Agent models to control complexity in multi modal transport

We present a Multi-Agent System for communication in the transport sector. It is part of an ‘Intelligent Communication Platform for Multi Modal Transport’ that is called MamMoeT. The motivation for a communication platform stems from the observed need for support in maintaining evolving partnerships as well as for the establishment of new partnerships. We observed a lack of commonly accepted tools to obtain quantifiable and live information. Examples are position of freight and vehicles, expected arrival and waiting times as well as alternative routes and transport modes. Multi-Agent Systems provide appropriate models for the communication platform. In the transport sector, which is distributed by nature, models with autonomous agents representing each of the logistic players match better to the requirements than one central information system would. The presented model explicitly addresses the transparency and privacy issues in order to increase the level of acceptance of this type of software platform. We introduce three models: an agent model, a privacy model and a communication model and elaborate upon negotiation, communication and cooperation skills of the agents. ispartof: pages:73-83 ispartof: ECUMICT pages:73-83 ispartof: ECUMICT location:Gent date:30 Mar - 31 Mar 2006 status: published