A verification approach for knowledge-based systems

Knowledge-based systems (KBS) represent a novel computer-based approach for dealing with practical traffic engineering problems. As traffic engineers adapt and apply KBS technological tenets, there is a need to reflect on exactly how development efforts should proceed and, particularly, on how a KBS should be verified as “correct.” Such experience is likely to accrue from hindsight; what went right—or wrong—during an actual KBS project. Unfortunately, hindsight does not provide direct experience with the application of a specific development paradigm. In this paper, we detail our experiences in applying a specific verification framework (based on traditional software engineering tenets) during a traffic engineering KBS development effort. Our experiences with this paradigm provide useful insights to other researchers involved in traffic engineering KBS development projects.