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arXiv · 2405.15314

Output-Constrained Decision Trees

Hüseyin Tunç·Doğanay Özese·Ş. İlker Birbil·Donato Maragno·Marco Caserta·Mustafa Baydoğan
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Abstract

Incorporating domain-specific constraints into machine learning models is essential for generating predictions that are both accurate and feasible in real-world applications. This paper introduces new methods for training Output-Constrained Regression Trees (OCRT), addressing the limitations of traditional decision trees in constrained multi-target regression tasks. We propose three approaches: M-OCRT, which uses split-based mixed integer programming to enforce constraints; E-OCRT, which employs an exhaustive search for optimal splits and solves constrained prediction problems at each decision node; and EP-OCRT, which applies post-hoc constrained optimization to tree predictions. To illustrate their potential uses in ensemble learning, we also introduce a random forest framework working under convex feasible sets. We validate the proposed methods through a computational study both on synthetic and industry-driven hierarchical time series datasets. Our results demonstrate that imposing constraints on decision tree training results in accurate and feasible predictions.

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Hüseyin Tunç, Doğanay Özese, Ş. İlker Birbil, Donato Maragno, Marco Caserta, Mustafa Baydoğan. 2024-05-24. Output-Constrained Decision Trees. https://arxiv.org/abs/2405.15314

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