Fidelity Evaluation for DELS Simulation Models

Abstract

The simulation practice in discrete event logistics system (DELS) domain lacks objective and operable methods in fidelity evaluation and management which leads to high costs or inadequate effectiveness of simulations. This paper provides an approach to evaluate the fidelity of simulation models for DELS. Simulation Fidelity is composed of experiment fidelity and model fidelity. Model fidelity is described by the ratio between the simulation model and the understood reality model. Next, fidelity is divided into four dimensions: structural, correlational, temporal and sensorial. Then a three-step operable approach to evaluate fidelity using Fidelity Evaluation Scale is presented by decomposing and analyzing the model in Fidelity Template, enumerating and calculating the indicators of the dimensions. An example is given showing how the approach is used in simulation practice in logistics context. This approach provides an operable and quantitative evaluation of fidelity which will benefit the trade-off between the costs and effectiveness of simulations of DELS.