Optimizing winter road maintenance operations under real-time information

This paper introduces a real-time optimization model that can be used by maintenance managers to develop and evaluate alternative resources allocation plans for winter road maintenance operations. The model takes into account a wide range of road and weather condition factors such as road network topology, road class, weather forecasts, and contractual service levels, and produces a vehicle dispatch schedule that is optimal with respect to operating costs and quality of service. The model is then used in an analysis on a realistic case to illustrate the potential impact of improved information on winter maintenance operations.