arXiv subjects

Giovanni Pantuso

Publications and source records attributed to Giovanni Pantuso.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Pricing mobility services under decision-dependent demand uncertainty: a carsharing case

The problem of pricing mobility services has attracted significant attention. In most studies, uncertain demand is modeled as an exogenous random variable with known distribution. This assumption overlooks the likely effect of prices on user adoption decisions. To address this dependency, we formulate the pricing problem as a stochastic program with decision-dependent demand uncertainty. Specifically, we make the non-standard assumption that the probability distribution of demand depends on pricing decisions. We show that the problem can be written as a mixed-integer linear program whose size is exponential in the input parameters. To find exact numerical solutions we specialize the L-shaped method for stochastic programs with decision-dependent uncertainty. In particular, we devise efficient separation routines by proving closed-form primal and dual solutions to the involved subproblems. In addition, we develop problem-specific valid inequalities and cut-sharing mechanisms which significantly improve convergence. We show that the method outperforms by far a commercial solver used to solve the monolithic formulation. Furthermore, in a case study based on a real-world carsharing system, we show that incorporating decision-dependent uncertainty improves expected profits by 8.39% compared to a benchmark that considers deterministic price-elastic demand, and by 8.53% compared to a benchmark that considers exogenous random demand, on average. In addition, we evaluate the performance of preventive pricing and relocation decisions under two vehicle allocation policies. The results suggest that a controlled allocation of vehicles to customers can improve service rates while only marginally affecting profits.

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arXiv2025

Solution of Stochastic Facility Location Problems with Combinatorially many Decision-Dependent Distributions

This article describes a model and an exact solution method for facility location problems with decision-dependent uncertainties. The model allows characterizing the probability distribution of the random elements as a function of the choice of open facilities. This, in turn, generates a combinatorial number of potential distributions of the random elements. Though general in the relationship between location decisions and distributions, the proposed model is, however, exponential in size. We show that the problem can be solved efficiently by a recent finitely convergent method for stochastic programs with decision-dependent uncertainty, for which we tight prove cutting planes and efficient valid inequalities. Extensive tests show that facility location problems with up to $2^{17}$ potential distributions and hundreds of thousand scenarios are solved within minutes. These results indentify a promising solution strategy for other combinatorial optimization problems characterized by decision-dependent uncertanty.

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arXiv2025

Production Planning Under Demand and Endogenous Supply Uncertainty

We study the problem of determining how much finished goods inventory to source from different capacitated facilities in order to maximize profits resulting from sales of such inventory. We consider a problem wherein there is uncertainty in demand for finished goods inventory and production yields at facilities. Further, we consider that uncertainty in production yields is endogenous, as it depends on both the facilities where a product is produced and the volumes produced at those facilities. We model the problem as a two stage stochastic program and propose an exact, Benders-based algorithm for solving instances of the problem. We prove the correctness of the algorithm and with an extensive computational study demonstrate that it outperforms known benchmarks. Finally, we establish the value in modeling uncertainty in both demands and production yields.

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arXiv2025

The L-Shaped Method for Stochastic Programs with Decision-Dependent Uncertainty

In this paper we extend the well-known L-Shaped method to solve two-stage stochastic programming problems with decision-dependent uncertainty. The method is based on a novel, unifying, formulation and on distribution-specific optimality and feasibility cuts for both linear and integer stochastic programs. Extensive tests on three production planning problems illustrate that the method is extremely effective on large-scale instances.

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arXiv2023

Zonification and Pricing in Carsharing

In this article we address the problem of partitioning a carsharing business area into pricing zones. We formalize the problem mathematically and show that the resulting partitioning problem can be formulated as a binary integer programming problem. The partitioning problem is then extended to include pricing decisions, yielding the first joint zonification and pricing problem. The resulting mixed integer (possibly nonlinear) programming problem is solved exactly using an ad-hoc integer Benders decomposition for which we define effective problem-specific improvements. Extensive tests based on a real-world carsharing system demonstrate that the method outperforms a state-of-the-art commercial solver on problems of size comparable to those encountered in real-world instances. Furthermore, by jointly optimizing prices and pricing zones, we observe a profit increase of 7.01% compared to a zip code-based prior partition of the business area, and of 25.61% compared to a scenario where the business area is not partitioned.

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arXiv2022

Exact solutions to a carsharing pricing and relocation problem under uncertainty

In this article we study the problem of jointly deciding carsharing prices and vehicle relocations. We consider carsharing services operating in the context of multi-modal urban transportation systems. Pricing decisions take into account the availability of alternative transport modes, and customer preferences with respect to these. In order to account for the inherent uncertainty in customer preferences, the problem is formulated as a mixed-integer two-stage stochastic program with integer decision variables at both stages. We propose an exact solution method for the problem based on the integer L-Shaped method which exploits an efficient exact algorithm for the solution of the subproblems. Tests on artificial instances based on the city of Milan illustrate that the method can solve, or find good solutions to, moderately sized instances for which a commercial solver fails. Furthermore, our results suggest that, by adjusting prices between different zones of the city, the operator can attract significantly more demand than with a fixed pricing scheme and that such a pricing scheme, coupled with a sufficiently large fleet, significantly reduces the relevance of staff-based relocations. A number of issues, that remain to be addressed in future research, are pointed out in our conclusions.

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arXiv2021

A Node Formulation for Multistage Stochastic Programs with Endogenous Uncertainty

This paper introduces a node formulation for multistage stochastic programs with endogenous (i.e., decision-dependent) uncertainty. Problems with such structure arise when the choices of the decision maker determine a change in the likelihood of future random events. The node formulation avoids an explicit statement of non-anticipativity constraints, and as such keeps the dimension of the model sizeable. An exact solution algorithm for a special case is introduced and tested on a case study. Results show that the algorithm outperforms a commercial solver as the size of the instances increases.

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arXiv2020

Maximizing performance with an eye on the finances: a chance-constrained model for football transfer market decisions

Composing a team of professional players is among the most crucial decisions in association football. Nevertheless, transfer market decisions are often based on myopic objectives and are questionable from a financial point of view. This paper introduces a chance-constrained model to provide analytic support to club managers during transfer windows. The model seeks a top-performing team while adapting to different budgets and financial-risk profiles. In addition, it provides a new rating system that is able to numerically reflect the on-field performance of football players and thus contribute to an objective assessment of football players. The model and rating system are tested on a case study based on real market data. The data from the case study are available online for the benefit of future research.

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