Artículos

Evolutionary Algorithm for the Vehicles Routing Problem with Time Windows Based on a Constraint Satisfaction Technique¹

Algoritmo Evolutivo para el Problema de Ruteo de Vehículos con Ventanas de Tiempo Basado en una Técnica de Satisfacción de Restricciones¹

Marco Antonio Cruz Chávez^* and Ocotlán Díaz Parra^**

CIICAp, Autonomous University of Morelos State Av. Universidad 1001. Col. Chamilpa, C.P. 6221O.Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. ^*mcruz@uaem.mx, ^**odiazp@uaem.mx

Article received on April 22, 2008
Accepted on November 10, 2008

Abstract

In this paper a Memetic Algorithm (MA) is proposed for solving the Vehicles Routing Problem with Time Windows (VRPTW) multi–objective, using a constraint satisfaction heuristic that allows pruning of the search space to direct a search towards good solutions that represent the individuals of the population. An evolutionary heuristic is applied in order to establish the crossover and mutation between sub–routes. The results of MA demonstrate that the use of Constraints Satisfaction Technique permits MA to work more efficiently in the VRPTW.

Keywords: Memetic algorithm (GA–PCP), Constraints Satisfaction Problem, Precedence Constraint Posting, local search, VRPTW.

Resumen

En este documento se propone un Algoritmo Memetico (MA) para resolver el problema de ruteo vehicular con ventanas de tiempo (VRPTW) multi–objetivo, usando una heurística de satisfacción de restricciones que permite podar el espacio de búsqueda para dirigir la búsqueda hacia buenas soluciones las cuales son representadas por los individuos de la población. Se aplica una heurística evolutiva para establecer el cruzamiento y mutación entre sub–rutas. El resultado del MA demuestra que el uso de la Técnica de Satisfacción de Restricciones permite al MA trabajar más eficientemente en el VRPTW.

Palabras clave: Algoritmo Memetico (GA–PCP), Problema de Satisfacción de Restricciones, Estableciendo Restricciones de Precedencia, Búsqueda Local, VRPTW.

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Notas

¹ This work was supported by project 160 of the Fideicomiso SEP–UNAM, 2006–2007.