Maximum-entropy principle approach to the multiple travelling salesman problem and related problems

This thesis presents an investigation into the applications of the maximum-entropy principle as a heuristic for the multiple travelling salesman problem. This is a computationally complex problem which requires special treatment by conventional optimization techniques. Specific focus is given to developing a generalized framework for this problem that can be applied to any number of variants on the basic formulation. Additional consideration is given to the applications of this generalized framework to other variants on the travelling salesman problems such as the close enough travelling salesman problem. The heuristic framework developed here is shown to provide flexibility in addressing the multiple salesman variation on the travelling salesman problem as well as a several other variants on the travelling salesman problem. Additionally, this framework is shown to be effective in determining solutions to this class of problems, and it is especially effective for the close-enough travelling salesman problems which is particularly challenging for most conventional combinatorial algorithms. Concrete steps are presented by which to further extend and improve this framework to become both more widely applicable to variants on the travelling salesman problem, and more computationally efficient in solving such problems.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Roehl, Brian

Contributors dc:contributor

• Salapaka, Srinivasa M.

• Maximum-Entropy Principle
• Deterministic Annealing
• Travelling Salesman Problem
• Multiple Travelling Salesman Problem
• Close Enough Travelling Salesman Problem

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2011 Brian Roehl

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/29735

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/29735