Definition
The Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) is an optimization problem in which the goal is to find the most efficient route that passes through a set of predetermined locations. The goal is to minimise the total distance traveled between each location by the salesman.The use cases for the TSP range from optimizing a delivery route for a fleet of trucks to mapping out the most efficient strategy for delivering mail or parcels. It can also be used to plan the most efficient route for a group of salespersons. For example, if a corporation sends out a team of sales representatives to different cities, the TSP could be used to find the fastest route between the locations.
TSP can also be applied to scheduling problems, such as finding the best route for a sales representative to visit a variety of clients. This is an important problem for companies that are short on time and need to squeeze the most efficient route out of their sales representatives. By applying TSP to this problem, the shortcuts made by a sales representative can be optimized so they can cover more locations in less time.
Another use case for the TSP is mapping out the best route for a tourist. By using TSP, a tourist can plan the best route for a sightseeing trip to multiple locations. This is especially useful for those who are visiting a new city and want to figure out what locations to visit without having to spend too much time or money.
Finally, the TSP can also be used to solve problems related to vehicle routing, such as optimizing the route that a truck will take to deliver goods to multiple destinations. By calculating the shortest distance for each leg of the route, the total time needed can be minimized. This is beneficial for companies that need to make sure their products get to their customers in the fastest way possible.
