Abstract: A method for optimizing package-oriented network traffic control is proposed which can involve constraints to the optimization model which emerged dynamically during the optimization period. Thus, unpredictable events can be considered amongst foreseeable events during the optimization process. For achieving this the method according to the invention uses graphs which are dynamically generated and eventually be varied during the optimization process for managing the above said complex inter-dependencies. Unexpected changes of the time and loading schedules can be balanced and their negative impact on just in-time delivery of goods can be lowered. Generally, transport costs are reduced and natural resources are saved. In a preferred embodiment of the inventional method a variable time buffer extension is introduced which is used to extend the availability of the transport vehicle's capacity.

Abstract: In a process and a system for automatic, computer-system-supported optimization and the search for a state x dependent on at least one parameter P, for which f(x) as a measure of the quality of x assumes an extremum, an initial solution, i.e. a state x, is found as an initial state and a further state y different from x is found by means of an elementary change in an individual parameter P from x. If the result of a comparison of the target function values f(x) and f(y) is that f(y) is poorer than f(x) by more than a threshold value T, y is rejected, x is retained and a fresh adjacent state of x is found. If f(y) is at least as great as f(x)-T, there is a transition to state y. The threshold T is successively reduced to zero.