A selector operator-based adaptive large neighborhood search for the covering tour problem

Abstract

The Covering Tour Problem finds application in distribution network design. It includes two types of vertices: the covering ones and the ones to be covered. This problem is about identifying a lowest-cost Hamiltonian cycle over a subset of the covering vertices in such a way that every element not of this type is covered. In this case, a vertex is considered covered when it is located within a given distance from a vertex in the tour. This paper presents a solution procedure based on a Selector operator that allows to convert a giant tour into an optimal CTP solution. This operator is embedded in an adaptive large neighborhood search. The method is competitive as shown by the quality of results evaluated using the output of a state-of-the-art exact algorithm.