Instance Configuration for Sustainable Job Shop Scheduling

TL;DR

This paper introduces an innovative instance configurator for the Job Shop Scheduling Problem, enabling the generation of diverse, realistic instances to improve benchmarking and development of energy-efficient scheduling algorithms.

Contribution

The study presents a novel instance configurator with adjustable parameters, generating a comprehensive set of 500 test instances for benchmarking energy-aware job shop scheduling algorithms.

Findings

Generated 500 diverse, realistic scheduling instances.

Enhanced benchmarking capabilities for energy-efficient algorithms.

Facilitated research collaboration through publicly available datasets.

Abstract

The Job Shop Scheduling Problem (JSP) is a pivotal challenge in operations research and is essential for evaluating the effectiveness and performance of scheduling algorithms. Scheduling problems are a crucial domain in combinatorial optimization, where resources (machines) are allocated to job tasks to minimize the completion time (makespan) alongside other objectives like energy consumption. This research delves into the intricacies of JSP, focusing on optimizing performance metrics and minimizing energy consumption while considering various constraints such as deadlines and release dates. Recognizing the multi-dimensional nature of benchmarking in JSP, this study underscores the significance of reference libraries and datasets like JSPLIB in enriching algorithm evaluation. The research highlights the importance of problem instance characteristics, including job and machine numbers, processing times, and machine availability, emphasizing the complexities introduced by energy consumption considerations. An innovative instance configurator is proposed, equipped with parameters such as the number of jobs, machines, tasks, and speeds, alongside distributions for processing times and energy consumption. The generated instances encompass various configurations, reflecting real-world scenarios and operational constraints. These instances facilitate comprehensive benchmarking and evaluation of scheduling algorithms, particularly in contexts of energy efficiency. A comprehensive set of 500 test instances has been generated and made publicly available, promoting further research and benchmarking in JSP. These instances enable robust analyses and foster collaboration in developing advanced, energy-efficient scheduling solutions by providing diverse scenarios.