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International Conference on Emerging Smart Computing and Informatics (ESCI)

Using Quantum Annealing to Solve Large-Scale Optimization Problems in Logistics and Scheduling

Sandeep Kumar

Published Mar 5, 2025• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In planning and scheduling, large-scale optimization problems often have complex limits and a lot of factors, which makes them hard to answer with standard methods. Quantum annealing has become a hopeful way to deal with these problems because it can quickly look into a lot of possible solutions. This essay looks into how quantum annealing might be used to solve optimization problems in transportation and scheduling, with a focus on how it could be used for route planning, inventory management, and arranging workers. To do these optimization jobs, quantum annealing is used. This is a quantum computing method that gets the global minimum of a cost function. We use the D-Wave quantum annealer in this method. It turns the problem's limits and objective function into a quadratic unconstrained binary optimization (QUBO) model. The quantum annealer then works on this model to find the best answers. The suggested method combines traditional preparation methods with quantum annealing to get the best results for big schedule and transportation issues. We use quantum annealing to solve difficult multi-objective optimization problems, like reducing shipping time, cost, and resource use all at the same time. Preliminary results show that quantum annealing can make solutions much better and use computers much more efficiently than traditional methods for optimizing supplies and schedules. Quantum annealing works especially well with problems that have a lot of dimensions. It can provide scalable answers that sometimes work better than standard methods.

DOI
10.1109/esci63694.2025.10988208

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This investigates Quantum Annealing as a game-changing strategy for dealing with complicated combinatorial optimization issues, with the goal of achieving sustainable supply chains and decreased carbon footprints. The purpose of the research is to harness the potential of Quantum Computing, notably focused on Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization formulations, Ising Model, Maximum Cut Problem, and the Traveling Salesman Problem. The goal of this is to expand the use of Quantum Annealing methods in the logistics, supply chain, and environmental fields. The goal of this study is to use Quantum Annealing's powerful capability to effectively explore large solution spaces as a springboard for developing novel approaches. A quantum-powered paradigm change in supply chain optimization is made possible by the new application of Quantum Annealing to real-world sustainability concerns. This is groundbreaking since it is the first to include quantum algorithms into eco-friendly supply chain planning by going into the details of QUBO, the Ising Model, MAX-CUT, and TSP. It offers a fresh viewpoint on reducing the carbon footprint of supply chains, which in turn encourages more environmentally friendly corporate procedures. It lays the groundwork for future developments in quantum-enabled sustainability and highlights the critical role that cutting-edge technologies play in driving global supply chain environmental conservation initiatives.
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