OVERVIEW

Optimization is the discipline that concerns the investigation of the algorithms for searching the points of minimum or maximum of cost functions and functionals.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide students with basic and advanced skills on the properties and control of dynamic systems, with a focus on the control of traffic systems. Knowledge will be provided on the treatment of linear and non-linear systems, as well as on the concept of equilibrium point and stability. On the control side, optimisation-based controllers will be developed to minimise KPIs typical of the traffic networks domain, focusing on both complete and incomplete information problems.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at achieving the ability to model dynamical systems and solve control problems that may require the optimization of performance indices. Attendance and active participation in lessons and individual study will allow the student to
- know in depth the structural properties of linear and nonlinear dynamical systems;
- apply the results of the theory developed on dynamical systems to simple case studies related to traffic networks;
- study and determine control policies for traffic systems.

TEACHING METHODS

Theoretical lectures and exercises for a number of about 45 hours on the overall. 

The course is delivered in a blended and hybrid format, with face-to-face lectures (held at the Polytechnic School) that can also be attended remotely. All lectures will be recorded and made available for asynchronous access.

Students with a certified learning disability (DSA), a disability, or other special educational needs are invited to contact the instructor at the beginning of the course to discuss teaching and examination arrangements that, while respecting the learning objectives of the course, take individual learning needs into account and provide appropriate accommodations. Please also note that requests for exam accommodations or exemptions must be submitted – using the form available at this link: https://modulionline.unige.it/richiesta-adattamenti#no-back– to the course professor, the DIME contact person (federico.scarpa@unige.it), and the relevant office (inclusione.studenti@info.unige.it) at least seven working days before the examination, in accordance with the guidelines available at this link: https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/richiesta-servizi

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Introduction to Dynamical Systems
 

•     Continuous and discrete time systems
•     Linear systems
•     Linearization

Equilibrium and Stability of Dynamic Systems
 

•     Concept of equilibrium point
•     Stability of continuous-time and discrete-time linear and nonlinear systems

Control and applications
 

•     Introduction to control
•     Linear and Nonlinear MPC with applications to traffic systems
•     Decentralized control for traffic systems
•     Optimal control for traffic system with limited information
•     Dynamic traffic assignment

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

D. Xue, Y. Chen, D.P. Atherton, Linear Feedback Control: Analysis and Design with MATLAB (Advances in Design and Control), SIAM, 2007.

D. Bertsekas, Introduction to Linear Optimization, Athena Scientific, 1997.

Specific guidance regarding the reference bibliography and any materials available to specific categories of students (working students, non-attending students, and students with certified learning disorders, disabilities, or other special educational needs) will be provided by the professor at the beginning of the course.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/11920/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written examination (with possible oral check) based on exam dates. Students with learning disorders ("Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento", DSA) will be allowed to use specific modalities and supports that will be determined on a case-by-case basis in agreement with the delegate of the Engineering courses in the Committee for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities."

There will be 3 examination appointments for the winter session (mid-January to February) and 4 appointments for the summer session (June, July and September).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written examination will focus on exercises related to the topics covered, e.g. the determination of properties of dynamical systems that are the subject of the course. While the oral examination is also designed to test the student's critical and analytical skills.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For questions, contact the lecturer to agree on the time of meeting.