GTrans: An Application for Managing Mixed-Initiative Collaborative Planning during Emergency Response Situations

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• GTrans An Application for Managing
  Mixed-Initiative Collaborative Planning during
  Emergency Response Situations

Trivikram Immaneni and Michael T. Cox Computer
Science and Engineering Department Wright State
University Dayton, OH 45435 timmanen,mcox_at_cs.wri
ght.edu http//www.cs.wright.edu/mcox/gtrans/
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Problem

• Resource constraints often prevent perfect plans
  from being assembled
• Users can either shift resources or shift goals
• In information saturated scenarios what is the
  view presented to the user
• Selective Filtering present only relevant
  details

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GTrans Goal Transformation

• GTrans A Mixed-Initiative Planning System
• Planning as Goal Manipulation Metaphor instead
  of Search metaphor

Problem
PRODIGY/AGENT
Plan
Domain File
Constraints
Single User / Single Planner
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Collaborative Planning

• Support of collaborative mixed initiative
  planning among multiple users
• Initial Approach Present a single unified view
  of a planning scenario, associated resources and
  shared goals

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GTrans Modes of Operation

• Separate Planning Mode
• Separate, stand alone planning without access to
  other
• users information
• Info-Sharing Mode
• User is aware of the problems on which the other
  users
• in the system are working
• Joint Planning Mode
• - Multiple users can collaborate to solve a
  problem

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Architecture
Problem
PRODIGY/AGENT
Agent 1
Plan
Domain File
Joint Planning mode
Constraints
Problem
PRODIGY/AGENT
Server
Plan
Agent 2
Domain File
Constraints
Separate Planning mode
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Design of the Emergency Response Domain

• To put out a fire
• - Need a security vehicle to secure the scene
  of incident
• - Need a fire truck to put out the fire
• A single fire truck can put out one fire and
  contain an arbitrary number of fires
• To manage a chemical spill
• - Need security/ fire personnel to help the
  Hazmat Team (evacuate the area etc.)
• - Need a Hazmat Team to take care of the
  spill

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Emergency Response Domain Example
Agent 1
Agent 2

• Agent 1 needs Agent 2s Sheriff Car

• Agent 2 needs Agent 1s Hazmat Team

• Agent 1 needs to perform Goal Transformation

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Emergency Response Domain Example
Agent 1
Agent 2

• Agent 1 needs Agent 2s Sheriff Car

• Agent 2 needs Agent 1s Hazmat Team

• Agent 1 needs to perform Goal Transformation

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Issues with the Unified Approach

• Details presented may not be relevant
• - may overwhelm the users
• - need a filtering mechanism
• Lack of ownership Anyone can use any resource
• User assumes that the resource is available

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Shared Objects

• Supports selective static filtering
• Server acts as a Repository of resources
• User can request the server for a resource
• Only one user can use a resource at a time
• Server controls the visibility of resources
• User has to release the resource after use

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Shared Objects Example
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Future Research

• Detecting Goal interactions
• - User 1 wants to secure a site by placing
  roadblock
• - User 2 wants to drive an ambulance to the
  site to assist
• the burn victims
• - Use of planning monitors
• Dynamic filtering
• - View presented to the user must change
  with the change
• in the scenario
• Alternative Representation of Goals
• - Not everyone can easily understand
• (outcome-putout-fires xenia1)

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Conclusion

• Mixed-initiative planning is well-suited for
  planning in emergency situations
• Human user plays an active role in the planning
  process
• GTrans helps multiple users to get a better
  perspective on the situation and provides a
  framework using which multiple users can
  negotiate

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Questions