Operational Research methods for mobility

Verfasst vonNils HunoldVeröffentlicht inAllgemein
LecturerBeatriz Brito Oliveira Assistant Professor (University of Porto) 
DateJune 1 & 2, 2026
with classes from 9:00 am – 16:00 pm
Room/AddressTU Dresden, room tba
Seminar contentThis short course introduces selected Operational Research (OR) methods for the analysis and design of mobility systems, with a focus on optimization-based modeling. Participants will learn how to structure and formulate mobility problems using mixed-integer models, and how standard OR approaches can be adapted to capture key features of real-world systems. The course further introduces basic concepts from discrete choice modeling to account for user behavior, and discusses how demand responses can be incorporated into optimization-based decision-making. In addition, multi-objective optimization is used to analyze trade-offs between competing goals such as cost and service quality. Throughout the course, participants will work on hands-on exercises, enabling them to develop, extend, and critically assess models of increasing complexity, as well as to reflect on their assumptions and limitations in practical mobility applications.
StructureDay 1 Morning:
  • Overview of mobility systems, typical OR problem structures for mobility, and canonical optimization models (e.g., location, network-based model)
  • Introduction and presentation of the case study
  • Hands-on (group work): formulation/implementation of a mobility problem
Day 1 Afternoon:
  • Behavioral aspects in mobility (discrete choice concepts)
  • Incorporating demand responses into optimization models
  • Hands-on (group work): extending model with user behavior
Day 2 Morning:
  • Multi-objective optimization and trade-off analysis (epsilon-constraint approach to obtain a Pareto front)
  • Hands-on (group work): exploring alternative solutions under different objectives
Day 2 Afternoon:
  • Group work: model refinement and consolidation
  • Group work: presentations
  • Discussion of results and modeling choices
CertificateDoctoral candidates from the Faculty of Business and Economics, TU Dresden can earn a certificate according to § 9 of the Ph.D. doctoral regulations (PromO 2018):
Doctoral candidates of Business Administration: § 9 (1) Nr. 5 or 6
Doctoral candidates of Business Information Systems: § 9 (1) Nr. 6
Doctoral candidates of Economics: § 9 (1) Nr. 6

Doctoral candidates from other universities can earn a certificate as well.
AssignmentThe course assumes prior knowledge of linear and mixed-integer optimization.
Before the course, participants are asked to read:
  • 1) Ben-Akiva, M., Bierlaire, M. (1999). Discrete Choice Methods and their Applications to Short Term Travel Decisions. In: Hall, R.W. (eds) Handbook of Transportation Science. International Series in Operations Research & Management Science, vol 23. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5203-1_2
    Chapter book on Discrete Choice Methods in mobility. Participants should focus on the introduction, motivation and features of this type of models.
  • 2) Oliveira, B. B., & Ahipasaoglu, S. D. (2025). Enhancing carsharing pricing and operations through integrated choice models. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 195, 103993. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tre.2025.103993
    An applied paper on optimization in mobility systems. It should be seen as an example of research on mobility that integrates behavior and decision-making in mobility.
RegistrationParticipation is limited (max. 20). 
To register send an e-mail to Dr. Uta Schwarz: uta.schwarz@tu-dresden.de
Phone: +49 351 463-33141

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