Work

When does FTP become FPT?

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: In the problem Fault-Tolerant Path ( FTP ), we are given an edge-weighted directed graph G = ( V , E ) , a subset U ⊆ E of vulnerable edges, two vertices s, t ∈ V , and integers k and ℓ. The task is to decide whether there exists a subgraph H of G with total cost at most ℓ such that, after the removal of any k vulnerable edges, H still contains an s − t -path. We study whether Fault-Tolerant Path is fixed-parameter tractable (FPT) and whether it admits a polynomial kernel under various parameterizations. Our choices of parameters include: the number of vulnerable edges in the input graph, the number of safe (i.e, invulnerable) edges in the input graph, the budget ℓ, the minimum number of safe edges in any optimal solution, the minimum number of vulnerable edges in any optimal solution, the required redundancy k , and natural above- and below-guarantee parameterizations. We provide an almost complete description of the complexity landscape of FTP for these parameters.

Source: Theoretical Computer Science

DOI: 10.1016/j.tcs.2026.115970

Authors: Matthias Bentert, Fedor V. Fomin, Petr A. Golovach, Laure Morelle

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Graph Theory Research

Subfield: Computational Theory and Mathematics

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,880

Funders: Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Norges Forskningsråd, Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, European Research Council

Awards: Exploring the Limits of Tractability, G5355697469, G5399623649, G8503025348