On routing problem with starting point optimization

Abstract

One problem focused on engineering applications is considered. It is assumed that sequential visits to megacities have been implemented. After all visits have been made, it is required to return to the starting point (a more complex dependence on the starting point is also considered). But the last requirement is not strict: some weakening of the return condition is acceptable. Under these assumptions, it is required to optimize the choice of starting point, route, and specific trajectory. The well-known dynamic programming (DP) is used for the solution. But when using DP, significant difficulties arise associated with the dependence of the terminal component of the criterion on the starting point. Starting point enumeration is required. We consider the possibility of reducing the enumeration associated with applied variants of universal (relative to the starting point) dynamic programming. Of course, this approach requires some transformation of the problem. © 2020, Krasovskii Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics. All rights reserved.