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Online packing of arbitrary sized items into designated and multipurpose bins

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  • Goldberg, Noam
  • Karhi, Shlomo

Abstract

We consider an online multitype bin-packing problem with two item types. This setting can be motivated by transport applications in which some items may be shipped either in dry shipping containers or more costly refrigerated ones, while other items can only be transported in refrigerated containers. The problem was introduced by Goldberg and Karhi [Omega 71:85-92, 2017] who focused on the case of up to two item types, three bin types and only two item sizes. For this special case a tight (also known as optimal) absolute competitive ratio was shown of approximately 1.618. Here we consider the general problem of arbitrary item sizes and show a lower bound on the absolute competitive ratio of any online algorithm that is a function of the bin costs. This bound in the worst-case is approximately 1.781. We then extend the first-fit method to our problem setting and prove an absolute competitive ratio bound that is a function of the bin costs. In the worst case this upper bound is approximately 1.930. In addition an upper bound of 1.750 is established on the worst-case asymptotic (as the number of items grows large) competitive ratio.

Suggested Citation

  • Goldberg, Noam & Karhi, Shlomo, 2019. "Online packing of arbitrary sized items into designated and multipurpose bins," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 279(1), pages 54-67.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:279:y:2019:i:1:p:54-67
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2019.05.029
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hans Kellerer & Joseph Y.‐T. Leung & Chung‐Lun Li, 2011. "Multiple subset sum with inclusive assignment set restrictions," Naval Research Logistics (NRL), John Wiley & Sons, vol. 58(6), pages 546-563, September.
    2. Karhi, Shlomo & Shabtay, Dvir, 2014. "Online scheduling of two job types on a set of multipurpose machines," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 155-162.
    3. Kang, Jangha & Park, Sungsoo, 2003. "Algorithms for the variable sized bin packing problem," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 147(2), pages 365-372, June.
    4. Gerard M. Campbell, 1999. "Cross-Utilization of Workers Whose Capabilities Differ," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 45(5), pages 722-732, May.
    5. Shlomo Karhi & Dvir Shabtay, 2013. "On the optimality of the TLS algorithm for solving the online-list scheduling problem with two job types on a set of multipurpose machines," Journal of Combinatorial Optimization, Springer, vol. 26(1), pages 198-222, July.
    6. Goldberg, Noam & Karhi, Shlomo, 2017. "Packing into designated and multipurpose bins: A theoretical study and application to the cold chain," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 85-92.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lin, Qi & Zhao, Qiuhong & Lev, Benjamin, 2020. "Cold chain transportation decision in the vaccine supply chain," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 283(1), pages 182-195.

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