Coursework
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
14.385 Nonlinear Econometric Analysis (Fall 2003-2004)
Micro-econometric models, including large sample theory for estimation and
hypothesis testing, generalized method of moments, estimation of censored
and truncated specifications and duration models, nonparametric and semiparametric
estimation, panel data, bootstrapping, and simulation methods. Methods illustrated
with economic applications.
Instructor: Whitney Newey
1.206 Airline Schedule Planning (Spring
2002-2003)
Explores a variety of models and optimization techniques for the solution
of airline schedule planning problems. Schedule design, fleet assignment,
aircraft maintenance routing, crew scheduling, robust planning, integrated
schedule planning, and other topics are addressed. Models and solution techniques
are surveyed and state-of-the-art applications of these techniques to airline
problems are presented.
Instructor: Cynthia Barnhart
2.098/15.093 Optimization Methods (Fall
2002-2003)
Subject introduces the principal algorithms for linear, network, discrete,
nonlinear, dynamic optimization and optimal control. Emphasis on methodology
and the underlying mathematical structures. Topics include the simplex method,
network flow methods, branch and bound and cutting plane methods for discrete
optimization, optimality conditions for nonlinear optimization, interior point
methods for convex optimization, Newton's method, heuristic methods, and
dynamic programming and optimal control methods.
Textbooks:
(a) Dimitris Bertsimas and John N. Tsitsiklis. Introduction
to Linear Optimization Athena Scientific, 1997.
(b) Dimitri P. Bertsekas. Nonlinear Programming
Athena Scientific, 1999.
Instructor: Paul Tseng
1.258 Public Transportation Service and Operations
Planning (Fall 2002-2003)
Evolution and role of urban public transportation modes, systems, and services,
focussing on bus and rail. Description of technological characteristics and
their impacts on capacity, service quality, and cost. Current practice and
new methods for data collection and analysis, performance monitoring, route
design, frequency determination, and vehicle and crew scheduling. Effect of
pricing policy and service quality on ridership. Methods for estimating costs
associated with proposed service changes.
Instructor: Nigel Wilson
6.431 Applied Probability (Fall 2000-2001)
Meets with undergraduate subject 6.041. Requires the completion of additional
advanced home problems.
Modeling, quantification, and analysis of uncertainty. Formulation and solution
in sample space. Random variables, transform techniques, simple random processes
and their probability distributions, Markov processes, limit theorems, and
elements of statistical inference. Interpretations, applications, and lecture
demonstrations. Meets with graduate subject 6.431, but assignments differ.
Instructor: Dimitri Bertsekas
1.205 Advanced Demand Modeling (Fall 2000-2001)
Advanced theories and applications of behavior models for analysis and forecasting
of demand of facilities, services, and products. Different advanced and topical
subjects are presented each week. Topics vary each year. Typical topics include:
linear and nonlinear latent variable models, estimation techniques with multiple
data sources, joint discrete and continuous choice models, dynamic models,
analysis of complex choices, estimation and forecasting with very large choice
sets, multidimensional probabilistic choice models, advanced choice models
including PROBIT, mixed LOGIT and LOGIT KERNEL, simulation methods, survey
design, model transferability, and use of stated preference data. Required
assignments: a paper review and a term paper. Alternate years.
Instructor: Moshe Ben-Akiva
1.203 Logistical and Transportation Planning
Methods (Fall 2000-2001)
Quantitative techniques of operations research with emphasis on applications
in transportation systems analysis (urban, air, ocean, highway, and pickup
and delivery systems) and in the planning and design of logistically oriented
urban service systems (e.g., fire and police departments, emergency medical
services, and emergency repair services). Unified study of functions of random
variables, geometrical probability, multi-server queuing theory, spatial location
theory, network analysis and graph theory, and relevant methods of simulation.
Computer exercises and discussions of implementation difficulties.
Textbook:
Richard C. Larson and Amedeo R. Odoni. Urban Operations
Research Prentice-Hall, 1981.
Instructors: Amedeo Odoni, Arnold Barnett and Richard Larson
6.855/15.082 Network Optimization (Spring
1999-2000)
Network models for industrial logistics systems, transportation systems, communication
systems, and other applications. Emphasizes a rigorous treatment of algorithms
and their efficiency—algorithms for shortest routes, maximum flows, minimum
cost flows, traffic equilibrium, and network design. Implementation issues.
Textbook:
Ravindra K. Ahuja, Thomas L. Magnanti and James B.
Orlin. Network Flows: Theory, Algorithms and Applications Elsevier
North-Holland, Inc., 1989.
Instructor: Andreas Shultz
1.204 Computer Algorithms for System Analysis
(Spring 1999-2000)
Instructor: Ismail Chabini
1.202 Demand Modeling (Spring 1999-2000)
Theory and application of modeling and statistical methods for analysis and
forecasting demand of facilities, services, and products. Topics include:
review of probability and statistics; estimation and testing of linear regression
models; theory of individual choice behavior; theory, estimation, and testing
of discrete choice models (including logit, nested logit, GEV, probit, Logit
Kernel and Mixed Logit); estimation under various sample designs and data
collection methods (including revealed and stated preferences); aggregate
forecasting methods; and matrix entry estimation methods. Lecture material
is reinforced with case studies, which require specification, estimation,
testing, and analysis of models using data sets from transportation and telecommunications
applications.
Textbook:
Moshe E. Ben-Akiva and Steven R. Lerman.
Discrete Choice Analysis: Theory
and Application to Travel Demand MIT Press, 1985.
Instructor: Moshe Ben-Akiva
1.225 Transportation Flow Systems (Fall
1999-2000)
Design, operation, and management of traffic flows over complex transportation
networks. Covers two major topics: traffic flow modeling and traffic flow
operations. Deterministic and probabilistic models, elements of queueing theory,
and traffic assignment. Concepts are illustrated through various applications
and case studies. Half-term subject offered second half of term.
Instructor: Ismail Chabini
1.224 Carrier Systems (Fall 1999-2000)
Carrier systems involve the design, operation, and management of transportation
networks, assets, personnel, freight, and passengers. A number of different
carrier systems are contrasted while models and tools for analyzing, optimizing,
planning, managing, and controlling these systems are presented. Half-term
subject offered second half of term.
Instructors: Cynthia Barnhart and Nigel Wilson
1.223 Transportation Policy, Strategy and Management
(Fall 1999-2000)
A survey subject of current concepts, theories, and issues in strategic management
of transportation organizations. Provides transportation logistics and engineering
systems students with an overview of the operating context, leadership challenges,
strategies, and management tools that are used in today's public and private
transportation organizations. The following concepts, tools, and issues are
presented in both public and private sector cases: alternative models of decision-making,
strategic planning (e.g., use of SWOT analysis and scenario development),
stakeholder valuation and analysis, government-based regulation and cooperation
within the transportation enterprise, disaster communications, systems safety,
change management, and the impact of globalization.
Instructors: Joseph Coughlin and Joseph Sussman
1.222 Transportation Demand and Economics (Fall
1999-2000)
Theory and applications concerning the demand and economics of transportation
systems. Economic theories of the firm, the consumer and the market, cost
models and production functions for passenger and freight demand, pricing
theory and application to transportation systems, technological change, resource
allocation, market structure and regulation in the transportation industry,
and project evaluation for transportation systems. Half-term subject offered
in the first half of term.
Textbooks:
(a) Kenneth A. Small. Urban Transportation Economics
Harwood Academic Publishers, 1992.
(b) Jose Gomez-Ibanez, William B. Tye and Clifford Winston
(eds). Essays in Transportation Economics and Policy: A Handbook in Honor
of John R. Meyer Brookings Institution Press, 1999.
Instructors: Moshe Ben-Akiva and Carl Martland
1.221 Introduction to Transportation Systems
(Fall 1999-2000)
Introduces transportation as a large-scale, integrated system that interacts
directly with the social, political, and economic aspects of contemporary
society. Fundamental elements and issues shaping passenger and freight transportation
systems. Underlying principles governing transportation planning, investment,
operations, and maintenance. System performance and level-of-service metrics
and the determinants of transportation travel demand. Design of transportation
services and facilities for various modes and intermodal operations. Half-term
subject offered in first half of term.
Instructor: Joseph Sussman
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras