A hybrid algorithm based on genetic algorithm and ant colony optimization for Traveling Salesman Problems

A hybrid algorithm (HA) integrated genetic algorithm (GA) with ant colony optimization (ACO) for solving Traveling Salesman Problems(TSP) was studied to get better optimization performance than each single algorithm, and complement merits each other and avoid each own demerits. The hybrid algorithm runs GA first and then ACO. A new strategy called GSA was proposed aiming at the key link in the HA that converts genetic solution from GA into information pheromone to distribute in ACO. GSA takes new matrix which is formed by the combination of the former 90% of individual from genetic solution and 10% of individual by random generation as the basis of transformation of pheromone value. The best combination of genetic operators in GA was also discussed. Several TSP were used as simulation tests to test genetic operators matching and optimization performance of HA. The results show that PMX crossover matched with IVM mutation in the GA is the best combination of genetic operators which is able to make GA improve the precision of optimal solution, and HA using the best combination operators and GSA strategy is successful and available to search for optimal solution in high efficiency and has good convergence.