A Modification Of Vogel’S Approximation Method Through The Use Of Heuristics

Abstract

Vogel’s Approximation Method (VAM) for finding an initial feasible solution for the classical transportation problem can be found in nearly all operations research textbooks. In this paper we propose several heuristics for use with VAM. They are shown to be both sensible and simple to apply. Computational findings are presented for test problems indicating the efficiency of the proposed heuristics. They result in a reduction of time and effort required to obtain an initial solution using VAM, whether the method is performed either by computer or manually.

Résumé

La Méthode d’Approximation de Vogel (MAV) qui permet de trouver initialement une solution possible, au problème classique de transport, peut être trouvee plus ou moins dans tous les manuels de recherches. Dans ce papier, on propose plusieurs heuristiques à utiliser avec La méthode (MAV). On veut montrer ici, qu’elles sont toutes les deux sensées et simples à appliquer. Les ésultats donnés par les ordinateurs sont présentes pour des problèmes d’essai indiquant l’éfficacité des heuristiques proposées. Elles résultent en une réduction de l’éffort et du temps exigés, afin d’obtenir une solution initiale qui utilise la (MAV), que cette methéde soit appliquée par un ordinateur ou bien à la main.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Daniel Shimshak

DANIEL G. SHIMSHAK is an associate professor of Management Sciences at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. He hotds a B ENG and M ENG from Stevens Institute of Technology and an MBA and PHD from City University of New York in Management Science. His current research interests are in the theory and application of series queueing systems. His research lias been published in Naval Research Logistics Quarterly, Journal of the Operational Research Society, International Journal of Production Research, and SCIMA.

James Alan Kaslik

JAMES ALAN KASLIK is an operations research anatyst with Air Products and Chemicats Inc., Altentown, PA. His current work includes cost-risk analysis projects using simulation and PERT/CPM. He hotds a BS from Rider Cottege in Decision Sciences and Computers.

Thomas Barclay

THOMAS D. BARCLAY is a senior software specialist with Digitat Equipment Corporation, New York. His current work is invotved with commercial minicomputer, data base operations. He hotds a BS from Rider Cottege in Decision Sciences and Computers.