Options

The Optimization Options is a parameter file that governs some of the more common attributes of the schedule construction process. Initial day types and starting schedule numbers are defined with a list of options which determine various construction parameters.

The importance of an option is decided by its ranking with 1 being the most important, 2, the next most important, and so on. The options are set in the Signup Default field on the Parameters tab.

The following table explains the Options Situation


Parameter	Description
Minimize number of runs	Minimize the number of runs created.
Minimize linegroup mixing	Minimize the number of shifts that contain more than one of the same line group.
Minimize cost	Minimize the overall cost of minutes paid for all runs in the data set.
Minimize broken runs	Minimize the number of runs with more than one sign-off time.
Minimize straight runs	Minimize the number of runs with one sign-off time.
Minimize number of shifts	Minimize the maximum number of shifts for all runs. A shift can be one or more segments of continual driving separated by a meal break or a compulsory sign-off.
Minimize total spread	Minimize the overall spread of minutes for all runs.
Minimize number of pieces	Minimize the number of continuous driving segments.
Minimize broken spread	When creating broken shifts, reduce the gap between the first sign-off and the second sign-on times.
Minimize time worked	Minimize the number of hours worked.
Minimize one shift runs	Reduce the number of part runs, grouping together where possible multiple part runs to create a full run.
Minimize delay before meal	Schedule the shift breaks at the depot with the minimum time after the completion of the first shift.
Minimize delay before second shift	Schedule the shift breaks at the depot with the minimum time before the start of the second shift.
Minimize ending at foreign garage	Reduce the number of runs that finish at a place other than the home depot.
Minimize total travel time	Reduce the amount of travel time.
Minimize number of bus travels	Reduce the number of runs travelling passenger on service vehicles.
Minimize bus travel time	Reduce the number of minutes spent travelling as passenger on a service vehicle.
Minimize peak cuts	Reduce the number of cuts during the peak times (as shown in the peak 1, peak 2 and peak 3 time ranges).
Minimize Shift Break Time	Minimize the overall shift break time.
Minimize vehicles*	Reduce the number of buses used.
Minimize Dead Running*	Minimize deadhead (non-service or non-revenue) runs.
Minimize Dead Running + Pay*	Minimize deadhead (non-service or non-revenue) runs and reduce cost. Both options are given the same priority rating and a combination effect is produced.
Bus Balancing of Vehicle Classes*	Balance the number of buses by vehicle class used from garages (depots) during peak periods.
Multi Depot Bus Balancing*	Balance the number of buses by vehicle class used from garages (depots) during peak periods. Assists in controlling bus numbers.
Minimize Maximum Meal Gap Excess	Checks that a minimum portion has been worked before allowing an extra meal break in the second portion. (Used with Global constraints: Mealmode and Mealmode 2)
Minimum Total Meal Gap	(Used with Global constraints: Mealmode and Mealmode 2)
User defined option (There are five options: Option 1 to Option 5. Each Option parameter has a sequence parameter.)	Set the importance of an option, with 1 as being the most important.

*These parameters are used with the Allow Relinking option in the Cut dialog.