Solving large p-median problems by a multistage hybrid approach using demand points aggregation and variable neighbourhood search

Chandra A. Irawan, Said Salhi

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A hybridisation of a clustering-based technique and of a variable neighbourhood search (VNS) is designed to solve large-scale $$p$$p-median problems. The approach is based on a multi-stage methodology where learning from previous stages is taken into account when tackling the next stage. Each stage is made up of several subproblems that are solved by a fast procedure to produce good feasible solutions. Within each stage, the solutions returned are put together to make up a new promising subset of potential facilities. This augmented $(Formula presented.)-median problem is then solved by VNS. As these problems used aggregation, a cost evaluation based on the original demand points instead of aggregation is computed for each of the ‘aggregation’-based solution. The one yielding the least cost is then selected and its chosen facilities included into the next stages. This multi-stage process is repeated several times until a certain criterion is met. This approach is enhanced by an efficient way to aggregate the data and a neighbourhood reduction scheme when allocating demand points to their nearest facilities. The proposed approach is tested, using various values of(Formula presented.), on the largest data sets from the literature with up to 89,600 demand points with encouraging results.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)537-554
Number of pages18
JournalJournal of Global Optimization
Volume63
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aggregation
  • Location problem
  • Variable neighbourhood search
  • p-median

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Business, Management and Accounting (miscellaneous)
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Control and Optimization
  • Management Science and Operations Research
  • Applied Mathematics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Solving large p-median problems by a multistage hybrid approach using demand points aggregation and variable neighbourhood search'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this