A pareto-based hybrid whale optimization algorithm with tabu search for multi-objective optimization

Abstract

Multi-Objective Problems (MOPs) are common real-life problems that can be found in different fields, such as bioinformatics and scheduling. Pareto Optimization (PO) is a popular method for solving MOPs, which optimizes all objectives simultaneously. It provides an effective way to evaluate the quality of multi-objective solutions. Swarm Intelligence (SI) methods are population-based methods that generate multiple solutions to the problem, providing SI methods suitable for MOP solutions. SI methods have certain drawbacks when applied to MOPs, such as swarm leader selection and obtaining evenly distributed solutions over solution space. Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) is a recent SI method. In this paper, we propose combining WOA with Tabu Search (TS) for MOPs (MOWOATS). MOWOATS uses TS to store non-dominated solutions in elite lists to guide swarm members, which overcomes the swarm leader selection problem. MOWOATS employs crossover in both intensification and diversification phases to improve diversity of the population. MOWOATS proposes a new diversification step to eliminate the need for local search methods. MOWOATS has been tested over different benchmark multi-objective test functions, such as CEC2009, ZDT, and DTLZ. Results present the efficiency of MOWOATS in finding solutions near Pareto front and evenly distributed over solution space.