Applications of Machine Learning in Revenue Management and Routing

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Authors

Achtari, Guyves

Date

Type

thesis

Language

eng

Keyword

Dynamic Pricing , Revenue Management , Bayesian Updating , Thompson Sampling , DEA , GIS , Multi-Objective Optimization

Research Projects

Organizational Units

Journal Issue

Alternative Title

Abstract

In this thesis, I use machine learning techniques to solve issues in revenue management and public transportation design. The first two chapters relate to problems of revenue management and online learning. The problem of sequential learning and optimization of the demand function has been an important topic in revenue management. Finding the optimal policy faces numerical complexity and is prone to the curse of dimensionality. It is mostly solved using heuristics and restrictive assumptions. In the first chapter, I use a novel non-parametric approach to solving dynamic pricing and learning problems. I develop a flexible method to approximate the optimal policy using polynomial approximation, thus reducing complexity. I make use of the Bayesian framework to update the probability model and make advances in numerical methods to solve this problem. In the second chapter, I use a machine learning heuristic called Thompson sampling. I improve the performance of the heuristic over short horizons by enforcing the decreasing nature of the demand function in the sampling algorithm. Using a stylized proof, I demonstrate the performance gains associated with this method and show the merits of ordered sampling with Thompson Sampling over short horizons. The last chapter makes use of a machine learning approach called data envelopment analysis (DEA), which I use in designing new public transportation routes in rural regions. I develop algorithms and heuristics to balance cost and equity under multiple objectives. The solution to this project was implemented in the city of Quinte West, Ontario.

Description

Citation

Publisher

License

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.

Journal

Volume

Issue

PubMed ID

External DOI

ISSN

EISSN