Evolutionary resource scheduler for linear projects

Linear projects, such as, highways, tunnels, and pipelines, represent a class of construction projects typically characterized by their repetitive, but rather few, activities. As common in any construction project, the proper management of construction resources plays a vital role in its successful execution. This is by no means different for the case of linear projects. In recognition of this fact, the paper presents a genetic algorithm-based system for performing the necessary task of resource scheduling in linear projects under the linear scheduling method (LSM) scheme. Resource scheduling, particularly through the resource leveling process, is performed via minimizing either the day-to-day fluctuations in resource usage or the daily deviations from the average resource usage. This process further encompasses optimizing the rate of progress and buffer for each project activity. Implementation of the study was conducted using AutoLISP programming under AutoCAD(TM). For verifying the results, a comparison with another contemporary study in resource scheduling/leveling for linear projects is carried out. An actual highway construction project is used for the comparison, where the presented approach shows broadly satisfying results. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.