Upcoming Events for ISL
Fall 2025
Brown Bags
Dr. Qianwen (Vivian) Guo (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering)
Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Venue: Zoom
Abstract: As quantum computing transitions from theory to application, its ability to address complex optimization challenges has attracted significant attention. In transportation planning, classical algorithms often struggle with the combinatorial complexity of large-scale problems, particularly in contexts like bilevel optimization, where strategic and operational decisions interact hierarchically. While the problem of designing bus routes to improve accessibility for seniors is well-established, existing methods rely entirely on classical solvers, which struggle to scale with problem size. This computational bottleneck limits the practical deployment of inclusive and efficient transit strategies in urban settings. To address this gap, we propose a hybrid quantum-classical optimization framework that incorporates the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) into an existing model for bus route design. The framework consists of an upper-level model (ULM), solved with a classical optimizer to minimize average walking distances for seniors, and a lower-level model (LLM), reformulated as a Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) problem and solved using QAOA via IBM Qiskit to generate efficient, feasible route configurations. Simulations on a grid-based scenario demonstrate that the quantum-inspired approach can identify new stop placements that bring all target communities within a 400-meter walking radius, while keeping total route length within acceptable limits. This confirms the potential of QAOA to effectively handle combinatorial subproblems that are otherwise computationally intensive for classical methods. It also showcases the feasibility of applying quantum techniques to real-world infrastructure challenges, offering a template for future integration of quantum computing into smart city planning.
More Brown Bag Series
TBD
About ISL Events
The Institute for Successful Longevity (ISL) organizes a variety of events throughout the year to foster collaboration, innovation, and the exchange of ideas. These events bring together thought leaders, researchers, and the community to discuss important topics related to longevity, health, and aging.
