Mixed integer linear programming model and an effective algorithm for the bi-objective double-floor corridor allocation problem

The bi-objective double-floor corridor allocation problem (bDFCAP) investigated here explores the effective placement of given departments in a double-floor space to minimise the overall flow cost and the corridor length objectives. Within each floor, departments are arranged in two parallel rows on opposite sides along a central corridor without overlapping. In this study, the bDFCAP is formulated as a mixed integer linear programming model, which has improved the performance over the previous one. Thereafter, a genetic algorithm with a variable neighbourhood search technique is designed and employed to solve the bDFCAP in a more effective manner. This technique is utilized to improve the local search capability by adaptively transforming between a deep-searching strategy and broad-searching strategy, and the superior performance of the proposed method is proven through comparisons with two other algorithms in current literature. Besides, the state-of-the-art lower bounds of several benchmark instances are updated.

Automated summary

This study investigates the bi-objective double-floor corridor allocation problem using a mixed integer linear programming model and a genetic algorithm with a variable neighbourhood search technique, demonstrating superior performance through comparisons and updating lower bounds of benchmark instances.