Solving TSP using Genetic Algorithms-Case of Kosovo

In this paper we describe the use of a Genetic Algorithm to solve the TSP problem for Kosovo Cities/Municipalities, where one has to minimize the travelling distance between the cities (locations). Since the TSP problem is a NP problem, approaches such as dynamic programming, backtracking, branch and bound, etc. are not very useful for solving it. For problems traditionally thought of as computationally infeasible such as the TSP, Genetic Algorithms prove to be the best approach in obtaining solutions. John Holland's book “Adaptation in Natural and Artificial Systems” (1975, 1992) showed how the evolutionary process can be applied to solve a wide variety of problems using a highly parallel technique that is called the “Genetic Algorithm” (GA). The genetic algorithm transforms a population (set) of individual objects, each with an associated fitness value, into a new generation of the population using the Darwinian principle of reproduction and survival of the fittest and analogs of naturally occurring genetic operations such as crossover (sexual recombination) and mutation. Each individual in the population represents a possible solution to a given problem. The genetic algorithm attempts to find a very good (or best) solution to the problem by genetically breeding the population of individuals over a series of generations. Kosova is a relatively small country, in aspect of territory size, which is 10887 Km2. Besides capital Prishtina, there are six other bigger cities and about 23 smaller cities, while the rest of locations are villages. Basiclly, there are 30 municipalities, with 1467 localities, in total, with about two milion residents. Recently, seven localities are proposed to be recognised as municipalities and are in the process of transformation. For solving the problem, we designed an application in C#, which will use a genetic algorithm to find the best possible solution for TSP Kosova problem. The first part of this paper is a brief presentation Kosovo and Kosova municipalities. Key-Words: Genetic Agorithms, TSP, C#, Kosovo.