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Minimum weight paths in time‐dependent networks
Author(s) -
Orda Ariel,
Rom Raphael
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
networks
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.977
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1097-0037
pISSN - 0028-3045
DOI - 10.1002/net.3230210304
Subject(s) - path (computing) , longest path problem , mathematics , mathematical optimization , minimum weight , link (geometry) , shortest path problem , computer science , combinatorics , graph , programming language
We investigate the minimum weight path problem in networks whose link weights and link delays are both functions of time. We demonstrate that, in general, there exist cases in which no finite path is optimal leading us to define an infinite path (naturally, containing loops) in such a way that the minimum weight problem always has a solution. We also characterize the structure of an infinite optimal path. In many practical cases, finite optimal paths do exist. We formulate a criterion that guarantees the existence of a finite optimal path and develop an algorithm to find such a path. Some special cases, e.g., optimal loopless paths, are also discussed.