DISCRETE PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION FOR THE ORIENTEERING PROBLEM

Discrete particle swarm optimization (DPSO) is gaining popularity in the area of combinatorial optimization in the recent past due to its simplicity in coding and consistency in performance.  A DPSO algorithm has been developed for orienteering problem (OP) which has been shown to have many practical applications.  It uses reduced variable neighborhood search as a local search tool.  The DPSO algorithm was compared with ten heuristic models from the literature using benchmark problems.  The results show that the DPSO algorithm is a robust algorithm that can optimally solve the well known OP test problems

On Solving Close Enough Orienteering Problem with Overlapped Neighborhoods

The Close Enough Traveling Salesman Problem (CETSP) is a well-known variant of the classic Traveling Salesman Problem whereby the agent may complete its mission at any point within a target neighborhood. Heuristics based on overlapped neighborhoods, known as Steiner Zones (SZ), have gained attention in addressing CETSPs. While SZs offer effective approximations to the original graph, their inherent overlap imposes constraints on the search space, potentially conflicting with global optimization objectives. Here we present the Close Enough Orienteering Problem with Non-uniform Neighborhoods (CEOP-N), which extends CETSP by introducing variable prize attributes and non-uniform cost considerations for prize collection. To tackle CEOP-N, we develop a new approach featuring a Randomized Steiner Zone Discretization (RSZD) scheme coupled with a hybrid algorithm based on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Ant Colony System (ACS) - CRaSZe-AntS. The RSZD scheme identifies sub-regions for PSO exploration, and ACS determines the discrete visiting sequence. We evaluate the RSZD's discretization performance on CEOP instances derived from established CETSP instances, and compare CRaSZe-AntS against the most relevant state-of-the-art heuristic focused on single-neighborhood optimization for CEOP. We also compare the performance of the interior search within SZs and the boundary search on individual neighborhoods in the context of CEOP-N. Our results show CRaSZe-AntS can yield comparable solution quality with significantly reduced computation time compared to the single-neighborhood strategy, where we observe an averaged 140.44% increase in prize collection and 55.18% reduction of execution time. CRaSZe-AntS is thus highly effective in solving emerging CEOP-N, examples of which include truck-and-drone delivery scenarios.Comment: 26 pages, 10 figure

Algorithms for Large Orienteering Problems

In this thesis, we have developed algorithms to solve large-scale Orienteering Problems. The Orienteering Problem is a combinatorial optimization problem were given a weighted complete graph with vertex profits and a maximum distance constraint, the goal is to find the simple cycle which maximizes the sum of the profits of the visited vertices. To solve the Orienteering Problem, we have developed an evolutionary algorithm and an Branch-and-Cut algorithm. One of the key characteristics of the evolutionary algorithm is to work with unfeasible solutions. From the point of view of genetic operators, the main contribution has been the development of the Edge Recombination Crossover for the Orienteering Problem, which in a wider context it is also valid for any cycle problem. Another contribution has been the developed local search to handle large problems. The Branch-and-Cut algorithm includes new contributions in the separation algorithms of inequalities stemming from the cycle problem, in the separation loop, in the variables pricing, and in the calculation of the lower and upper bounds of the problem. At the same time, we have generalized for cycle problems the support graph shrinking techniques and procedures to speed up the exact separation algorithms for subcycle elimination constraints. The experiments carried out in large-sized instances, up to 7393 nodes, show that both algorithms achieve outstanding results, both in terms of the quality of solutions and in terms of the execution time.BERC.2014-2017 SEV-2013-0323 PID2019-104933GB-I00 MTM2015-65317-

Spatial coverage in routing and path planning problems

Routing and path planning problems that involve spatial coverage have received increasing attention in recent years in different application areas. Spatial coverage refers to the possibility of considering nodes that are not directly served by a vehicle as visited for the purpose of the objective function or constraints. Despite similarities between the underlying problems, solution approaches have been developed in different disciplines independently, leading to different terminologies and solution techniques. This paper proposes a unified view of the approaches: Based on a formal introduction of the concept of spatial coverage in vehicle routing, it presents a classification scheme for core problem features and summarizes problem variants and solution concepts developed in the domains of operations research and robotics. The connections between these related problem classes offer insights into common underlying structures and open possibilities for developing new applications and algorithms

Algorithms for large orienteering problems

185 p.Tesi lan honetan, tamaina handiko Orientazio Problemak ebazteko algoritmoak garatu ditugu. Orientazio Problema optimizazio konbinatorioko problema bat da: herri multzo bat eta hauen arteko distantzia emanik, herri bakoitzak bere saria duelarik, eta ibilbidearen distantzia osoaren murrizketa bat ezarririk, problemaren helburua sarien batura maximizatzen duen ibilbidea aurkitzean datza. Orientazio Problema ebazteko, algoritmo ebolutibo bat eta Branch-and-Cut algoritmo bat garatu ditugu. Algoritmo ebolutiboaren ezaugarri nagusienetako bat, soluzio ez bideragarriekin lan egitea da. Eragile genetikoen ikuspuntutik algoritmo honen ekarpen nagusia Orientazio Problemarentzako proposatutako Ertzen Birkonbinazio Gurutzaketa da. Beste ekarpen bat problema handiak ebazteko aproposa den bilaketa lokala da. Branch-and-Cut algoritmoak berriz, ziklo problementzako banantze algoritmoetan, banantze begiztan, aldagaien baloratzean, eta problemaren goi eta behe-mugen kalkuluan ditu ekarpen nagusiak. Aldi berean, ziklo problementzako algoritmo zehatzaren parte diren euskarri grafoen sinplifikazio teknika eta azpizikloak identifikatzeko separazio algoritmoak aztertu ditugu. Tamaina handiko problemekin, 7393 herrirainokoak, egindako esperimentuek erakusten dute bi algoritmoek primerako emaitzak lortzen dituztela, bai soluzioen kalitatearen aldetik eta bai algoritmoen azkartasunaren aldetik ere.En esta tesis, hemos desarrollado algoritmos para resolver instancias de gran tamaño para el Problema de Orientación. El Problema de Orientación es un problema de optimización combinatoria en el cual, dado un grafo, con distancias asociadas en las aristas y premios en los vértices, y la restricción de longitud máxima de la ruta, el objetivo es maximizar la suma de recompensas de las ciudades visitadas.Para resolver el Problema de Orientación, hemos desarrollado un algoritmo evolutivo y un algoritmo Branch-and-Cut. La principal característica del algoritmo evolutivo es el uso de soluciones infactibles durante de la búsqueda. Desde el punto de vista de los operadores genéticos, la contribución más notable es el desarrollo del Cruce de Recombinación de Aristas para el Problema de Orientación. Otra contribución ha sido el desarrollo de una búsqueda local que permite abarcar problemas de gran tamaño. El algoritmo Branch-and-Cut incluye contribuciones en los algoritmos de separación para problemas de ciclos, en el bucle de separación, en la estimación de precios de las variables, y en el cálculo de las cotas inferiores y superiores del problema. Al mismo tiempo, generalizamos para problemas de ciclos, la contracción de grafos soporte y procedimientos para acelerar la separación exacta de las restricciones de eliminación de subciclos. Los experimentos llevados a cabo en problemas de gran tamaño, problemas de hasta 7393 nodos, muestran que ambos algoritmos obtienen resultados excelentes, en términos de la calidad de la solución y en términos del tiempo de ejecución.-In this thesis, we have developed algorithms to solve large-scale Orienteering Problems. The Orienteering Problem is a combinatorial optimization problem were given a weighted complete graph with vertex profits and a maximum distance constraint, the goal is to find the simple cycle which maximizes the sum of the profits of the visited vertices. To solve the Orienteering Problem, we have developed an evolutionary algorithm and a Branch-and-Cut algorithm. One of the key characteristics of the evolutionary algorithm is to work with unfeasible solutions. From the point of view of genetic operators, the main contribution has been the development of the Edge Recombination Crossover for the Orienteering Problem, which in a wider context it is also valid for any cycle problem. Another contribution has been the developed local search to handle large problems. The Branch-and-Cut algorithm includes new contributions in the separation algorithms of inequalities stemming from the cycle problem, in the separation loop, in the variables pricing, and in the calculation of the lower and upper bounds of the problem. At the same time, we have generalized for cycle problems the support graph shrinking techniques and procedures to speed up the exact separation algorithms for subcycle elimination constraints. The experiments carried out in large-sized instances, up to 7393 nodes, show that both algorithms achieve outstanding results, both in terms of the quality of solutions and in terms of the execution time.bcam:basque center for applied mathematic

The bi-objective travelling salesman problem with profits and its connection to computer networks.

This is an interdisciplinary work in Computer Science and Operational Research. As it is well known, these two very important research fields are strictly connected. Among other aspects, one of the main areas where this interplay is strongly evident is Networking. As far as most recent decades have seen a constant growing of every kind of network computer connections, the need for advanced algorithms that help in optimizing the network performances became extremely relevant. Classical Optimization-based approaches have been deeply studied and applied since long time. However, the technology evolution asks for more flexible and advanced algorithmic approaches to model increasingly complex network configurations. In this thesis we study an extension of the well known Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP): the Traveling Salesman Problem with Profits (TSPP). In this generalization, a profit is associated with each vertex and it is not necessary to visit all vertices. The goal is to determine a route through a subset of nodes that simultaneously minimizes the travel cost and maximizes the collected profit. The TSPP models the problem of sending a piece of information through a network where, in addition to the sending costs, it is also important to consider what “profit” this information can get during its routing. Because of its formulation, the right way to tackled the TSPP is by Multiobjective Optimization algorithms. Within this context, the aim of this work is to study new ways to solve the problem in both the exact and the approximated settings, giving all feasible instruments that can help to solve it, and to provide experimental insights into feasible networking instances

Practical Route Planning Algorithm

Routing algorithms are traditionally considered to apply thesum of profits gathered at visited locations as an objectivefunction since the Traveling Salesman Problem. This heritagedisregards many practical considerations, hence the result ofthese models meet with user’s needs rarely.Thus considering the importance of this theoretical and modelingproblem, a novel objective function will be presented inthis paper as an extension of the one inherited from the TSPthat is more aligned with user preferences and aims to maximizethe tourist’s satisfaction. We also propose a heuristicalgorithm to solve the Team Orienteering Problem with relativelylow computation time in case of high number of verticeson the graph and multiple tour days. Based on the key performanceindicators and user feedback the algorithm is suitableto be implemented in a GIS application considering that even a3-day tour is designed less than 4 seconds