Investigation of Convergence Properties of Ant Colony Based Algorithms

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 5-20
Author(s):  
Anita Agárdi ◽  
László Kovács ◽  
Tamás Bányai
Keyword(s):  
Vehicle Routing ◽  
Vehicle Routing Problem ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Time Windows ◽  
Ant Colony ◽  
Discrete Optimization Problem ◽  
Ant System ◽  
Convergence Properties ◽  
Routing Problem ◽  
Elitist Strategy

The paper presents the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithms, and investigates their convergence properties. Our investigation is limited to the following ACO algorithms: Ant System, MAX-MIN Ant System, Elitist Strategy of Ant System and Rank Based Version of Ant System. In the literature can be seen, that a novel of optimization problems are solved with ACO algorithms. In our investigation, we limited the Multi-Depot Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows (MDVRPTW), which is an NP-hard discrete optimization problem. The paper presents a literature review in connection with ACO algorithms, and Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP). After that, the mathematical model is written. The paper also presents the implemented algorithms, and the test results based on benchmark data.

An Improved Ant Colony Optimization for VRP with Time Windows

2012 ◽  
Vol 263-266 ◽  
pp. 1609-1613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Su Ping Yu ◽  
Ya Ping Li
Keyword(s):  
Ant Colony Optimization ◽  
Vehicle Routing ◽  
Vehicle Routing Problem ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Time Windows ◽  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Ant Colony ◽  
Routing Problem ◽  
Combinatorial Optimization Problems

The Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) is an important problem occurring in many distribution systems, which is also defined as a family of different versions such as the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem (CVRP) and the Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows (VRPTW). The Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) is a metaheuristic for combinatorial optimization problems. Given the ACO inadequacy, the vehicle routing optimization model is improved and the transfer of the algorithm in corresponding rules and the trajectory updated regulations is reset in this paper, which is called the Improved Ant Colony Optimization (I-ACO). Compared to the calculated results with genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO), the correctness of the model and algorithm is verified. Experimental results show that the I-ACO can quickly and effectively obtain the optimal solution of VRFTW.

scholarly journals A Comprehensive Study of Vehicle Routing Problem With Time Windows Using Ant Colony Optimization Techniques

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2.32) ◽  
pp. 80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avirup Guha Neogi ◽  
Singamreddy Mounika ◽  
Salagrama Kalyani ◽  
S A. Yogananda Sai
Keyword(s):  
Ant Colony Optimization ◽  
Vehicle Routing ◽  
Vehicle Routing Problem ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Time Window ◽  
Time Windows ◽  
Optimization Techniques ◽  
Ant Colony ◽  
Routing Problem ◽  
Time Window Constraints

Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) is a nature-inspired swarm intelligence technique and a metaheuristic approach which is inspired by the foraging behavior of the real ants, where ants release pheromones to find the best and shortest route from their nest to the food source. ACO is being applied to various optimization problems till date and has been giving good quality results in the field. One such popular problem is known as Vehicle Routing Problem(VRP). Among many variants of VRP, this paper presents a comprehensive survey on VRP with Time Window constraints(VRPTW). The survey is presented in a chronological order discussing which of the variants of ACO is used in each paper followed by the advantages and limitations of the same.  

scholarly journals A hybrid ant colony algorithm based on multiple strategies for the vehicle routing problem with time windows

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongguang Wu ◽  
Yuelin Gao ◽  
Wanting Wang ◽  
Ziyu Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Vehicle Routing ◽  
Vehicle Routing Problem ◽  
Ant Colony Algorithm ◽  
Time Window ◽  
Time Windows ◽  
Ant Colony ◽  
Routing Problem ◽  
Multiple Strategies ◽  
Hard Time ◽  
Mutation Operation

AbstractIn this paper, we propose a vehicle routing problem with time windows (TWVRP). In this problem, we consider a hard time constraint that the fleet can only serve customers within a specific time window. To solve this problem, a hybrid ant colony (HACO) algorithm is proposed based on ant colony algorithm and mutation operation. The HACO algorithm proposed has three innovations: the first is to update pheromones with a new method; the second is the introduction of adaptive parameters; and the third is to add the mutation operation. A famous Solomon instance is used to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm. Experimental results show that HACO algorithm is effective against solving the problem of vehicle routing with time windows. Besides, the proposed algorithm also has practical implications for vehicle routing problem and the results show that it is applicable and effective in practical problems.

Optimization of Multi-Depot Heterogeneous Incident Vehicle Routing Problem with Soft Time Windows Based on an Improved Ant Colony Optimization

2014 ◽  
Vol 1061-1062 ◽  
pp. 1108-1117
Author(s):  
Ya Lian Tang ◽  
Yan Guang Cai ◽  
Qi Jiang Yang
Keyword(s):  
Ant Colony Optimization ◽  
Vehicle Routing ◽  
Vehicle Routing Problem ◽  
Time Windows ◽  
Ant Colony ◽  
Genetic Operators ◽  
Solution Quality ◽  
Routing Problem ◽  
Soft Time Windows ◽  
Heterogeneous Vehicle Routing Problem

Aiming at vehicle routing problem (VRP) with many extended features is widely used in actual life, multi-depot heterogeneous vehicle routing problem with soft time windows (MDHIVRPSTW) mathematical model is established. An improved ant colony optimization (IACO) is proposed for solving this model. Firstly, MDHIVRPSTW was transferred into different groups according to nearest depot method, then constructing the initial route by scanning algorithm (SA). Secondly, genetic operators were introduced, and then adjusting crossover probability and mutation probability adaptively in order to improve the global search ability of the algorithm. Moreover, smooth mechanism was used to improve the performance of ant colony optimization (ACO). Finally, 3-opt strategy was used to improve the local search ability. The proposed IACO has been tested on a 32-customer instance which was generated randomly. The experimental results show that IACO is superior to other three algorithms in terms of convergence speed and solution quality, thus the proposed method is effective and feasible, and the proposed model is better than conventional model.

Efficient Golden-Ball Algorithm Based Clustering to solve the Multi-Depot VRP With Time Windows

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lahcene Guezouli ◽  
Mohamed Bensakhria ◽  
Samir Abdelhamid
Keyword(s):  
Vehicle Routing ◽  
Vehicle Routing Problem ◽  
Clustering Algorithm ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Time Window ◽  
Time Windows ◽  
Routing Problem ◽  
Combinatorial Optimization Problems ◽  
Acceptable Quality ◽  
Golden Ball

In this article, the authors propose a decision support system which aims to optimize the classical Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem by considering the existence of multiple available depots and a time window which must not be violated, that they call the Multi-Depot Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Window (MDVRPTW), and with respecting a set of criteria including: schedules requests from clients, the capacity of vehicles. The authors solve this problem by proposing a recently published technique based on soccer concepts, called Golden Ball (GB), with different solution representation from the original one, this technique was designed to solve combinatorial optimization problems, and by embedding a clustering algorithm. Computational results have shown that the approach produces acceptable quality solutions compared to the best previous results in similar problem in terms of generated solutions and processing time. Experimental results prove that the proposed Golden Ball algorithm is efficient and effective to solve the MDVRPTW problem.

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