Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Java Based Visualization And Animation For Teaching The Dijkstra Shortest Path Algorithm In Transportation Networks, Ivan Makohon, Duc T. Nguyen, Masha Sosonkina, Yuzhong Shen, Manwo Ng

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Shortest path (SP) algorithms, such as the popular Dijkstra algorithm has been considered as the "basic building blocks" for many advanced transportation network models. Dijkstra algorithm will find the shortest time (ST) and the corresponding SP to travel from a source node to a destination node. Applications of SP algorithms include real-time GPS and the Frank-Wolfe network equilibrium.

For transportation engineering students, the Dijkstra algorithm is not easily understood. This paper discusses the design and development of a software that will help the students to fully understand the key components involved in the Dijkstra SP algorithm. The software presents an …