28 research outputs found
Constant-Factor Approximation for TSP with Disks
We revisit the traveling salesman problem with neighborhoods (TSPN) and
present the first constant-ratio approximation for disks in the plane: Given a
set of disks in the plane, a TSP tour whose length is at most times
the optimal can be computed in time that is polynomial in . Our result is
the first constant-ratio approximation for a class of planar convex bodies of
arbitrary size and arbitrary intersections. In order to achieve a
-approximation, we reduce the traveling salesman problem with disks, up
to constant factors, to a minimum weight hitting set problem in a geometric
hypergraph. The connection between TSPN and hitting sets in geometric
hypergraphs, established here, is likely to have future applications.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figure
The traveling salesman problem for lines, balls and planes
We revisit the traveling salesman problem with neighborhoods (TSPN) and
propose several new approximation algorithms. These constitute either first
approximations (for hyperplanes, lines, and balls in , for ) or improvements over previous approximations achievable in comparable times
(for unit disks in the plane).
\smallskip (I) Given a set of hyperplanes in , a TSP tour
whose length is at most times the optimal can be computed in
time, when is constant.
\smallskip (II) Given a set of lines in , a TSP tour whose
length is at most times the optimal can be computed in polynomial
time for all .
\smallskip (III) Given a set of unit balls in , a TSP tour
whose length is at most times the optimal can be computed in polynomial
time, when is constant.Comment: 30 pages, 9 figures; final version to appear in ACM Transactions on
Algorithm
A Systematic Review of Approximability Results for Traveling Salesman Problems leveraging the TSP-T3CO Definition Scheme
The traveling salesman (or salesperson) problem, short TSP, is a problem of
strong interest to many researchers from mathematics, economics, and computer
science. Manifold TSP variants occur in nearly every scientific field and
application domain: engineering, physics, biology, life sciences, and
manufacturing just to name a few. Several thousand papers are published on
theoretical research or application-oriented results each year. This paper
provides the first systematic survey on the best currently known
approximability and inapproximability results for well-known TSP variants such
as the "standard" TSP, Path TSP, Bottleneck TSP, Maximum Scatter TSP,
Generalized TSP, Clustered TSP, Traveling Purchaser Problem, Profitable Tour
Problem, Quota TSP, Prize-Collecting TSP, Orienteering Problem, Time-dependent
TSP, TSP with Time Windows, and the Orienteering Problem with Time Windows. The
foundation of our survey is the definition scheme T3CO, which we propose as a
uniform, easy-to-use and extensible means for the formal and precise definition
of TSP variants. Applying T3CO to formally define the variant studied by a
paper reveals subtle differences within the same named variant and also brings
out the differences between the variants more clearly. We achieve the first
comprehensive, concise, and compact representation of approximability results
by using T3CO definitions. This makes it easier to understand the
approximability landscape and the assumptions under which certain results hold.
Open gaps become more evident and results can be compared more easily
A Polyhedral Study of Mixed 0-1 Set
We consider a variant of the well-known single node fixed charge network flow set with constant capacities. This set arises from the relaxation of more general mixed integer sets such as lot-sizing problems with multiple suppliers. We provide a complete polyhedral characterization of the convex hull of the given set
Operational Research: Methods and Applications
Throughout its history, Operational Research has evolved to include a variety of methods, models and algorithms that have been applied to a diverse and wide range of contexts. This encyclopedic article consists of two main sections: methods and applications. The first aims to summarise the up-to-date knowledge and provide an overview of the state-of-the-art methods and key developments in the various subdomains of the field. The second offers a wide-ranging list of areas where Operational Research has been applied. The article is meant to be read in a nonlinear fashion. It should be used as a point of reference or first-port-of-call for a diverse pool of readers: academics, researchers, students, and practitioners. The entries within the methods and applications sections are presented in alphabetical order
LIPIcs, Volume 244, ESA 2022, Complete Volume
LIPIcs, Volume 244, ESA 2022, Complete Volum