How to calm hyperactive agents

System performance in multi-agent resource allocation systems can often improve if individual agents reduce their activity. Agents need a way to modulate their individual behavior in light of the system's state, preferably without centralized control. We illustrate the problem of hyperactive agents in two domains related to resource allocation. A simple, decentralized scheme, inspired by insect pheromones, enables individual agents to adjust their activity as the system operates, and suggests a general approach to dealing with approaching deadlines.

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