Clustering Algorithm for Paper Boys

Question

I need help selecting or creating a clustering algorithm according to certain criteria.

Imagine you are managing newspaper delivery persons.

• You have a set

Answer 1

This is not directly related to the problem, but something I've heard and which should be considered if this is truly a route-planning problem you have. This would affect the ordering of the addresses within the set assigned to each driver.

UPS has software which generates optimum routes for their delivery people to follow. The software tries to maximize the number of right turns that are taken during the route. This saves them a lot of time on deliveries.

For people that don't live in the USA the reason for doing this may not be immediately obvious. In the US people drive on the right side of the road, so when making a right turn you don't have to wait for oncoming traffic if the light is green. Also, in the US, when turning right at a red light you (usually) don't have to wait for green before you can go. If you're always turning right then you never have to wait for lights.

There's an article about it here: http://abcnews.go.com/wnt/story?id=3005890