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An improved algorithm for solving the Weber location problem

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  • Zvi Drezner

    (California State University-Fullerton)

Abstract

In this note we propose an improved algorithm for the solution of the Weber problem which is the most fundamental problem in location analysis. It is used as a building block in many algorithms for solving more complicated location problems. The algorithm is very simple to implement and the idea behind it can inspire solution approaches to other optimization problems as well. Computational experiments demonstrated the superior performance of the proposed algorithm. Such an improvement will assist in the solution of more complicated models that apply the solution to Weber problem repeatedly many times as part of their solution algorithms.

Suggested Citation

  • Zvi Drezner, 2025. "An improved algorithm for solving the Weber location problem," 4OR, Springer, vol. 23(1), pages 53-63, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:aqjoor:v:23:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10288-024-00565-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10288-024-00565-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. E. Weiszfeld & Frank Plastria, 2009. "On the point for which the sum of the distances to n given points is minimum," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 167(1), pages 7-41, March.
    2. Jack Brimberg & Robert F. Love, 1993. "Global Convergence of a Generalized Iterative Procedure for the Minisum Location Problem with lp Distances," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 41(6), pages 1153-1163, December.
    3. Lawrence M. Ostresh, 1978. "On the Convergence of a Class of Iterative Methods for Solving the Weber Location Problem," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 26(4), pages 597-609, August.
    4. Jack Brimberg & Pierre Hansen & Nenad Mladenović & Eric D. Taillard, 2000. "Improvements and Comparison of Heuristics for Solving the Uncapacitated Multisource Weber Problem," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 48(3), pages 444-460, June.
    5. Leon Cooper, 1963. "Location-Allocation Problems," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 11(3), pages 331-343, June.
    6. Brimberg, Jack & Drezner, Zvi & Mladenović, Nenad & Salhi, Said, 2014. "A new local search for continuous location problems," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 232(2), pages 256-265.
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