Pseudo-Boolean Solutions to Multidimensional Location Problems

Abstract

This paper presents a pseudo-boolean formulation of location problems based on a concept of a “dummy” supply source activated outside a given distribution. First, it formulates a simple location problem as a pseudo-boolean function that can be optimized with existing boolean optimization algorithms. Later the formulation is extended to multidimensional location problems. Two such problems are analyzed: the first involves a distribution system with plants for production of different commodities; the second involves a distribution system with consumer demand and its pattern varying with time.