Simulation-based, ontology driven resource plan development

Abstract

This paper describes the use of a planning ontology of the domain of Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul [MRO] at a USAF depot to produce a discrete event simulation model of the aircraft ramp. The ramp is a very flexible, critical, shared resource for aircraft production. The "found work" variability inherent in the MRO process forces the ramp allocations and routing to be modified frequently. Unplanned aircraft moves are expensive and propagate queuing congestion and more moves. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a Rapid Ramp Reconfiguration Plan (RRRP). Ontology models allow the language of the planner to be harmonized with the language of the simulation analyst to speed model development. Simulation based planning is useful to mitigate the impact of "discovered work" by enabling the evaluation of and best selection from thousands of potential ramp resource allocation scenarios. © 2007 IEEE.