Rakesh Suresh Kulkarni

Model-Based Dynamic Pricing Algorithm for Managed Lanes

Managed lanes, or high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes, have been implemented across the United States to improve the utility of existing road facilities. The pricing algorithm in managed lanes is the critical component in ensuring that the desired level of service metrics is met. Some pricing algorithms currently in use are static algorithms, and others adopt a dynamic strategy. Static pricing algorithms do not account for the changes in real-time traffic conditions. However, dynamic pricing algorithms are reactive in nature and do not account for the potential demand for actual future time intervals for which the toll is determined. The HOT-lane system is nonlinear and complex in nature; this complexity leads to high levels of instability in such a system. The complexity has been increasing because of the growth in demand as well as incorporation of other, noninteracting strategies that are implemented to address this demand. Therefore, more sophisticated designs of the pricing algorithm are needed for HOT-lane pricing control. A model-based pricing algorithm is proposed for determining the toll rate dynamically to maximize the throughput on the HOT lanes while maintaining a desired level of service. It consists of both proactive and reactive components to achieve fast response to real-time changes and maintain a steady, maximal traffic flow. The controller structure also incorporates active bottleneck management to maintain optimal traffic flow under stressed conditions. Implementation of this controller has shown high utilization of HOT lanes while ensuring the desired level of service.

Evaluating and improving the robustness of a video-based PR/RR monitoring system for a clinical environment

With the advancement and use of low cost cameras, video-based remote vital-monitoring technologies have drawn more and more attention. However, many of the previously proposed techniques rely on the assumption that the video is acquired under well-controlled conditions. There has been no study reported around how various acquisition factors and/or noise will affect the estimation accuracy. In this paper, we describe a systematic approach in understanding the challenges of extending the technology beyond a well-controlled environment and share the solution paths in making the technology robust in one specific application. The systematic approach involves first understanding the data analysis process, identifying key factors that affect the algorithms and then estimating the bounds of the factors and metrics that explain the variations in these vitals. As part of the solution paths, our paper goes into the details of how the algorithms were improved to address the findings of the current state. The refinement in the algorithms includes getting stronger signals in less controlled setting.

Orchestrating the print supply chain in emerging markets

Print supply chain includes document design, material procurement, document creation, production, warehousing and delivery. Several small and medium scale industry players are involved in this supply chain process. Thus the print supply chain network is a loosely coupled system of spatially dispersed independent companies, working together for delivering value to the customer. This network consists of specialists in printing and complementary players such as packaging companies, logistics providers, IT companies, etc. Our focus in this paper is to design an orchestrator for the governance of end to end print service chain network in consumer oriented sectors such as banking, retail and insurance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The orchestrator typically does three functions: partner selection, supply chain planning and supply chain execution. In this paper, we concentrate on the second step - the supply chain planning and scheduling and develop a mixed integer programming model, illustrating it with an example.

Image on paper registration measurement and analysis: determining subsystem contributions from a system level measurement

An important print quality attribute of digital printing equipment deals with the absolute position of the printed image relative to the page. Historically, the most precise method of measuring image to paper (IOP) registration is by scanning a printed sheet on a flatbed scanner. These measurements have been limited to sheets smaller than the full capacity of the printer. In addition, the precision of the measurement has been limited by the accuracy of the scanner itself and the measurement of a few (~4) points on the page have limited the information that can be gathered. The new method proposed in this paper measures IOP registration throughout the sheet in a more precise manner. In a similar fashion, the relative position of the image on both the simplex and duplex side of the print can be determined. In addition, the new method helps link the source of registration errors to individual sub-systems. By generating the individual error sources from a printed sheet enables the understanding of the percentage contribution of each sub-system, prioritizes efforts to obtain better IOP performance, finds initial IOP setup errors of a printing engine, compares different technologies affecting IOP registration in sub-systems and potentially acts as a diagnostic tool for individual sub-systems.