The Case for Durative Actions: A Commentary on PDDL2.1

TL;DR

This paper critiques the limited notion of durative actions in PDDL2.1, arguing for a more comprehensive approach that better models complex systems' realities.

Contribution

It challenges the existing simplified concept of durative actions in PDDL2.1 and advocates for a more realistic modeling framework.

Findings

Durative actions in PDDL2.1 are overly simplified.

A more expressive approach to durative actions is necessary.

The current model ignores complexities of real-world system execution.

Abstract

The addition of durative actions to PDDL2.1 sparked some controversy. Fox and Long argued that actions should be considered as instantaneous, but can start and stop processes. Ultimately, a limited notion of durative actions was incorporated into the language. I argue that this notion is still impoverished, and that the underlying philosophical position of regarding durative actions as being a shorthand for a start action, process, and stop action ignores the realities of modelling and execution for complex systems.