A 3/2-Approximation Algorithm for the Multiple TSP with a Fixed Number of Depots

• Main Authors: XU, Zhou, RODRIGUES, Brian
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2010
• Subjects: Approximation algorithm; multiple depots; vehicle routing; Operations and Supply Chain Management
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/3036; https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-13731-0_13
• Institution: Singapore Management University

As an important extension of the classical traveling salesman problem (TSP), the multiple depot multiple traveling salesman problem (MDMTSP) is to minimize the total length of a collection of tours for multiple vehicles to serve all the customers, where each vehicle must start or stay at its distinct depot. Due to the gap between the existing best approximation ratios for the TSP and for the MDMTSP in literature, which are 3/2 and 2, respectively, it is an open question whether or not a 3/2-approximation algorithm exists for the MDMTSP. We have partially addressed this question by developing a 3/2-approximation algorithm, which runs in polynomial time when the number of depots is a constant.