New ‘Absurdly Fast’ Algorithm Revolutionizes Network Traffic Flow

Researchers have developed an “absurdly fast” algorithm to tackle the 70-year-old problem of finding the fastest flow through a network, potentially eliminating network slowdowns. This new algorithm offers a dramatically quicker solution to the maximum flow problem, a cornerstone of algorithmic science, which has challenged computer scientists since the 1950s.
Unlike previous algorithms that made slow, incremental advances, this breakthrough can solve the problem nearly as quickly as it takes to write down the network details. Presented on June 11 at the 56th Annual ACM Symposium on Theory of Computing, the algorithm marks a significant leap from past solutions.
The maximum flow problem, first attempted by Delbert Fulkerson and Lester Ford in 1956, involves optimizing traffic flow through a system with limited capacity. While their “greedy solution” was effective, it often led to suboptimal jams. Over the years, refinements have improved the algorithm’s efficiency, but progress stalled in 2004.
The new algorithm combines two previous approaches: treating networks as traffic and as an electrical grid, allowing for a more efficient mapping of the best flow. Daniel A. Spielman, a Yale University professor, likened the new solution to “a Porsche overtaking horse-drawn carriages.” Potential applications include internet data, airline scheduling, and market efficiencies.

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