Seminar Details
2022-11-08 (14h) : Learning to Optimize Network Systems via Online Optimization and Control Theory with Applications to Traffic Control
At Euler building (room a.002)
Organized by Mathematical Engineering
Speaker :
Bianchin, Gianluca
Abstract :
Operating networked dynamical systems at an optimal setpoint in the presence of humansin-
the loop constitutes one of the most central and impactful problems ahead of systems and control
theory. Motivated by this, in this talk I will first present my work on the development of feedback-based
optimization algorithms as one of the most fundamental tools that enable to simultaneously control and
optimize modern cyber-physical-human systems. I will begin by reviewing some of the classical techniques
in numerical optimization and by showing how these can be translated to solve complex control problems.
I will then demonstrate how these algorithms can be adapted to control dynamical systems whose model
is unknown, and how data-driven control techniques can be combined with online optimization methods.
In the second part of the talk and motivated by the first, I will focus on applications in traffic control and
demonstrate how strategic decisions made by humans negatively impact the stability of modern traffic
networks. I will show how control-theoretic tools can be used to prevent oscillatory congestion in traffic
systems via proper design of the information that is made available to humans. While specific focus
will be given to traffic management problems, these results are relevant for a wide range of applications
ranging from energy management to the control of epidemic outbreaks.