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.