Abstract
Tabu search, also called adaptive memory programming, is a method for solving challenging problems in the field of optimization. The goal is to identify the best decisions or actions in order to maximize some measure of merit (such as maximizing profit, effectiveness, quality, and social or scientific benefit) or to minimize some measure of demerit (cost, inefficiency, waste, and social or scientific loss).
Practical applications in optimization addressed by tabu search are exceedingly challenging and pervade the fields of business, engineering, economics, and science. Everyday examples include problems in resource management, financial and investment planning, healthcare systems, energy and environmental policy, pattern classification, biotechnology, and a host of other areas. The complexity and importance of such problems has motivated a wealth of academic and practical research throughout the past several decades, in an effort to discover methods that are able to find solutions of higher quality than many found in the past and capable of producing such solutions within feasible time limits or at reduced computational cost.
Tabu search has emerged as one of the leading technologies for handling optimization problems that have proved difficult or impossible to solve with classical procedures that dominated the attention of textbooks and were considered the mainstays of available alternatives until recent times. A key feature of tabu search, underscored by its adaptive memory programming alias, is the use of special strategies designed to exploit adaptive memory. The idea is that an effective search for optimal solutions should involve a process of flexibly responding to the solution landscape in a manner that permits it to learn appropriate directions to take along with appropriate departures to explore new terrain. The adaptive memory feature of tabu search allows the implementation of procedures that are capable of searching this terrain economically and effectively.
∗The material of this chapter is in part adapted from the book Tabu Search, by Fred Glover and Manuel Laguna, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1997.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Recommended Reading
D. Ackley, A Connectionist Model for Genetic Hillclimbing (Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, 1987)
T. Bäck, F. Hoffmeister, H. Schwefel, A survey of evolution strategies, in Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Genetic Algorithms, San Diego, ed. by R. Belew, L. Booker (1991), pp. 2–9
R. Battiti, G. Tecchiolli, Parallel based search for combinatorial optimization: genetic algorithms and tabu search. Microprocess. Microsyst. 16, 351–367 (1992)
R. Battiti, G. Tecchiolli, The reactive tabu search. ORSA J. Comput. 6(2), 126–140 (1994)
D. Beyer, R. Ogier, Tabu learning: a neural network search method for solving nonconvex optimization problems, in Proceedings of the International Conference in Neural Networks (IEEE/INNS, Singapore, 1991)
A. Consiglio, S.A. Zenios, Designing portfolios of financial products via integrated simulation and optimization models. Oper. Res. 47(2), 195–208 (1999)
V.-D. Cung, T. Mautor, P. Michelon, A. Tavares, Scatter search for the Quadratic assignment problem, Laboratoire PRiSM-CNRS URA 1525, 1996
L. Davis, Adapting operator probabilities in genetic algorithms, in Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Genetic Algorithms (Morgan Kaufmann, San Mateo, 1989), pp. 61–69
D. De Werra, A. Hertz, Tabu search techniques: a tutorial and applications to neural networks. OR Spectrum 11, 131–141 (1989)
A.E. Eiben, P.-E. Raue, Z. Ruttkay, Genetic algorithms with multi-parent recombination, in Proceedings of the third international conference on parallel problem solving from nature (PPSN), ed. by Y. Davidor, H.-P. Schwefel, R. Manner (Springer, New York, 1994), pp. 78–87
L.J. Eschelman, J.D. Schaffer, Real-coded genetic algorithms and interval-schemata, Technical report, Phillips Laboratories, 1992
T. Feo, M.G.C. Resende, A probabilistic Heuristic for a computationally difficult set covering problem Oper. Res. Lett. 8, 67–71 (1989)
T. Feo, M.G.C. Resende, Greedy randomized adaptive search procedures. J. Global Opt. 2, 1–27 (1995)
C. Fleurent, F. Glover, P. Michelon, Z. Valli, A scatter search approach for unconstrained continuous optimization, in Proceedings of the 1996 IEEE International Conference on Evolutionary Computation (1996), pp. 643–648
A. Freville, G. Plateau, Heuristics and reduction methods for multiple constraint 0-1 linear programming problems. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 24, 206–215 (1986)
A. Freville, G. Plateau, An exact search for the solution of the surrogate dual of the 0-1 bidimensional Knapsack problem. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 68, 413–421 (1993)
F. Glover, D. Klingman, N Phillips, Netform modeling and applications, Special issue on the practice of mathematical programming. Interfaces 20(1), 7–27 (1990)
F. Glover, Parametric combinations of local job shop rules. Chapter IV, ONR Research Memorandum no. 117, GSIA, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 1963
F. Glover, A multiphase-dual algorithm for the zero-one integer programming problem. Oper. Res. 13(6), 879–919 (1965)
F. Glover, Surrogate constraints. Oper. Res. 16, 741–749 (1968)
F. Glover, Surrogate constraint duality in mathematical programming. Oper. Res. 23, 434–451 (1975)
F. Glover, Heuristics for integer programming using surrogate constraints. Decis. Sci. 8(1), 156–166 (1977)
F. Glover, Tabu search—part I. ORSA J. Comput. 1, 190–206 (1989)
F. Glover, Ejection chains, reference structures and alternating path methods for traveling salesman problems. University of Colorado. Shortened version published in Discret. Appl. Math. 65(1996), 223–253 (1992)
F. Glover, Genetic algorithms and scatter search: unsuspected potentials. Stat. Comput. 4, 131–140 (1994)
F. Glover, Scatter search and star-paths: beyond the genetic metaphor. OR Spektrum 17, 125–137 (1995)
F. Glover, A template for scatter search and path relinking, in Artificial Evolution, ed. by J.K. Hao, E. Lutton, E. Ronald, M. Schoenauer, D. Snyers. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 1363 (Springer, Berlin, 1997), pp. 13–54
F. Glover, Tabu search—uncharted domains. Ann. Oper. Res. 149(1), 89–98 (2007)
F. Glover, H. Greenberg, New approaches for Heuristic search: a bilateral linkage with artificial intelligence. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 39(2), 119–130 (1989)
F. Glover, G. Kochenberger, Critical event Tabu search for multidimensional Knapsack problems, in Meta-Heuristics: Theory and Applications, ed. by I.H. Osman, J.P. Kelly (Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, 1996), pp. 407–427
F. Glover, M. Laguna, Tabu Search (Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, 1997)
F. Glover, J.P. Kelly, M. Laguna, New advances and applications of combining simulation and optimization, in Proceedings of the 1996 Winter Simulation Conference, Coronado, ed. by J.M. Charnes, D.J. Morrice, D.T. Brunner, J.J. Swain (1996), pp. 144–152
F. Glover, G. Kochenberger, B. Alidaee, Adaptive memory Tabu search for binary quadratic programs. Manag. Sci. 44(3), 336–345 (1998)
F. Glover, J. Mulvey, D. Bai, M. Tapia, Integrative population analysis for better solutions to large-scale mathematical programs, Industrial Applications of Combinatorial Optimization, ed. by G. Yu (Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, 1998), pp. 212–237
F. Glover, M. Laguna, R. Marti, Fundamentals of scatter search and path relinking. Control Cybern. 29(3), 653–684 (2000)
H.J. Greenberg, W.P. Pierskalla, Surrogate mathematical programs. Oper. Res. 18, 924–939 (1970)
H.J. Greenberg, W.P. Pierskalla, Quasi-conjugate functions and surrogate duality. Cahiers du Centre d’Etudes de Recherche Operationelle 15, 437–448 (1973)
J.H. Holland, Adaptation in natural and artificial systems (University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, 1975)
D.S. Johnson, Local optimization and the traveling salesman problem, in Proceedings of the 17th International Colloquium on Automata, Languages and Programming (1990), pp. 446–460
M.H. Karwan, R.L. Rardin, Surrogate dual multiplier search procedures in integer programming. School of Industrial Systems Engineering, Report series no. J-77-13, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1976
M.H. Karwan, R.L. Rardin, Some relationships between lagrangian and surrogate duality in integer programming. Math. Program. 17, 230–334 (1979)
J. Kelly, B. Rangaswamy, J. Xu, A scatter search-based learning algorithm for neural network training. J. Heuristics 2, 129–146 (1996)
M. Laguna, Optimizing complex systems with OptQuest. Research report, University of Colorado, 1997
M. Laguna, T. Feo, H. Elrod, A greedy randomized adaptive search procedure for the 2-partition problem. Oper. Res. 42(4), 677–687 (1994)
M. Laguna, F. Glover, Integrating target analysis and Tabu search for improved scheduling systems. Expert Syst. Appl. 6, 287–297 (1993)
M. Laguna, R. Marti, GRASP and Path Relinking for 2-Layer straight line crossing minimization. INFORMS J. Comput. 11(1), 44–52 (1999)
M. Laguna, R. Martí, V. Campos, Tabu search with path relinking for the linear ordering problem. Research report, University of Colorado, 1997
M. Laguna, R. Marti, V. Valls, Arc crossing minimization in hierarchical digraphs with Tabu search. Comput. Oper. Res. 24(12), 1175–1186 (1997)
A. Lokketangen, K. Jornsten, S. Storoy, Tabu search within a pivot and complement framework. Int. Trans. Oper. Res. 1(3), 305–316 (1994)
A. Lokketangen, F. Glover, Probabilistic move selection in Tabu search for 0/1 mixed integer programming problems, in Meta-Heuristics: Theory and Applications, ed. by I.H. Osman, J.P. Kelly (Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, 1996), pp. 467–488
A. Lokketangen, F. Glover, Surrogate constraint analysis—new heuristics and learning schemes for satisfiability problems, in Proceedings of the DIMACS workshop on Satisfiability Problems: Theory and Applications, Providence, ed. by D.-Z. Du, J. Gu, P. Pardalos (1997)
H.R. Lourenco, M. Zwijnenburg, Combining the large-step optimization with Tabu search: application to the job shop scheduling problem, in Meta-Heuristics: Theory and Applications, ed. by I.H. Osman, J.P. Kelly (Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, 1996), pp. 219–236
O. Martin, S.W. Otto, E.W. Felten, Large-step Markov chains for the traveling salesman problem. Complex Syst. 5(3), 299–326 (1991)
O. Martin, S.W. Otto, E.W. Felten, Large-step Markov chains for TSP incorporating local search heuristics. Oper. Res. Lett. 11(4), 219–224 (1992)
Z. Michalewicz, C. Janikow, Genetic algorithms for numerical optimization. Stat. Comput. 1, 75–91 (1991)
H. Mühlenbein, D. Schlierkamp-Voosen, The science of breeding and its application to the Breeder genetic algorithm. Evolut. Computat. 1, 335–360 (1994)
H. Mühlenbein, H.-M. Voigt, Gene pool recombination in genetic algorithms, Meta-Heurisitics: Theory and Applications, ed. by I.H. Osman, J.P. Kelly (Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, 1996), 53–62
H. Mühlenbein, M. Gorges-Schleuter, O. Krämer, Evolution algorithms in combinatorial optimization. Parallel Comput. 7, 65–88 (1988)
K. Nonobe, T. Ibaraki, A Tabu search approach for the constraint satisfaction problem as a general problem solver. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 106, 599–623 (1998)
K. Nonobe, T. Ibaraki, An improved tabu search method for the weighted constraint satisfaction problem. INFOR 39, 131–151 (2001)
A.P. Punnen, F. Glover, Ejection chains with combinatorial leverage for the traveling salesman problem, Graduate School of Business, University of Colorado at Boulder, 1997
S. Rana, D. Whitley, Bit representations with a twist, in Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Genetic Algorithms, ed. by T. Baeck (Morgan Kaufman, San Francisco, 1997), pp. 188–196
C. Rego, F. Glover, Ejection chain and filter-and-fan methods in combinatorial optimization. Ann. Oper. Res. (2009). Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, doi:10.1007/s10479-009-0656-7
Y. Rochat, É.D. Taillard, Probabilistic diversification and intensification in local search for vehicle routing. J. Heuristics 1, 147–167 (1995)
W.M. Spears, K.A. DeJong, On the virtues of uniform crossover, in Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Genetic Algorithms, La Jolla, CA, 1991
É.D. Taillard, A heuristic column generation method for the heterogeneous VRP. Publication CRT-96-03, Centre de recherche sur les transports, Université de Montréal. To appear in RAIRO-OR, 1996
T. Trafalis, I. Al-Harkan, A continuous scatter search approach for Global optimization. Extended abstract in Conference in Applied Mathematical Programming and Modeling (APMOD’95), London, UK, 1995
N.L.J. Ulder, E. Pech, P.J.M. van Laarhoven, H.J. Bandelt, E.H.L. Aarts, Genetic local search algorithm for the traveling salesman problem, in Parallel Problem Solving from Nature, ed. by R. Maenner, H.P. Schwefel (Springer, Berlin, 1991), pp. 109–116
D. Whitley, V.S. Gordon, K. Mathias, Lamarckian evolution, the Baldwin effect and function optimization, in Proceedings of the Parallel Problem Solving from Nature, vol. 3 (Springer, New York, 1994) pp. 6–15
A.H. Wright, Genetic algorithms for real parameter optimization, Foundations of Genetic Algorithms, ed. by G. Rawlins, (Morgan Kaufmann, Los Altos, CA, 1990) pp. 205–218
T. Yamada, R. Nakano, Scheduling by Genetic local search with multi-step crossover, in Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Parallel Problem Solving from Nature, Berlin (1996), pp. 960–969
T. Yamada, C. Reeves, Permutation flowshop scheduling by genetic local search, in Proceedings of the 2nd IEE/IEEE International Conference on Genetic Algorithms in Engineering Systems (GALESIA ’97), Glasglow, UK (1997), pp. 232–238
S. Zenios, Dynamic financial modeling and optimizing the design of financial products, Presented at the National INFORMS Meeting, Washington, DC, 1996
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this entry
Cite this entry
Glover, F., Laguna, M. (2013). Tabu Search∗ . In: Pardalos, P., Du, DZ., Graham, R. (eds) Handbook of Combinatorial Optimization. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7997-1_17
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7997-1_17
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-7996-4
Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-7997-1
eBook Packages: Mathematics and StatisticsReference Module Computer Science and Engineering