Agent-based models and machine learning in decision support systems

The context of this book is the development of a spatial decision support system to train and support people in dealing with the vital problem of resource allocation for disaster response activities in urban areas. The goal is to design a method that combines agent-based models, geographical information systems, participatory design and machine learning to address three points: building rescue simulations that integrate all available information and behaviors; enabling stakeholders to interact directly with the agents of the simulation in order to teach them relevant behaviors; designing a learning mechanism to acquire these behaviors through an automated, online and interactive way, and to effectively translate the knowledge and experience that stakeholders use in organizing rescue missions into agents behaviors. This approach not only improves the (simulated) effectiveness of rescue activities but also makes the simulation model more realistic. It allows stakeholders to acquire better understanding of rescue issues and become more experienced in emergency response. The tools & methodologies designed can be quite easily generalized to other contexts in which similar issues arise.