Approximation Algorithms for Anchored Multiwatchman Routes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.57717/cgt.v4i1.71Abstract
We study some variants of the k-Watchman Routes problem, the cooperative version of the classic Watchman Route problem in a simple polygon. The k watchmen may be required to see the whole polygon, or some pre-determined quota of area within the polygon, and we want to minimize the maximum length traveled by any watchman. While the single-watchman (k = 1$ version of the problem has received considerable attention and is relatively well understood, much less is known about the multiple watchmen (k >1) variant(s).
We provide the first tight approximability results for the anchored k-Watchman Routes problem in a simple polygon, assuming k is fixed, by a fully-polynomial time approximation scheme. The basis for the FPTAS is provided by an exact dynamic programming algorithm. If k varies (i.e., it is part of the input), we give constant-factor approximations.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Joseph S.B. Mitchell, Linh Nguyen

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).