of Coils to produce
LP Example
Decision Variables
Tons of Bands to produce X
B
Tons of Coils to produce X
C
LP Example
Constraints?
LP Example
Constraints
Cannot produce for longer than 40 hours
Cannot make more than 6000 tons of Bands
Cannot make more than 4000 tons of Coils
LP Example
Constraints
Cannot produce for longer than 40 hours
Cannot make more than 6000 tons of Bands
Cannot make more than 4000 tons of Coils
Anything else?
LP Example
Constraints
Cannot produce for longer than 40 hours
Cannot make more than 6000 tons of Bands
Cannot make more than 4000 tons of Coils
Cannot make negative tons of Bands
Cannot make negative tons of Coils
LP Example
Constraints
Cannot produce for longer than 40 hours
Cannot make more than 6000 tons of Bands X
B
6000
Cannot make more than 4000 tons of Coils X
C
4000
Cannot make negative tons of Bands X
B
0
Cannot make negative tons of Coils X
C
0
LP Example First Constraints?
Cannot produce for longer than 40 hours
Tons per hour: Bands 200 Coils 140
Each ton of Bands takes 1/200
th
of an hour
Each ton of Coils takes 1/140
th
of an hour
So, the constraints is
(1/200) X
B
+ (1/140) X
C
40
LP Example
Constraints
Cannot produce for longer than 40 hours
(1/200) X
B
+ (1/140) X
C
40
Cannot make more than 6000 tons of Bands X
B
6000
Cannot make more than 4000 tons of Coils X
C
4000
Cannot make negative tons of Bands X
B
0
Cannot make negative tons of Coils X
C
0
LP Example
Objective?
LP Example
Objective
Maximize Profit
LP Example
Objective
Maximize Profit 25 X
B
+ 30 X
C
Overall LP
Maximize 25 X
B
+ 30 X
C
Subject to
(1/200) X
B
+ (1/140) X
C
40
0 X
B
6000
0 X
C
4000
Overall LP
Maximize 25 X
B
+ 30 X
C
Subject to
(1/200) X
B
+ (1/140) X
C
40
0 X
B
6000
0 X
C
4000
This would be the answer to the question posed on the earlier slide.
However, this alone would not necessarily warrant full credit. The development of the
answer is also important. Specify the variables, constraints, and objective in your own
words first. Then the mathematics.
Coded for AMPL (saved as prod0.mod)
var XB;
var XC;
maximize Profit: 25 * XB + 30 * XC;
subject to Time: (1/200) * XB + (1/140) * XC <= 40;
subject to B_limit: 0 <= XB <= 6000;
subject to C_limit: 0 <= XC <= 4000;
Coded for AMPL (saved as prod0.mod)
var XB;
var XC;
maximize Profit: 25 * XB + 30 * XC;
subject to Time: (1/200) * XB + (1/140) * XC <= 40;
subject to B_limit: 0 <= XB <= 6000;
subject to C_limit: 0 <= XC <= 4000;
To find the solution:
ampl: model prod0.mod;
ampl: solve;
ampl: display XB, XC;
Reminders
Please read course profile closely. You are responsible for knowing it.
Other reading:
Todays Lecture (Larson and Odoni, 1981)
Sections 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3
Todays Lecture (Penn and Parker, 2011)
Chapter 1
Upcoming Material (Larson and Odoni, 1981):
Section 6 (Intro), 6.1, 6.2, 6.2.1
Minimum-Spanning-Tree: Section 6.3, 6.3.1
Facility Location: Section 6.5, 6.5.1 through 6.5.8
Suggested as core background for the course:
AMPL Textbook:
Introduction, Chapter 1, and Chapter 2