The minimization of tool switches problem (MTSP) seeks a sequence to process a set of jobs so that the number of tool switches required is minimized. The MTSP is well known to be NP-hard. This paper presents a new hybrid heuristic based on the Biased Random Key Genetic Algorithm (BRKGA) and the Clustering Search (CS). The main idea of CS is to identify promising regions of the search space by generating solutions with a metaheuristic, such as BRKGA, and clustering them to be further explored with local search heuristics. The distinctive feature of the proposed method is to simplify this clustering process. Computational results for the MTSP considering instances available in the literature are presented to demonstrate the efficacy of the CS with BRKGA.
Abstract. A challenge in hybrid evolutionary algorithms is to define efficient strategies to cover all search space, applying local search only in actually promising search areas. This paper proposes a way of detecting promising search areas based on clustering. In this approach, an iterative clustering works simultaneously to an evolutionary algorithm accounting the activity (selections or updatings) in search areas and identifying which of them deserves a special interest. The search strategy becomes more aggressive in such detected areas by applying local search. A first application to unconstrained numerical optimization is developed, showing the competitiveness of the method.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.