The hub location and network design problem with fixed and variable arc costs: formulation and dual-based solution heuristic

Many air, less-than-truck load and intermodal transportation and telecommunication networks incorporate hubs in an effort to reduce total cost. These hubs function as make bulk/break bulk or consolidation/deconsolidation centres. In this paper, a new hub location and network design formulation is presented that considers the fixed costs of establishing the hubs and the arcs in the network, and the variable costs associated with the demands on the arcs. The problem is formulated as a mixed integer programming problem embedding a multi-commodity flow model. The formulation can be transformed into some previously modelled hub network design problems. We develop a dual-based heuristic that exploits the multi-commodity flow problem structure embedded in the formulation. The test results indicate that the heuristic is an effective way to solve this computationally complex problem.     

A capacity scaling heuristic for the multicommodity capacitated network design problem

In this paper, we propose a capacity scaling heuristic using a column generation and row generation technique to address the multicommodity capacitated network design problem. The capacity scaling heuristic is an approximate iterative solution method for capacitated network problems based on changing arc capacities, which depend on flow volumes on the arcs. By combining a column and row generation technique and a strong formulation including forcing constraints, this heuristic derives high quality results, and computational effort can be reduced considerably. The capacity scaling heuristic offers one of the best current results among approximate solution algorithms designed to address the multicommodity capacitated network design problem.     

一种新的交通网络设计优化算法

交通网络设计问题是研究如何用定量的方法在已有交通网络上添加或扩容某些路段的问题.文章在回顾交通网络设计问题文献的基础上,提出了基于图论网络优化思想的解决该类问题的一种新思路,给出了启发式算法,并进行了算法复杂性分析,最后通过算例验证了其有效性.     

A cross entropy approach to design of reliable networks

One of the most important parameters determining the performance of communication networks is network reliability. The network reliability strongly depends on not only topological layout of the communication networks but also reliability and availability of the communication facilities. The selection of optimal network topology is an NP-hard problem so that computation time of enumeration-based methods grows exponentially with network size. This paper presents a new solution approach based on cross-entropy method, called NCE, to design of communication networks. The design problem is to find a network topology with minimum cost such that all-terminal reliability is not less than a given level of reliability. To investigate the effectiveness of the proposed NCE, comparisons with other heuristic approaches given in the literature for the design problem are carried out in a three-stage experimental study. Computational results show that NCE is an effective heuristic approach to design of reliable networks.     

Price-directive decomposition applied to routing in telecommunication networks

The telecommunication network design problem is considered to study the level of transmission network. A heuristic approach is defined to solve the combined routing-grouping problem, where the grouping one is solved by a heuristic approach. The routing problem is defined considering reliability constraints, supplementary circuits demands and a piecewise linear objective function to take into account the influence of the grouping. This last model is solved using a price-directive decomposition method, which has allowed us to solve real networks using an exact method.     

产品回收逆向物流网络设计问题的两阶段启发式算法

针对产品回收逆向物流网络设计问题,设计了一种嵌套了模拟退火算法的两阶段启发式算法。第一阶段确定回收点的选址-分配-存储的联合决策;第二阶段确定回收中心的选址-运输的联合决策,两个阶段相互迭代,从而实现最优解的搜索。通过与遗传算法比较,证明了两阶段启发式算法是一种有效的算法。     

Solving the Passive Optical Network with Fiber Duct Sharing Planning Problem Using Discrete Techniques

Similar to the constrained facility location problem, the passive optical network (PON) planning problem necessitates the search for a subset of deployed facilities (splitters) and their allocated demand points (optical network units) to minimize the overall deployment cost. In this paper we use a mixed integer linear programming formulation stemming from network flow optimization to construct a heuristic based on limiting the total number of interconnecting paths when implementing fiber duct sharing. Then, a disintegration heuristic involving the construction of valid clusters from the output of a k means algorithm, reduce the time complexity while ensuring close to optimal results. The proposed heuristics are then evaluated using a real-world dataset, showing favourable performance.     

A splitter location–allocation problem in designing fiber optic access networks

This paper deals with a physical access network design problem of fiber-to-the-home passive optical network (FTTH-PON). The design of FTTH-PON access network seeks the cost effective location of optical splitters that provide optical connectivity from central office to subscribers in a given service area. We formulate the problem as a multi-level capacitated facility location problem on a tree topology with nonlinear link cost. Dealing with the nonlinear link cost, we propose an objective function relaxation approach to obtain tight upper and lower bounds. We develop valid inequalities that enhance the lower bound and propose a local search heuristic procedure that improves the upper bound. Valid inequalities force integrality condition on the number of splitters placed at nodes. Local search heuristic improves the initial greedy solution by placing splitters on the sub-root nodes of a given tree network. Computational results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed solution procedures.     

Topological Design of Survivable Mesh-Based Transport Networks

The advent of Sonet and DWDM mesh-restorable networks which contain explicit reservations of spare capacity for restoration presents a new problem in topological network design. On the one hand, the routing of working flows wants a sparse tree-like graph for minimization of the classic fixed charge plus routing (FCR) costs. On the other hand, restorability requires a closed (bi-connected) and preferably high-degree topology for efficient sharing of spare capacity allocations (SCA) for restoration over non-simultaneous failure scenarios. These diametrically opposed considerations underlie the determination of an optimum physical facilities graph for a broadband network provider. Standalone instances of each constituent problem are NP-hard. The full problem of simultaneously optimizing mesh-restorable topology, routing, and sparing is therefore very difficult computationally. Following a comprehensive survey of prior work on topological design problems, we provide a {1–0} MIP formulation for the complete mesh-restorable design problem and also propose a novel three-stage heuristic. The heuristic is based on the hypothesis that the union set of edges obtained from separate FCR and SCA sub-problems constitutes an effective topology space within which to solve a restricted instance of the full problem. Where fully optimal reference solutions are obtainable the heuristic shows less than 8% gaps but runs in minutes as opposed to days. In other test cases the reference problem cannot be solved to optimality and we can only report that heuristic results obtained in minutes are not improved upon by CPLEX running the full problem for 6 to 18 hours. The computational behavior we observe gives insight for further work based on an appreciation of the problem as embodying unexpectedly difficult feasibility apects, as well as optimality aspects.     

Pricing and revenue maximization over a multicommodity transportation network: the nonlinear demand case

This paper is concerned with the design of efficient exact and heuristic algorithms for addressing a bilevel network pricing problem where demand is a nonlinear function of travel cost. The exact method is based on the piecewise linear approximation of the demand function, yielding mixed integer programming formulations, while heuristic procedures are developed within a bilevel trust region framework.     

Heuristic algorithms for the multi-depot ring-star problem

In this paper, we consider the problem of designing urban optical networks. In particular, given a set of telephone exchanges, we must design a collection of ring-stars, where each ring-star is a cycle composed of a telephone exchange, some customers, some transition points used to save routing costs and customers not on the cycle connected to the cycle by a single edge. The ring topology is chosen in many fiber optic communication networks since it allows to prevent the loss of connection due to a single edge or even a single node failure. The objective is to minimize the total cost of the optical network which is mainly due to the excavation costs. We call this problem Multi-Depot Ring-Star Problem (MDRSP) and we formulate it as an optimization problem in Graph Theory. We present lower bounds and heuristic algorithms for the MDRSP. Computational results on randomly generated instances and real-life datasets are also presented.     

A multi-period network design problem for cellular telecommunication systems

Mathematical Programming models for multi-period network design problems, which arise in cellular telecommunication systems are presented. The underlying network topologies range from a simple star to complex multi-layer Steiner-like networks. Linear programming, Lagrangian relaxation, and branch-and-cut heuristics are proposed and a polynomial-bounded heuristic based on an interior point linear programming implementation is described. Extensive computational results are presented on a number of randomly generated problem sets and the performance of the heuristic(s) are compared with an optimal branch-and-bound algorithm.     

Finding a minimum cost path between a pair of nodes in a time-varying road network with a congestion charge

The minimum cost path problem in a time-varying road network is a complicated problem. The paper proposes two heuristic methods to solve the minimum cost path problem between a pair of nodes with a time-varying road network and a congestion charge. The heuristic methods are compared with an alternative exact method using real traffic information. Also, the heuristic methods are tested in a benchmark dataset and a London road network dataset. The heuristic methods can achieve good solutions in a reasonable running time.     

A Slope Scaling/Lagrangean Perturbation Heuristic with Long-Term Memory for Multicommodity Capacitated Fixed-Charge Network Design

This paper describes a slope scaling heuristic for solving the multicomodity capacitated fixed-charge network design problem. The heuristic integrates a Lagrangean perturbation scheme and intensification/diversification mechanisms based on a long-term memory. Although the impact of the Lagrangean perturbation mechanism on the performance of the method is minor, the intensification/diversification components of the algorithm are essential for the approach to achieve good performance. The computational results on a large set of randomly generated instances from the literature show that the proposed method is competitive with the best known heuristic approaches for the problem. Moreover, it generally provides better solutions on larger, more difficult, instances.     

Grasp Embedded Scatter Search for the Multicommodity Capacitated Network Design Problem

A GRASP embedded Scatter Search is developed for the multicommodity capacitated network design problem. Difficulty for this problem arises from the fact that selection of the optimal network design is an NP-complete combinatorial problem. There exist no polynomial exact algorithms which can solve this problem in a reasonable period of time for realistically sized instances. In such cases, heuristic procedures are commonly used. Two strategies were designed for GRASP: a traditional approach and a memory based technique. As for Scatter Search, 5 different strategies were used to update the reference set. Computational results on a large set of randomly generated instances show the convenience of the proposed procedures.     

Applying GIS and Combinatorial Optimization to Fiber Deployment Plans

A decision-support system for the Fiber Deployment Plan problem is developed for the telephone cable network design in the telecommunications industry. The system employs a Geographic Information System (GIS) and uses combinatorial optimization techniques as its components. A mathematical combinatorial optimization model is formulated for the problem and a heuristic solution procedure is developed for the model. A GIS within the ESRI Arc/INFO and ArcView environment is used to provide data needed to build the mathematical combinatorial optimization model and to furnish an interface between the users and computers in data input and in solution result display. Combinatorial optimization techniques are used in the heuristic solution procedure to find good solutions for the optimization model. The developed decision-support system has been used to real life problems and has resulted in tremendous improvements in the telephone cable network design process. The user is completely satisfied with the performance of the system.     

Design of tariff zones in public transportation networks: theoretical results and heuristics

The problem of fair zone design for local public transportation networks is considered. A network model which was introduced by Hamacher and Schöbel in [2] is investigated. We present theoretical results for special transportation networks and heuristic algorithms for the general problem.     

A bi-objective turning restriction design problem in urban road networks

This paper introduces a bi-objective turning restriction design problem (BOTRDP), which aims to simultaneously improve network traffic efficiency and reduce environmental pollution by implementing turning restrictions at selected intersections. A bi-level programming model is proposed to formulate the BOTRDP. The upper level problem aims to minimize both the total system travel time (TSTT) and the cost of total vehicle emissions (CTVE) from the viewpoint of traffic managers, and the lower level problem depicts travelers’ route choice behavior based on stochastic user equilibrium (SUE) theory. The modified artificial bee colony (ABC) heuristic is developed to find Pareto optimal turning restriction strategies. Different from the traditional ABC heuristic, crossover operators are captured to enhance the performance of the heuristic. The computational experiments show that incorporating crossover operators into the ABC heuristic can indeed improve its performance and that the proposed heuristic significantly outperforms the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA) even if different operators are randomly chosen and used in the NSGA as in our proposed heuristic. The results also illustrate that a Pareto optimal turning restriction strategy can obviously reduce the TSTT and the CTVE when compared with those without implementing the strategy, and that the number of Pareto optimal turning restriction designs is smaller when the network is more congested but greater network efficiency and air quality improvement can be achieved. The results also demonstrate that traffic information provision does have an impact on the number of Pareto optimal turning restriction designs. These results should have important implications on traffic management.     

Heuristic Performance and Network/Resource Characteristics in Resource-constrained Project Scheduling

The problem considered in this study is that of non-pre-emptive scheduling of the activities in a project network to minimize project duration under limited resource availabilities. Various heuristic rules and optimization techniques have been applied to this problem, and comparisons of their effectiveness have been made in the literature. However, no thorough investigation of the types of network and resource characteristics which play an underlying role in determining heuristic performance and which account for the variability of results has been made previously. In this study, a new heuristic rule which compares favourably with the widely-used heuristic rules is developed, and the influence of network/resource characteristics on the performance of different heuristic rules is investigated.     

Wide area telecommunication network design: application to the Alberta SuperNet

This article proposes a solution methodology for the design of a wide area telecommunication network. This study is motivated by the Alberta SuperNet project, which provides broadband Internet access to 422 communities across Alberta. There are two components to this problem: the network design itself, consisting of selecting which links will be part of the solution and which nodes should house shelters; and the loading problem which consists of determining which signal transport technology should be installed on the selected edges of the network. Mathematical models are described for these two subproblems. A tabu search algorithm heuristic is developed and tested on randomly generated instances and on Alberta SuperNet data.