Agent-based model of maritime search operations: A validation using test-driven simulation modelling

Maritime search operations (and search operations in general) are one of the classic applications of Operational Research (OR). This paper presents a generic agent-based model for maritime search operations which can be used to analyse operations such as search and rescue and patrol. Agent-based simulation (ABS) is a relatively new addition to existing OR techniques. The key elements of an ABS model are agents, their behaviours and their interactions with other agents and the environment. A search operation involves at least two types of agent: a searcher and a target. The unique characteristic of ABS is that we model agents´ behaviours and their interactions at the individual level. Hence, ABS offers an alternative modelling approach to analyse search operations. The second objective of our work is to show how test-driven simulation modelling (TDSM) can be used to validate the agent-based maritime search-operation model.