Announcement:
Professor Jacek Żak, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Logistics at the Poznań University of
Technology in Poland, will give lectures under the SOCRATES / ERASMUS Programme in collaboration with
Professor Cathy Macharis (Vrije Universiteit Brussel - department MOSI / research group MOBI) with the
following presentation topics:
14h00 - 15h45 – The Methodology of Multiple Criteria Decision Making / Aiding in Transportation and
Logistics
The lecture focuses on methodological principles of Multiple Criteria Decision Making / Aiding (MCDM/A) and
their application in the fields of TRANSPORTATION and LOGISTICS. It explains how to solve complex, often
unstructured, multiple criteria decision problems that arise in transportation / logistics. The presentation is
divided into two sections, including: 1. Theoretical background of MCDM/A; 2. Practical application of the
MCDM/A methodology in Transportation / Logistics.
The first part comprises historical overview, basic definitions and methodological rules of MCDM/A. The
multiple criteria decision making / aiding process – its major phases and players – is described in this section.
The first part provides also classification and major features of multiple criteria decision problems as well as the
description of corresponding MCDM/A methods that allow for solving these problems. The rules of solving
different categories of multiple criteria decision problems are demonstrated.
In the second part an extended analysis of 2-3 real life case studies is carried. The analysis includes: verbal
description and mathematical formulation of the decision problem, modeling of Decision Maker’s preferences,
selection of the MCDM/A method, solution procedure – computational experiments and presentation of their
results. The case studies present the solution procedure of at least one multiple criteria ranking problem and one
multiple criteria choice (optimization) problem. The following case studies can be demonstrated:
Redesign of the distribution system. Constructing the optimal network based on single and bi-criteria
optimization. Application of exact algorithms. Multiple criteria optimization of the crew sizing problem.
Allocation of tasks to the employees in a complex transportation / logistics process. Multiple objective
evaluation and ranking of the common carriers - transportation / logistics service providers. The comparison of
different multiple criteria ranking methods. Solving a multiple criteria fleet selection problem – ranking the
vehicles and choosing the most suitable ones for certain transportation jobs. Solving a multiple criteria location
problem – finding the proper location of such facilities as logistics centers, bus terminals or sport events fun
zones.
16h15 - 18h00 - Integration of Public Transportation Systems - Electronic Planner of Passengers' Trips
The lecture presents the concept of “Integration” in the Public Transportation System. Different forms and
methods of integrating urban transportation systems are discussed, including: spatial integration, infrastructural
integration, organizational integration, financial – economical integration and informational integration. The
process of designing “integrated transportation solutions” is demonstrated.
The question of informational integration is discussed in detail and its practical application is described in the
form of an Electronic Planner of Passengers’ Trips. Both web-based portal www.jakdojade.pl and its mobile
version for cellular phones are characterized. Strengths and weaknesses of the proposed solution are presented
and compared with other commercial tools existing on the market. The overall benefits of using electronic
passengers’ trips planners in public transportation are discussed.
The lectures will be held by Prof. Jacek Żak on January 27th 2012 in the promotiezaal "Aloïs Gerlo" D2.01
from 14.00 until 18.00. The lectures are free, but places are limited so please register by mailing to Maggy
Segers (Maggy.Segers@vub.ac.be)
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PROF. JACEK ŻAK – short BIO
Professor Jacek Żak is Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Logistics at the Poznań
University of Technology in Poland. He is a highly recognized international expert in transportation, logistics
and operations management. Prof. Jacek Żak is also a consultant and Board Member in several national and
international companies.
Prof. J. Żak graduated from the Poznań University of Technology (1987) and Adam Mickiewicz University
(1991) in Poznań, Poland. In 1992 – 93 he completed post graduate managerial studies at Harvard University
and the Massachussetts Institute of Technology in Boston, USA in „General Management” and „Operations
Management”. In 1995 he received his Ph. D. from Poznań University of Technology (Ph. D. Program
sponsored by Harvard Business School) and in 2005 his Post Doctoral Degree from Warsaw University of
Technology in Warsaw, Poland.
Prof. J. Żak participated in roughly 100 national and international research and consulting projects
(including Polish – American cooperation and EU projects). He is the author of more than 120 publications,
including articles in highly recognized international journals (Journal of Advanced Transportation, European
Journal of Operational Research, Transportation Research, International Transactions in Operations Research,
Archives of Transport). He developed 20 original training programs in management and carried out 50
customized in-company trainings world-wide.
Prof. J. Żak has received many national and international rewards and distinctions. He has been twice rewarded
the J. W. Fulbright Scholarship – grant for outstanding academic achievements. He carried out his research
projects at the University of California at Berkeley, USA (2003-2004 – senior level) and the Harvard University
in Boston, USA (1994 – 95 – junior level). Prof. Jacek Żak is also a distinguished scholar of the Japanese
Government and a trainee of the Volvo Car Corporation Foundation. He has been awarded a prestigious
scholarship of the Polish Science Foundation and the Scientific Reward of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
He also received a national reward of the Polish Minister of Infrastructure for the best academic handbook
in transportation.
Prof. Jacek Żak has acted as an Editor in the Journal of Advanced Transportation, as Guest Editor and as referee
in several international journals. Prof. J. Żak is an active member of the Scientific Committees of the EURO
Working Group on Transportation and the World Conference on Transport Research Society. Prof. Jacek Żak
has been invited as a Visiting Professor to more than 30 academic institutions in countries including: US,
Canada, Mexico, Korea, India, China, UK, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Italy.