Semiconcavity for optimal control problems with exit time

In this paper a semiconcavity result is obtained for the value function of an optimal exit time problem. The related state equation is of general form (y) over dot (t) = f(y(t), u(t)), y(t) is an element of R-n, u(t) is an ele ment of U subset of R-m. However, suitable assumptions are needed relating f with the running and ex it costs. The semiconcavity property is then applied to obtain necessary optimality c onditions, through the formulation of a suitable version of the Maximum Pri nciple, and to study the singular set of the value function.