DETECTION RESOURCE ALLOCATION INADVERSARIAL PROBLEMS

We consider the problem of optimally allocating static and dynamic detection resources in order to detect or prevent evaders from reaching their destinations. The evaders may be terrorists or smugglers attempting to enter a facility or illegally cross a border. Examples of static detection resources include sensors that detect people and weapons, cameras and check points. In addition, examples of dynamic detection resources include guards at the borders and unmanned aerial vehicles. It is crucial to use these resources efficiently to increase the detection probabilities of evaders.This study describes two different models built to allocate the available resources. In the first model, we seek an optimal allocation scheme in which only static detection resources are considered. Information asymmetry between the evader and the system designer is utilized and several risk criteria are analyzed. In the second model, both static and dynamic detection resources are considered. We determine an allocation scheme for the static detection resources and an inspection policy for the dynamicdetection resources.The models are built, solved and analyzed using integer programming, stochastic programming and game theory techniques. Structural properties of the models are explored and heuristic algorithms are developed to solve larger problem instances