Strong lower bounds for the prize collecting Steiner problem in graphs

Abstract

In this paper, we present an integer programming formulation of the prize collecting Steiner problem in graphs (PCSPG) and describe an algorithm to obtain lower bounds for the problem. The algorithm is based on polyhedral cutting planes and is initiated with tests that attempt to reduce the size of the input graph. Computational experiments were carried out to evaluate the strength of the formulation through its linear programming relaxation. On 96 out of the 114 instances tested, integer solutions were found (thus generating optimal PCSPG solutions).