ON THE APPLICATIONS OF OPTIMAL CONTROL THEORY AND DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING IN SHIP ROUTING

S. J. BIJLSMA

Peer Reviewed

Abstract:	In this paper, the maximum principle of optimal control theory and the method of dynamic programming are discussed in relation to the minimization of fuel consumption in ship routing. The connection between the two methods is indicated for the case in which ship routing is treated as a continuous process, meaning that the sailing paths are not restricted to arcs of a grid as in the discrete dynamic programming method, but can vary continuously in the navigation area. Practical aspects are also discussed, such as the discrete approach of dynamic programming, as well as the finite version of the continuous approach and the limited predictability of the weather. Results are presented showing least-time routes, which are obtained with computational methods based on the maximum principle and the corresponding continuous type of dynamic programming.
Published in:	NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation, Volume 49, Number 2
Pages:	71 - 80
Cite this article:	BIJLSMA, S. J., "ON THE APPLICATIONS OF OPTIMAL CONTROL THEORY AND DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING IN SHIP ROUTING", NAVIGATION: Journal of The Institute of Navigation, Vol. 49, No. 2, Summer 2002, pp. 71-80.
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