On the Complexity of Inverse Mixed Integer Linear Optimization

Inverse optimization is the problem of determining the values of missing input parameters that are closest to given estimates and that will make a given solution optimal. This study is concerned with the relationship of a particular inverse mixed integer linear optimization problem (MILPs) to both the original problem and the separation problem associated with … Read more

Stochastic Inventory Routing with Time-based Shipment Consolidation

Inspired by the retail industry, we introduce a fundamentally new approach towards stochastic inventory routing by replenishing retailers from a central warehouse using a time-based shipment consolidation policy. Such a time-based dispatching policy, where retailers facing stochastic demand are repetitively replenished at fixed times, is essential in practice. It allows for easy incorporation with dependent … Read more

Compact Integer Linear Programming Formulations for the Temporal Bin Packing Problem with Fire-Ups

In this article we examine a specific version of the temporal bin packing problem (TBPP) that occurs in job-to-server scheduling. The TBPP represents a generalization of the well-known bin packing problem (BPP) with respect to an additional time dimension, and it requires to find the minimum number of bins (servers) to accommodate a given list … Read more

New exact approaches for the combined cell layout problem and extensions of the multi-bay facility layout problem

In this paper we consider the Combined Cell Layout Problem (CCLP), the Multi-Bay Facility Layout Problem (MBFLP) and several generalizations of the MBFLP, which have wide applications, e.g., in factory planning, heavy manufacturing, semiconductor fabrication and arranging rooms in hospitals. Given a set of cells of type single-row or directed-circular and a set of one-dimensional … Read more

Why there is no need to use a big-M in linear bilevel optimization: A computational study of two ready-to-use approaches

Linear bilevel optimization problems have gained increasing attention both in theory as well as in practical applications of Operations Research (OR) during the last years and decades. The latter is mainly due to the ability of this class of problems to model hierarchical decision processes. However, this ability makes bilevel problems also very hard to … Read more

Feasible rounding approaches for equality constrained mixed-integer optimization problems

A feasible rounding approach is a novel technique to compute good feasible points for mixed-integer optimization problems. The central idea of this approach is the construction of a continuously described inner parallel set for which any rounding of any of its elements is feasible in the original mixed-integer problem. It is known that this approach … Read more

Short-Term Inventory-Aware Equipment Management in Service Networks

Logistics companies often operate a heterogeneous fleet of equipment to support their service network operations. This introduces a layer of planning complexity as facilities need to maintain appropriate levels of equipment types to support operations throughout the planning horizon. We formulate an optimization model that minimizes the cost of executing a load plan, assuming knowledge … Read more

Distributionally Robust Facility Location with Bimodal Random Demand

In this paper, we consider a decision-maker who wants to determine a subset of locations from a given set of candidate sites to open facilities and accordingly assign customer demand to these open facilities. Unlike classical facility location settings, we focus on a new setting where customer demand is bimodal, i.e., display, or belong to, … Read more

Optimal Residential Users Coordination Via Demand Response: An Exact Distributed Framework

This paper proposes a two-phase optimization framework for users that are involved in demand response programs. In a first phase, responsive users optimize their own household consumption, characterizing not only their appliances and equipment but also their comfort preferences. Subsequently, the aggregator exploits in a second phase this preliminary noncoordinated solution by implementing a coordination … Read more

Solving the Time Dependent Minimum Tour Duration and Delivery Man Problems with Dynamic Discretization Discovery

In this paper, we present exact methods for solving the Time Dependent Minimum Duration Problem (TDMTDP) and the Time Dependent Delivery Man Problem (TD-DMP). Both methods are based on a Dynamic Discretization Discovery (DDD) approach for solving the Time Dependent Traveling Salesman Problem with Time Windows (TD-TSPTW). Unlike the TD-TSPTW, the problems we consider in … Read more