Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Soft Computing 7/2012

01.07.2012 | Original Paper

Using particle swarm optimization to solve effectively the school timetabling problem

verfasst von: Ioannis X. Tassopoulos, Grigorios N. Beligiannis

Erschienen in: Soft Computing | Ausgabe 7/2012

Einloggen

Aktivieren Sie unsere intelligente Suche, um passende Fachinhalte oder Patente zu finden.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

A new hybrid adaptive algorithm based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) is designed, developed and applied to the high school timetabling problem. The proposed PSO algorithm is used to create feasible and efficient timetables for high schools in Greece. Experiments with real-world data coming from different high schools have been conducted to show the efficiency of the proposed PSO algorithm. As well as that, the algorithm has been compared with four other effective techniques found in the literature to demonstrate its efficiency and superior performance. In order to have a fair comparison with these algorithms, we decided to use the exact same input instances used by these algorithms. The proposed PSO algorithm outperforms, in most cases, other existing attempts to solve the same problem as shown by experimental results.

Sie haben noch keine Lizenz? Dann Informieren Sie sich jetzt über unsere Produkte:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe




 

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Literatur
Zurück zum Zitat Aladag CH, Hocaoglu G, Basaran MA (2009) The effect of neighborhood structures on tabu search algorithm in solving course timetabling problem. Expert Syst Appl 36(10):12349–12356CrossRef Aladag CH, Hocaoglu G, Basaran MA (2009) The effect of neighborhood structures on tabu search algorithm in solving course timetabling problem. Expert Syst Appl 36(10):12349–12356CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat AlRashidi MR, El-Hawary ME (2009) A survey of particle swarm optimization applications in electric power systems. IEEE Trans Evol Comput 13(4):913–918CrossRef AlRashidi MR, El-Hawary ME (2009) A survey of particle swarm optimization applications in electric power systems. IEEE Trans Evol Comput 13(4):913–918CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Beligiannis GN, Moschopoulos CN, Kaperonis GP, Likothanassis SD (2008) Applying evolutionary computation to the school timetabling problem: the Greek case. Comput Oper Res 35(4):1265–1280MATHCrossRef Beligiannis GN, Moschopoulos CN, Kaperonis GP, Likothanassis SD (2008) Applying evolutionary computation to the school timetabling problem: the Greek case. Comput Oper Res 35(4):1265–1280MATHCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Beligiannis GN, Moschopoulos CN, Likothanassis SD (2009) A genetic algorithm approach to school timetabling. J Oper Res Soc 60(1):23–42MATHCrossRef Beligiannis GN, Moschopoulos CN, Likothanassis SD (2009) A genetic algorithm approach to school timetabling. J Oper Res Soc 60(1):23–42MATHCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Bilgin B, Özcan E, Korkmaz EE (2006) An experimental study on hyper-heuristics and exam timetabling. In: Proceedings of the 6th international conference on the practice and theory of automated timetabling, pp 123–140 Bilgin B, Özcan E, Korkmaz EE (2006) An experimental study on hyper-heuristics and exam timetabling. In: Proceedings of the 6th international conference on the practice and theory of automated timetabling, pp 123–140
Zurück zum Zitat Brodersen OB (2008) Eignung schwarmintelligenter Verfahren für die betriebliche Entscheidungsunterstützung. Cuvillier (in German) Brodersen OB (2008) Eignung schwarmintelligenter Verfahren für die betriebliche Entscheidungsunterstützung. Cuvillier (in German)
Zurück zum Zitat Burke EK, Newall JP (2004) Solving examination timetabling problems through adaption of heuristic orderings. Ann Oper Res 129(1–4):107–134MathSciNetMATHCrossRef Burke EK, Newall JP (2004) Solving examination timetabling problems through adaption of heuristic orderings. Ann Oper Res 129(1–4):107–134MathSciNetMATHCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Burke EK, Petrovic S (2002) Recent research directions in automated timetabling. Eur J Oper Res 140:266–280MATHCrossRef Burke EK, Petrovic S (2002) Recent research directions in automated timetabling. Eur J Oper Res 140:266–280MATHCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Burke E, Bykov Y, Petrovic S (2001) A multicriteria approach to examination timetabling. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2079. Springer, Berlin, pp 118–131 Burke E, Bykov Y, Petrovic S (2001) A multicriteria approach to examination timetabling. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2079. Springer, Berlin, pp 118–131
Zurück zum Zitat Burke EK, MacCarthy B, Petrovic S, Qu R (2001). Case-based reasoning in course timetabling: an attribute graph approach. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2080. Springer, Berlin, pp 90–104 Burke EK, MacCarthy B, Petrovic S, Qu R (2001). Case-based reasoning in course timetabling: an attribute graph approach. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2080. Springer, Berlin, pp 90–104
Zurück zum Zitat Burke EK, Kendall G, Soubeiga E (2003) A tabu-search hyperheuristic for timetabling and rostering. J Heuristics 9(6):451–470CrossRef Burke EK, Kendall G, Soubeiga E (2003) A tabu-search hyperheuristic for timetabling and rostering. J Heuristics 9(6):451–470CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Burke E, Bykov Y, Newall J, Petrovic S (2004) A time-predefined local search approach to exam timetabling problems. IIE Trans 36(6):509–528CrossRef Burke E, Bykov Y, Newall J, Petrovic S (2004) A time-predefined local search approach to exam timetabling problems. IIE Trans 36(6):509–528CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Burke EK, McCollum B, Meisels A, Petrovic S, Qu R (2007) A graph-based hyper heuristic for educational timetabling problems. Eur J Oper Res 176:177–192MathSciNetMATHCrossRef Burke EK, McCollum B, Meisels A, Petrovic S, Qu R (2007) A graph-based hyper heuristic for educational timetabling problems. Eur J Oper Res 176:177–192MathSciNetMATHCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Burke EK, Mareček J, Parkes AJ, Rudová H (2010) Decomposition, reformulation, and diving in university course timetabling. Comput Oper Res 37(3):582–597MathSciNetMATHCrossRef Burke EK, Mareček J, Parkes AJ, Rudová H (2010) Decomposition, reformulation, and diving in university course timetabling. Comput Oper Res 37(3):582–597MathSciNetMATHCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Cambazard H, Demazeau F, Jussien N, David P (2005) Interactively solving school timetabling problems using extensions of constraint programming. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 3616. Springer, Berlin, pp 190–207 Cambazard H, Demazeau F, Jussien N, David P (2005) Interactively solving school timetabling problems using extensions of constraint programming. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 3616. Springer, Berlin, pp 190–207
Zurück zum Zitat Chatterjee A, Siarry P (2006) Nonlinear inertia weight variation for dynamic adaptation in particle swarm optimization. Comput Oper Res 33:859–871MATHCrossRef Chatterjee A, Siarry P (2006) Nonlinear inertia weight variation for dynamic adaptation in particle swarm optimization. Comput Oper Res 33:859–871MATHCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Chu S-C, Chen Y-T, Ho J-H (2006) Timetable scheduling using particle swarm optimization. In: Proceedings of the 1st international conference on innovative computing, information and control, pp 324–327 Chu S-C, Chen Y-T, Ho J-H (2006) Timetable scheduling using particle swarm optimization. In: Proceedings of the 1st international conference on innovative computing, information and control, pp 324–327
Zurück zum Zitat Coelho JP, de Moura Oliveira PB, Boaventura Cunha J (2005) Greenhouse air temperature predictive control using the particle swarm optimisation algorithm. Comput Electron Agric 49:330–344CrossRef Coelho JP, de Moura Oliveira PB, Boaventura Cunha J (2005) Greenhouse air temperature predictive control using the particle swarm optimisation algorithm. Comput Electron Agric 49:330–344CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat De Falco I, Della Cioppa A, Tarantino E (2007) Facing classification problems with particle swarm optimization. Appl Soft Comput 7:652–658CrossRef De Falco I, Della Cioppa A, Tarantino E (2007) Facing classification problems with particle swarm optimization. Appl Soft Comput 7:652–658CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat De Haan P, Landman R, Post G, Ruizenaar H (2006) A four-phase approach to a timetabling problem in secondary schools. In: Proceedings of the 6th international conference on the practice and theory of automated timetabling, pp 423–425 De Haan P, Landman R, Post G, Ruizenaar H (2006) A four-phase approach to a timetabling problem in secondary schools. In: Proceedings of the 6th international conference on the practice and theory of automated timetabling, pp 423–425
Zurück zum Zitat Di Gaspero L, Schaerf A (2001) Tabu search techniques for examination timetabling. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2079. Springer, Berlin, pp 104–117 Di Gaspero L, Schaerf A (2001) Tabu search techniques for examination timetabling. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2079. Springer, Berlin, pp 104–117
Zurück zum Zitat Günther M (2010) Hochflexibles Workforce Management. Herausforderungen und Lösungsverfahren, Dissertation, TU Ilmenau (in German) Günther M (2010) Hochflexibles Workforce Management. Herausforderungen und Lösungsverfahren, Dissertation, TU Ilmenau (in German)
Zurück zum Zitat Günther M, Nissen V (2009) A comparison of neighbourhood topologies for staff scheduling with particle swarm optimisation. In: Mertsching B, Marcus H, Aziz Z (Hrsg): KI 2009: advances in artificial intelligence, 32nd annual conference on AI, 15–18 Sept., Paderborn, LNAI 5803. Springer, Berlin, pp 185–192 Günther M, Nissen V (2009) A comparison of neighbourhood topologies for staff scheduling with particle swarm optimisation. In: Mertsching B, Marcus H, Aziz Z (Hrsg): KI 2009: advances in artificial intelligence, 32nd annual conference on AI, 15–18 Sept., Paderborn, LNAI 5803. Springer, Berlin, pp 185–192
Zurück zum Zitat Jacobsen F, Bortfeldt A, Gehring H (2006) Timetabling at German secondary schools: tabu search versus constraint programming. In: Proceedings of the 6th international conference on the practice and theory of automated timetabling, pp 439–442 Jacobsen F, Bortfeldt A, Gehring H (2006) Timetabling at German secondary schools: tabu search versus constraint programming. In: Proceedings of the 6th international conference on the practice and theory of automated timetabling, pp 439–442
Zurück zum Zitat Kennedy J, Eberhart R (1995) Particle swarm optimization. In: Proceedings of IEEE international conference on neural networks IV, pp 1942–1948 Kennedy J, Eberhart R (1995) Particle swarm optimization. In: Proceedings of IEEE international conference on neural networks IV, pp 1942–1948
Zurück zum Zitat Kennedy J, Eberhart RC, Shi Y (2001) Swarm intelligence. Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, San Francisco Kennedy J, Eberhart RC, Shi Y (2001) Swarm intelligence. Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, San Francisco
Zurück zum Zitat Kingston JH (2004) A tiling algorithm for high school timetabling. In: Proceedings of the 5th international conference on practice and theory of automated timetabling, pp 233–249 Kingston JH (2004) A tiling algorithm for high school timetabling. In: Proceedings of the 5th international conference on practice and theory of automated timetabling, pp 233–249
Zurück zum Zitat Kingston JH (2006) The KTS high school timetabling system. In: Proceedings of the 6th international conference on the practice and theory of automated timetabling, pp 181–195 Kingston JH (2006) The KTS high school timetabling system. In: Proceedings of the 6th international conference on the practice and theory of automated timetabling, pp 181–195
Zurück zum Zitat McCollum B (2006) University timetabling: bridging the gap between research and practice. In: Proceedings of the 6th international conference on the practice and theory of automated timetabling, pp 15–35 McCollum B (2006) University timetabling: bridging the gap between research and practice. In: Proceedings of the 6th international conference on the practice and theory of automated timetabling, pp 15–35
Zurück zum Zitat Nedjah N, de Macedo Mourelle L (2004) Evolutionary time scheduling. In: Proceedings of the international conference on information technology, coding and computing (ITCC’04), vol 2, pp 357–361 Nedjah N, de Macedo Mourelle L (2004) Evolutionary time scheduling. In: Proceedings of the international conference on information technology, coding and computing (ITCC’04), vol 2, pp 357–361
Zurück zum Zitat Nissen V, Günther M, Schumann R (2011) Integrated generation of working time models and staff schedules in workforce management. In: Di Chio C (Hrsg.): Proceedings Evoapplications, 27.-29. Apr., Torino, LNCS 6625, 2. Springer, Berlin, pp 491–500 Nissen V, Günther M, Schumann R (2011) Integrated generation of working time models and staff schedules in workforce management. In: Di Chio C (Hrsg.): Proceedings Evoapplications, 27.-29. Apr., Torino, LNCS 6625, 2. Springer, Berlin, pp 491–500
Zurück zum Zitat Papoutsis K, Valouxis C, Housos E (2003) A column generation approach for the timetabling problem of greek high schools. J Oper Res Soc 54(3):230–238MATHCrossRef Papoutsis K, Valouxis C, Housos E (2003) A column generation approach for the timetabling problem of greek high schools. J Oper Res Soc 54(3):230–238MATHCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Petrovic S, Yang Y, Dror M (2007) Case-based selection of initialisation heuristics for metaheuristic examination timetabling. Expert Syst Appl 33(3):772–785CrossRef Petrovic S, Yang Y, Dror M (2007) Case-based selection of initialisation heuristics for metaheuristic examination timetabling. Expert Syst Appl 33(3):772–785CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Poli R (2008) Analysis of the publications on the applications of particle swarm optimisation. J Artif Evol Appl 2008:1–10 Poli R (2008) Analysis of the publications on the applications of particle swarm optimisation. J Artif Evol Appl 2008:1–10
Zurück zum Zitat Qarouni-Fard D, Najafi-Ardabili A, Moeinzadeh M-H (2007) Finding feasible timetables with particle swarm optimization. In: Proceedings of the 4th international conference on innovations in information technology, pp 387–391 Qarouni-Fard D, Najafi-Ardabili A, Moeinzadeh M-H (2007) Finding feasible timetables with particle swarm optimization. In: Proceedings of the 4th international conference on innovations in information technology, pp 387–391
Zurück zum Zitat Qu R, Burke E, McCollum B, Merlot L, Lee S (2006) A survey of search methodologies and automated approaches for examination timetabling, Technical Report No. NOTTCS-TR-2006-4, School of Computer Science and IT, University of Nottingham Qu R, Burke E, McCollum B, Merlot L, Lee S (2006) A survey of search methodologies and automated approaches for examination timetabling, Technical Report No. NOTTCS-TR-2006-4, School of Computer Science and IT, University of Nottingham
Zurück zum Zitat Ross P, Hart E, Corne D (2003) Genetic algorithms and timetabling. Natural computing series, advances in evolutionary computing: theory and applications, pp 755–777 Ross P, Hart E, Corne D (2003) Genetic algorithms and timetabling. Natural computing series, advances in evolutionary computing: theory and applications, pp 755–777
Zurück zum Zitat Rossi-Doria O, Sampels M, Birattari M, Chiarandini M, Dorigo M, Gambardella LM et al (2003) A comparison of the performance of different metaheuristics on the timetabling problem. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2740. Springer, Berlin, pp 329–351 Rossi-Doria O, Sampels M, Birattari M, Chiarandini M, Dorigo M, Gambardella LM et al (2003) A comparison of the performance of different metaheuristics on the timetabling problem. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2740. Springer, Berlin, pp 329–351
Zurück zum Zitat Rudova H, Murray K (2003) University course timetabling with soft constraints. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2740. Springer, Berlin, pp 310–328 Rudova H, Murray K (2003) University course timetabling with soft constraints. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2740. Springer, Berlin, pp 310–328
Zurück zum Zitat Schaerf A, Meisels A (2000) Solving employee timetabling problems by generalized local search. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 1792. Springer, Berlin, pp 380–389 Schaerf A, Meisels A (2000) Solving employee timetabling problems by generalized local search. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 1792. Springer, Berlin, pp 380–389
Zurück zum Zitat Smith KA, Abramson D, Duke D (2003) Hopfield neural networks for timetabling: formulations, methods, and comparative results. Comput Ind Eng 44(2):283–305CrossRef Smith KA, Abramson D, Duke D (2003) Hopfield neural networks for timetabling: formulations, methods, and comparative results. Comput Ind Eng 44(2):283–305CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Socha K, Knowles J, Sampels M (2002) A MAX–MIN ant system for the university course timetabling problem. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2463. Springer, Berlin, pp 1–13 Socha K, Knowles J, Sampels M (2002) A MAX–MIN ant system for the university course timetabling problem. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2463. Springer, Berlin, pp 1–13
Zurück zum Zitat Ten Eikelder HMM, Willemen RJ (2001). Some complexity aspects of secondary school timetabling problems. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2079. Springer, Berlin, pp 18–27 Ten Eikelder HMM, Willemen RJ (2001). Some complexity aspects of secondary school timetabling problems. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2079. Springer, Berlin, pp 18–27
Zurück zum Zitat Trick MA (2001) A schedule-then-break approach to sports timetabling. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2079. Springer, Berlin, pp 242–253 Trick MA (2001) A schedule-then-break approach to sports timetabling. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2079. Springer, Berlin, pp 242–253
Zurück zum Zitat Valouxis C, Housos E (2003) Constraint programming approach for school timetabling. Comput Oper Res 30(10):1555–1572MATHCrossRef Valouxis C, Housos E (2003) Constraint programming approach for school timetabling. Comput Oper Res 30(10):1555–1572MATHCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Wang Y-Z (2003) Using genetic algorithm methods to solve course scheduling problems. Expert Syst Appl 25(1):39–50CrossRef Wang Y-Z (2003) Using genetic algorithm methods to solve course scheduling problems. Expert Syst Appl 25(1):39–50CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Wren A (1996) Scheduling, timetabling and rostering: a special relationship? Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 1153. Springer, Berlin, pp 46–75 Wren A (1996) Scheduling, timetabling and rostering: a special relationship? Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 1153. Springer, Berlin, pp 46–75
Zurück zum Zitat Xinchao Z (2010) A perturbed particle swarm algorithm for numerical optimization. Appl Soft Comput 10(1):119–124CrossRef Xinchao Z (2010) A perturbed particle swarm algorithm for numerical optimization. Appl Soft Comput 10(1):119–124CrossRef
Metadaten
Titel
Using particle swarm optimization to solve effectively the school timetabling problem
verfasst von
Ioannis X. Tassopoulos
Grigorios N. Beligiannis
Publikationsdatum
01.07.2012
Verlag
Springer-Verlag
Erschienen in
Soft Computing / Ausgabe 7/2012
Print ISSN: 1432-7643
Elektronische ISSN: 1433-7479
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00500-012-0809-5

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 7/2012

Soft Computing 7/2012 Zur Ausgabe