Multilane traffic organization and path optimization in ants

Abstract

This paper presents a simple model on the trail formation of ants, as a consequence of the pheromone phenomenon; as well as the ability of the system to discern the optimal path in the foraging process. Aside from these two attributes, multilane traffic organization was also studied using an ant track with five lanes. It was found that the lanes served as equally probable paths and that the ants preferred the lane traversed by the first scout ants. Possible lane switching had also arisen in cases of blocked paths. An ant maze also supported the conclusion that the system of study is an optimal self-organized system since the colony has found and preferred the shortest path in the maze leading to the species' goal – food.