I am trying to formulate the following dynamic programming model: Along the shortest route, I have gas stations and hotels. The tank capacity is U and I can drive for a maximum of 8 hours or (R). I am averaging a speed of 70 mph. Gas and hotel prices are different at each node. What is the minimum cost to travel from point a to b, considering the number of stops to be S. Where should I stop for gas and how much should I fill, also where should I stop for hotels? It has to be using dynamic programming backward or forward. I need objective function, recursion, argument, policy function, and boundary condition.
I am a PhD in Mechanical Engineering with extensive Matlab simulation skills for solving Richard Bellman's dynamic programming optimal control problems. In addition to your intended deliverable, I will provide you the following:
1. A mathematical expression to represent your dynamic programming problem.
2. A mathematical expression to represent the step by step solution, starting from the final step towards the first step as in the case of the backward dynamic programming solution.
3. A plot showing the cost-to-go at each step.
4. The optimal state trajectory and optimal control variable trajectory.
I am confident that I can handle this project excellently. I would be most delighted to talk through this project with you at depth.
Many thanks for your considerations.
Kind Regards,
Wisdom Enang.