Diversification-based learning simulated annealing algorithm for hub location problems

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the efficacy of diversification-based learning (DBL) in expediting the performance of simulated annealing (SA) in hub location problems. Design/methodology/approach: This study proposes a novel diversification-based learning simulated annealing (DBLSA) algorithm for solving p-hub median problems. It is executed on MATLAB 11.0. Experiments are conducted on CAB and AP data sets. Findings: This study finds that in hub location models, DBLSA algorithm equipped with social learning operator outperforms the vanilla version of SA algorithm in terms of accuracy and convergence rates. Practical implications: Hub location problems are relevant in aviation and telecommunication industry. This study proposes a novel application of a DBLSA algorithm to solve larger instances of hub location problems effectively in reasonable computational time. Originality/value: To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first application of DBL in optimisation. By demonstrating its efficacy, this study steers research in the direction of learning mechanisms-based metaheuristic applications.