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This paper details a new simulation and optimisation based system for personnel scheduling (rostering) of customs staff at the Auckland International Airport, New Zealand. An integrated approach using simulation, heuristic descent, and integer programming techniques has been developed to determine near-optimal staffing levels. The system begins by using a new simulation system embedded within a heuristic search to determine minimum staffing levels for arrival and departure work areas. These staffing requirements are then used as the input to an integer programming model, which optimally allocates full- and part-time staff to each period of the working day. These shifts are then assigned to daily work schedules having a six-day-on, three-day-off structure. The application of these techniques has resulted in significantly lower staffing levels, while at the same time creating both high-quality rosters and ensuring that all passenger processing targets are met. This paper charts the development of this system, outlines failures where they have occurred, and summarises the ongoing impacts of this work on the organisation.

The Microwave Radar Division of the Defence Sciences and Technology Organisation employs synthetic aperture radar to obtain high-resolution images of selected ground targets. It uses this device, mounted on an aircraft, to scan up to 20 rectangular regions called swaths to obtain images with resolutions down to one meter. Missions consisting of a designated sequence of swaths and flight paths are planned using mapping software. Previously DSTO had been determining the best tours for missions by visually tracking possible swath sequences from a starting base to an ending base. This method was time consuming and did not guarantee optimality in terms of distance traveled. We developed optimization software tools to plan mission tours more efficiently. DSTO can now plan missions with up to 20 swaths in a few seconds, rather than the hour it took using the visual approach. Proposed tour lengths show an average improvement of 15 percent over those manually produced. The software incorporates methods for dealing with the operational problems of no-fly zones and shadowing associated with images.

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