A note on a mixed routing and scheduling problem on a grid graph

作者:Cenci Marisa; Di Giacomo Mirko; Mason Francesco*
来源:Journal of the Operational Research Society, 2017, 68(11): 1363-1376.
DOI:10.1057/s41274-016-0152-9

摘要

We consider a particular case of the Fleet Quickest Routing Problem (FQRP) on a grid graph of m x n nodes that are placed in m levels and n columns. Starting nodes are placed at the first (bottom) level, and nodes of arrival are placed at the mth level. A feasible solution of FQRP consists in n Manhattan paths, one for each vehicle, such that capacity constraints are respected. We establish m*, i.e. the number of levels that ensures the existence of a solution to FQRP in any possible permutation of n destinations. In particular, m* is the minimum number of levels sufficient to solve any instance of FQRP involving n vehicles, when they move in the ways that the literature has until now assumed. Existing algorithms give solutions that require, for some values of n, more levels than m*. For this reason, we provide algorithm CaR, which gives a solution in a graph m* x n, as a minor contribution.

  • 出版日期2017-11