Ant Colony Optimization for Level of Service Improvements in Piping Networks

The paper presents a methodology for optimal flow routing in piping networks by imitating the natural selection processes utilized by real-life ants in search of the shortest path to a food source. Ant Colony Optimization is a population-based, artificial multi-agent, general-search technique for the solution of difficult combinatorial problems with its theoretical roots based on the behaviour of real-ant colonies. The fundamental mathematical background of the ACO method is outlined and a suggested possible implementation strategy is described for solving for shortest paths in water piping networks. The ACO methodology should be of interest to both researchers and practitioners since it provides an alternative method to routing optimizations, with a wide range of applications. The described ACO virtual multi-agent approach is supplemented by a sample case study as well as algorithms for the optimization of urban water distribution networks.