01
Resilient Supply Chains & Logistics
Freight and supply networks designed for efficient operations and resilient response under uncertainty or disruption.
Explore area →Research
OptiDec
Optimization & Intelligent Decision Systems Lab
OptiDec is the Optimization & Intelligent Decision Systems Lab led by Sharan Srinivas in Industrial & Systems Engineering at the University of Missouri. The group develops and applies operations research, analytics, simulation, and AI methods to complex operational systems.
Technical Capabilities
These capabilities provide the methodological foundation for research across OptiDec's four application domains.
Optimization
Optimization & Decision Intelligence
MILP · Stochastic & Robust Optimization · Multi-Objective Optimization · Decomposition & Relaxation · Matheuristics
Explore related projects →AlgorithmsLearning-Augmented & Adaptive Algorithms
Learning-Guided Search · Adaptive Metaheuristics · Surrogate-Assisted Optimization · Hybrid Exact-Heuristic Methods · Learning-Augmented Optimization
Explore related projects →AIAI, Analytics & Explainable Decisions
Machine Learning · Explainable AI · Forecasting · GenAI & Text Analytics · Explainable Optimization · Interpretable Decision Models
Explore related projects →SimulationSimulation & Digital Decision Support
Discrete-Event Simulation · Scenario Analysis · Computational Experimentation · Digital Decision-Support Platforms
Explore related projects →AutonomyAutonomous & Multi-Agent Decision Systems
Multi-Agent Coordination · Human-Robot Systems · Dynamic Assignment · Reinforcement Learning · Autonomous Decision-Making
Explore related projects →EmergingEmerging Computational Methods
AI–OR Integration · Learning-Augmented Optimization · Quantum-Assisted Optimization · Hybrid Quantum-Classical Methods · QUBO Formulations
AI–OR integration and emerging computational approaches.Explore related projects →From methods to operational systems
Research Areas
02
Advanced Mobility & Logistics Systems
Optimization and AI for drones, electric fleets, air taxis, and coordinated ground-air logistics.
Explore area →03
Autonomous & Human-Robot Operations
Planning and adaptive coordination for humans, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and autonomous agents.
Explore area →04
Intelligent Production & Service Systems
AI + OR methods that connect operational data and predictions with planning and decision making.
Explore area →Current Research
View all projects →Advancing Anchorage's Freight Transportation Network: A Comprehensive Analysis for Cost-Effective, Safe, and Resilient Operations
Alaska Dept. of Transportation and FHWA
Principal Investigator
Integrates discrete-event simulation and optimization to evaluate freight routing, fleet composition, and infrastructure strategies under demand variability and disruptions. Develops an interactive decision-support toolbox for Anchorage’s multimodal freight network to assess trade-offs among cost, reliability, safety, and resilience.
Electric Truck–Drone Route Management Research Program
PFI-TT: Cloud-based Route Management Platform for Optimizing Last-Mile Logistics of Electric Truck and Drone Operations
National Science Foundation
Principal Investigator
Develops a cloud-based route management platform for last-mile electric-truck and drone operations.
IRES: Advancing Research on Optimizing Collaborative Human-Mobile Robot Operations for Next-Generation Manufacturing and Service Systems
National Science Foundation
Principal Investigator
Connects international research training with optimization of human–mobile robot operations in manufacturing and services.
A Risk-Aware Decision-Support Platform for Commodity Pricing under Market Uncertainty
Universal Metal Coating Company (UNICOIL)
Principal Investigator
Predictive and decision analytics for steel procurement under price uncertainty. The research integrates market data, forecasting models, interactive analytics, and decision-support tools to connect market intelligence with purchasing decisions.
Selected Research Sponsors
Federal, state, and industry sponsors supporting research, student training, and applied research projects.
Research Group
OptiDec brings together graduate and undergraduate researchers working across optimization, AI, analytics, simulation, and complex operational systems.
Meet OptiDec →12 current graduate researchers
PhD and MS researchers contribute alongside undergraduate researchers and participants in NSF-supported research training.
Faculty Lead: Sharan Srinivas50 peer-reviewed journal publications
50+ undergraduates mentored
Selected Publications
View all publications →Electric truck–drone routing problem with flight-sensitive zones and partial truck recharging: A multi-objective optimization framework: publisher page
Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 216, 105149. · 2026
iFreightOps: Platform for Data-driven Freight Transportation Management in Port Operations
IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. · 2026
Collaborative Human–Robot Teaming for Dynamic Order Picking: Interventionist strategies for improving warehouse intralogistics operations: publisher page
Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 197, 104082. · 2025
Integrated maintenance and production scheduling on a single machine with time-based and job-specific deterioration: A matheuristic approach: publisher page
Computers & Operations Research, 107493. · 2026
Predict, then schedule: Prescriptive analytics approach for machine learning-enabled sequential clinical scheduling: publisher page
Computers & Industrial Engineering, 108270. · 2022
OptiDec · Optimization & Intelligent Decision Systems LabFaculty Lead: Sharan Srinivas