Arnaud Liefooghe

ParadisEO-MOEO: a framework for evolutionary multi-objective optimization

This paper presents ParadisEO-MOEO, a white-box object-oriented generic framework dedicated to the flexible design of evolutionary multi-objective algorithms. This paradigm-free software embeds some features and techniques for Pareto-based resolution and aims to provide a set of classes allowing to ease and speed up the development of computationally efficient programs. It is based on a clear conceptual distinction between the solution methods and the multi-objective problems they are intended to solve. This separation confers a maximum design and code reuse. ParadisEO-MOEO provides a broad range of archive-related features (such as elitism or performance metrics) and the most common Pareto-based fitness assignment strategies (MOGA, NSGA, SPEA, IBEA and more). Furthermore, parallel and distributed models as well as hybridization mechanisms can be applied to an algorithm designed within ParadisEO-MOEO using the whole version of ParadisEO. In addition, GUIMOO, a platform-independant free software dedicated to results analysis for multi-objective problems, is briefly introduced.

On dominance-based multiobjective local search: design, implementation and experimental analysis on scheduling and traveling salesman problems

This paper discusses simple local search approaches for approximating the efficient set of multiobjective combinatorial optimization problems. We focus on algorithms defined by a neighborhood structure and a dominance relation that iteratively improve an archive of nondominated solutions. Such methods are referred to as dominance-based multiobjective local search. We first provide a concise overview of existing algorithms, and we propose a model trying to unify them through a fine-grained decomposition. The main problem-independent search components of dominance relation, solution selection, neighborhood exploration and archiving are largely discussed. Then, a number of state-of-the-art and original strategies are experimented on solving a permutation flowshop scheduling problem and a traveling salesman problem, both on a two- and a three-objective formulation. Experimental results and a statistical comparison are reported in the paper, and some directions for future research are highlighted.

A parallel multiple reference point approach for multi-objective optimization

This paper presents a multiple reference point approach for multi-objective optimization problems of discrete and combinatorial nature. When approximating the Pareto Frontier, multiple reference points can be used instead of traditional techniques. These multiple reference points can easily be implemented in a parallel algorithmic framework. The reference points can be uniformly distributed within a region that covers the Pareto Frontier. An evolutionary algorithm is based on an achievement scalarizing function that does not impose any restrictions with respect to the location of the reference points in the objective space. Computational experiments are performed on a bi-objective flow-shop scheduling problem. Results, quality measures as well as a statistical analysis are reported in the paper.

A software framework based on a conceptual unified model for evolutionary multiobjective optimization: ParadisEO-MOEO

This paper presents a general-purpose software framework dedicated to the design and the implementation of evolutionary multiobjective optimization techniques: ParadisEO-MOEO. A concise overview of evolutionary algorithms for multiobjective optimization is given. A substantial number of methods has been proposed so far, and an attempt of conceptually unifying existing approaches is presented here. Based on a fine-grained decomposition and following the main issues of fitness assignment, diversity preservation and elitism, a conceptual model is proposed and is validated by regarding a number of state-of-the-art algorithms as simple variants of the same structure. This model is then incorporated into the ParadisEO-MOEO software framework. This framework has proven its validity and high flexibility by enabling the resolution of many academic, real-world and hard multiobjective optimization problems.

On the structure of multiobjective combinatorial search space: MNK-landscapes with correlated objectives

The structure of the search space explains the behavior of multiobjective search algorithms, and helps to design well-performing approaches. In this work, we analyze the properties of multiobjective combinatorial search spaces, and we pay a particular attention to the correlation between the objective functions. To do so, we extend the multiobjective NK-landscapes in order to take the objective correlation into account. We study the co-influence of the problem dimension, the degree of non-linearity, the number of objectives, and the objective correlation on the structure of the Pareto optimal set, in terms of cardinality and number of supported solutions, as well as on the number of Pareto local optima. This work concludes with guidelines for the design of multiobjective local search algorithms, based on the main fitness landscape features.

CoBRA: A cooperative coevolutionary algorithm for bi-level optimization

This article presents CoBRA, a new evolutionary algorithm, based on a coevolutionary scheme, to solve bi-level optimization problems. It handles population-based algorithms on each level, each one cooperating with the other to provide solutions for the overall problem. Moreover, in order to evaluate the relevance of CoBRA against more classical approaches, a new performance assessment methodology, based on rationality, is introduced. An experimental analysis is conducted on a bi-level distribution planning problem, where multiple manufacturing plants deliver items to depots, and where a distribution company controls several depots and distributes items from depots to retailers. The experimental results reveal significant enhancements, particularly over the lower level, with respect to a more classical approach based on a hierarchical scheme.

Combinatorial optimization of stochastic multi-objective problems: an application to the flow-shop scheduling problem

The importance of multi-objective optimization is globably established nowadays. Furthermore, a great part of real-world problems are subject to uncertainties due to, e.g., noisy or approximated fitness function(s), varying parameters or dynamic environments. Moreover, although evolutionary algorithms are commonly used to solve multi-objective problems on the one hand and to solve stochastic problems on the other hand, very few approaches combine simultaneously these two aspects. Thus, flow-shop scheduling problems are generally studied in a single-objective deterministic way whereas they are, by nature, multi-objective and are subjected to a wide range of uncertainties. However, these two features have never been investigated at the same time. In this paper, we present and adopt a proactive stochastic approach where processing times are represented by random variables. Then, we propose several multi-objective methods that are able to handle any type of probability distribution. Finally, we experiment these methods on a stochastic bi-objective flow-shop problem.

Solving a dial-a-ride problem with a hybrid evolutionary multi-objective approach: Application to demand responsive transport

Demand responsive transport allows customers to be carried to their destination as with a taxi service, provided that the customers are grouped in the same vehicles in order to reduce operational costs. This kind of service is related to the dial-a-ride problem. However, in order to improve the quality of service, demand responsive transport needs more flexibility. This paper tries to address this issue by proposing an original evolutionary approach. In order to propose a set of compromise solutions to the decision-maker, this approach optimizes three objectives concurrently. Moreover, in order to intensify the search process, this multi-objective evolutionary approach is hybridized with a local search. Results obtained on random and realistic problems are detailed to compare three state-of-the-art algorithms and discussed from an operational point of view.

ParadisEO-MO: from fitness landscape analysis to efficient local search algorithms

This paper presents a general-purpose software framework dedicated to the design, the analysis and the implementation of local search metaheuristics: ParadisEO-MO. A substantial number of single solution-based local search metaheuristics has been proposed so far, and an attempt of unifying existing approaches is here presented. Based on a fine-grained decomposition, a conceptual model is proposed and is validated by regarding a number of state-of-the-art methodologies as simple variants of the same structure. This model is then incorporated into the ParadisEO-MO software framework. This framework has proven its efficiency and high flexibility by enabling the resolution of many academic and real-world optimization problems from science and industry.

A hybrid metaheuristic for multiobjective unconstrained binary quadratic programming

The conventional unconstrained binary quadratic programming (UBQP) problem is known to be a unified modeling and solution framework for many combinatorial optimization problems. This paper extends the single-objective UBQP to the multiobjective case (mUBQP) where multiple objectives are to be optimized simultaneously. We propose a hybrid metaheuristic which combines an elitist evolutionary multiobjective optimization algorithm and a state-of-the-art single-objective tabu search procedure by using an achievement scalarizing function. Finally, we define a formal model to generate mUBQP instances and validate the performance of the proposed approach in obtaining competitive results on large-size mUBQP instances with two and three objectives.