An evaluation of best compromise search in graphs

This work evaluates two different approaches for multicriteria graph search problems using compromise preferences. This approach focuses search on a single solution that represents a balanced tradeoff between objectives, rather than on the whole set of Pareto optimal solutions. We review the main concepts underlying compromise preferences, and two main approaches proposed for their solution in heuristic graph problems: naive Pareto search (NAMOA ), and a k-shortest-path approach (kA ). The performance of both approaches is evaluated on sets of standard bicriterion road map problems. The experiments reveal that the k-shortest-path approach looses effectiveness in favor of naive Pareto search as graph size increases. The reasons for this behavior are analyzed and discussedPartially funded by P07-TIC-03018, Cons. Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa (Junta Andalucía), and Univ. Málaga, Campus Excel. Int. Andalucía Tec

New Techniques and Algorithms for Multiobjective and Lexicographic Goal-Based Shortest Path Problems

Shortest Path Problems (SPP) are one of the most extensively studied problems in the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Operations Research (OR). It consists in finding the shortest path between two given nodes in a graph such that the sum of the weights of its constituent arcs is minimized. However, real life problems frequently involve the consideration of multiple, and often conflicting, criteria. When multiple objectives must be simultaneously optimized, the concept of a single optimal solution is no longer valid. Instead, a set of efficient or Pareto-optimal solutions define the optimal trade-off between the objectives under consideration. The Multicriteria Search Problem (MSP), or Multiobjective Shortest Path Problem, is the natural extension to the SPP when more than one criterion are considered. The MSP is computationally harder than the single objective one. The number of label expansions can grow exponentially with solution depth, even for the two objective case. However, with the assumption of bounded integer costs and a fixed number of objectives the problem becomes tractable for polynomially sized graphs. A wide variety of practical application in different fields can be identified for the MSP, like robot path planning, hazardous material transportation, route planning, optimization of public transportation, QoS in networks, or routing in multimedia networks. Goal programming is one of the most successful Multicriteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques used in Multicriteria Optimization. In this thesis we explore one of its variants in the MSP. Thus, we aim to solve the Multicriteria Search Problem with lexicographic goal-based preferences. To do so, we build on previous work on algorithm NAMOA*, a successful extension of the A* algorithm to the multiobjective case. More precisely, we provide a new algorithm called LEXGO*, an exact label-setting algorithm that returns the subset of Pareto-optimal paths that satisfy a set of lexicographic goals, or the subset that minimizes deviation from goals if these cannot be fully satisfied. Moreover, LEXGO* is proved to be admissible and expands only a subset of the labels expanded by an optimal algorithm like NAMOA*, which performs a full Multiobjective Search. Since time rather than memory is the limiting factor in the performance of multicriteria search algorithms, we also propose a new technique called t-discarding to speed up dominance checks in the process of discarding new alternatives during the search. The application of t-discarding to the algorithms studied previously, NAMOA* and LEXGO*, leads to the introduction of two new time-efficient algorithms named NAMOA*dr and LEXGO*dr , respectively. All the algorithmic alternatives are tested in two scenarios, random grids and realistic road maps problems. The experimental evaluation shows the effectiveness of LEXGO* in both benchmarks, as well as the dramatic reductions of time requirements experienced by the t-discarding versions of the algorithms, with respect to the ones with traditional pruning

A general space-time model for combinatorial optimization problems (and not only)

We consider the problem of defining a strategy consisting of a set of facilities taking into account also the location where they have to be assigned and the time in which they have to be activated. The facilities are evaluated with respect to a set of criteria. The plan has to be devised respecting some constraints related to different aspects of the problem such as precedence restrictions due to the nature of the facilities. Among the constraints, there are some related to the available budget. We consider also the uncertainty related to the performances of the facilities with respect to considered criteria and plurality of stakeholders participating to the decision. The considered problem can be seen as the combination of some prototypical operations research problems: knapsack problem, location problem and project scheduling. Indeed, the basic brick of our model is a variable xilt which takes value 1 if facility i is activated in location l at time t, and 0 otherwise. Due to the conjoint consideration of a location and a time in the decision variables, what we propose can be seen as a general space-time model for operations research problems. We discuss how such a model permits to handle complex problems using several methodologies including multiple attribute value theory and multiobjective optimization. With respect to the latter point, without any loss of the generality, we consider the compromise programming and an interactive methodology based on the Dominance-based Rough Set Approach. We illustrate the application of our model with a simple didactic example

Quantum Algorithms for Multiobjective Combinatorial Optimization

This thesis studies multiobjective optimization problems in the context of quantum computing. Quantum computing is a computational paradigm based on the laws of quantum physics as superposition, interference and entanglement. New quantum algorithms have emerged that proved to be more efficient than classical algorithms. Particularly, Grover’s search algorithm can find a specific element out of a set of N elements with complexity O(√N). Applications of Grover’s algorithm to optimization problems are currently being studied by other researchers, and in this thesis, a new adaptive search method based on Grover’s algorithm applied to several biobjective optimization problems is introduced. This new algorithm is compared against one of the most cited multiobjective optimization algorithms known as NSGA-II. Experimental evidence suggests that the quantum optimization method proposed in this work is at least as effective as NSGA-II in average, considering an equal number of executions. The proposed quantum algorithm, however, only requires approximately the square root of the number of evaluations executed by NSGA-II. Also, two different types of oracles with regard to the proposed algorithm were considered and the experimental results have shown that one of this oracles has requiered less iterations for similar performance.CONACYT - Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y TecnologíaPROCIENCI