We consider makespan minimization for vehicle scheduling problems on trees with release and handling times. 2-approximation
algorithms were known for several variants of the single vehicle problem on a path [16]. A 3/2-approximation algorithm was known for the single vehicle problem on a path where there is a fixed starting point
and the vehicle must return to the starting point upon completion [13]. Karuno, Nagamochi and Ibaraki give a 2-approximation algorithm for the single vehicle problem on trees. We develop a linear
time PTAS for the single vehicle scheduling problem on trees which have a constant number of leaves. This PTAS can be easily
adapted to accommodate various starting/ending constraints. We then extended this to a PTAS for the multiple vehicle problem
where vehicles operate in disjoint subtrees. For this problem, the only previous result is a 2-approximation algorithm for
paths [10]. Finally, we present competitive online algorithms for some single vehicle scheduling problems.
This research was partially supported by the Research Competitiveness Subprogram of the Louisiana Board of Regents.