Question: We define the Escape Problem as follows. We are given a directed graph G = (V, E) (picture a network of roads.) A certain

We define the Escape Problem as follows. We are given a directed graph G = (V, E) (picture a network of 

We define the Escape Problem as follows. We are given a directed graph G = (V, E) (picture a network of roads.) A certain collection of vertices X CV are designated as populated vertices, and a certain other collection SC V are designated as safe vertices. (Assume that X and S are disjoint.) In case of an emergency, we want evacuation routes from the populated vertices to the safe vertices. A set of evacuation routes is defined as a set of paths in G such that (i) each vertex in X is the tail of one path, (ii) the last vertex on each path lies in S, and (iii) the paths do not share any edges. Such a set of paths gives a way for the occupants of the populated vertices to "escape" to S without overly congesting any edge in G. (a) [20 points] Given G,X, and S, show how to decide in polynomial time whether a set of evacuation routes exists. Prove your solution and complexity. (b) [20 points] Suppose we have exactly the same problem as in (a), but we want to enforce an even stronger version of the "no congestion" condition (iii). Thus, we change (iii) to say, "the paths do not share any vertices. With this new condition, show how to decide in polynomial time whether such a set of evacuation routes exists. Prove your solution and complexity. Also provide an example with the same G, X, and S in which the answer is "yes" to the question in (a) but "no" to the question in (b).

Step by Step Solution

There are 3 Steps involved in it

1 Expert Approved Answer
Step: 1 Unlock

a Given G X and S to decide in polynomial time whether a set of evacuation routes exists you can con... View full answer

blur-text-image
Question Has Been Solved by an Expert!

Get step-by-step solutions from verified subject matter experts

Step: 2 Unlock
Step: 3 Unlock

Students Have Also Explored These Related Programming Questions!