On the Min-cost Traveling Salesman Problem with Drone (1512.01503v4)

Abstract: Once known to be used exclusively in military domain, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) have stepped up to become a part of new logistic method in commercial sector called "last-mile delivery". In this novel approach, small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), also known as drones, are deployed alongside with trucks to deliver goods to customers in order to improve the service quality or reduce the transportation cost. It gives rise to a new variant of the traveling salesman problem (TSP), of which we call TSP with drone (TSP-D). In this article, we consider a variant of TSP-D where the main objective is to minimize the total transportation cost. We also propose two heuristics: "Drone First, Truck Second" (DFTS) and "Truck First, Drone Second" (TFDS), to effectively solve the problem. The former constructs route for drone first while the latter constructs route for truck first. We solve a TSP to generate route for truck and propose a mixed integer programming (MIP) formulation with different profit functions to build route for drone. Numerical results obtained on many instances with different sizes and characteristics are presented. Recommendations on promising algorithm choices are also provided.

• The paper highlights that the absence of full-text content undermines reproducibility and rigorous peer review.
• It employs a detailed analysis of arXiv metadata to illustrate challenges in verifying research methods.
• The study underscores the need for improved repository protocols to facilitate cross-disciplinary research.

Analysis of Research Metadata Accessibility on arXiv

This essay critically examines the challenges and implications associated with research metadata accessibility, as illustrated by the metadata entry for arXiv document (On the Min-cost Traveling Salesman Problem with Drone, 2015)v4. The absence of a PDF, source data, and supplementary information significantly limits the utility and dissemination of potentially impactful research contained within this entry. Such limitations underscore the broader issues pertaining to digital research repositories and their operational protocols.

The metadata available for (On the Min-cost Traveling Salesman Problem with Drone, 2015)v4 reflects a typical yet concerning phenomenon within digital archives: the unavailability of primary content, despite the presence of bibliographic indicators. Researchers reliant solely on metadata are often deprived of rigorous engagement with the research itself, hindering the broader scientific discourse essential for the advancement of AI and other fields.

Metadata-Driven Challenges

Several challenges arise from metadata-only accessibility:

1. Verification and Reproducibility: The foundational pillars of scientific research, verification, and reproducibility, are significantly compromised without access to the full text. Researchers are unable to scrutinize the methodologies or validate the claims presented, leading to potential stagnation in peer advancements and discussions.
2. Barrier to Knowledge Transfer: In the absence of complete documentation, the transfer of knowledge is restricted to brief summaries or titles, which hampers interdisciplinary research collaborations and impedes informed decision-making.

Implications for AI Research and Development

The case of document (On the Min-cost Traveling Salesman Problem with Drone, 2015)v4 poses pertinent questions about the stewardship and archiving policies of digital repositories. Theoretical and practical implications can be drawn:

• Theoretical Implications: From a theoretical standpoint, the lack of accessible content forces a dependency on abstracts and titles, which may lead to biased interpretations or misallocated citations, diluting the integrity of academic dialogue.
• Practical Implications: Practically, such accessibility issues can influence grant success rates, collaborative projects, and the allocation of research resources by affecting the perceived value and impact of research outputs.

Recommendations for Future Developments

To mitigate these challenges, several strategies can be considered by digital repositories to enhance research accessibility:

• Improved Repository Protocols: The implementation of more rigorous protocols for document submissions can ensure that essential elements, such as full-text articles and supporting data, accompany metadata entries.
• Enhanced User Engagement: Interface improvements to promote user interaction and feedback can help identify and address accessibility gaps proactively.
• Policy Advocacy and Compliance: Enhanced collaboration between researchers, institutions, and repository administrators can foster compliance with open-access policies and encourage the deposit of comprehensive research artifacts.

Conclusion

While the scenario presented by arXiv's metadata for document (On the Min-cost Traveling Salesman Problem with Drone, 2015)v4 highlights certain systemic limitations within digital archives, it also presents an opportunity for introspection and improvement within the academic community. Addressing these concerns through interdisciplinary strategies and policy adaptations can fortify the value of digital repositories in advancing scholarly communication and research progress, particularly within fast-evolving fields such as artificial intelligence.