The Pheromone-Based Harmony Search Algorithm for the Asymmetric Traveling Salesman Problem

Abstract

This paper presents a modification of the Harmony Search algorithm (HS) adjusted to an effective solving of instances of the Asymmetric Traveling Salesman Problem. The improvement of the technique spans the application of a pheromone, which, by serving the role of long-term memory, enables the improvement of the quality of determined results, especially for tasks characterized by a significant number of vertices. The publication includes the results of tests that suggest the achievement of effectiveness improvement through the modification of the HS and recommendations concerning the proper configuration of the algorithm.

Keywords

• harmony search
• pheromone-based harmony search
• asymmetric traveling salesman problem
• metaheuristic