An Empirical Study of Multi-Point Constructive Search for Constraint-Based Scheduling

Multi-point constructive search (MPCS) performs a series of resource-limited backtracking searches where each search begins either from an empty solution (as in randomized restart) or from a solution that has been encountered during the search. We perform a systematic study of MPCS to evaluate the performance impact of various parameter settings. Results using job shop scheduling instances with two different optimization criteria, demonstrate that MPCS-based search is significantly better than standard chronological backtracking and randomized restart while raising a number of questions as to the underlying reasons for the observed performance.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2006
• Where: AIPS
• Authors: J. Christopher Beck
• Keywords: AIPS 2006, Artificial Intelligence, Multi-point Constructive Search, Resource-limited Backtracking Searches, Standard Chronological Backtracking