Title: Optimisation of evacuation and emergency materials distribution under natural disaster

Authors: Yuxin Huang; Yanwei Chen; Chuan Pang; Huajun Tang

Addresses: School of Business, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, Macau, China ' Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, City University of Macau, Avenida Padre Tomás Pereira Taipa, Macau, China ' School of Business, Macau University of Science and Technology, A411, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, Macau, China ' School of Business, Macau University of Science and Technology, O917, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, Macau, China

Abstract: In recent years, frequent outbreaks of natural disasters cause large losses to the development of society and economics and threaten the safety of people's lives and property. When the emergencies occur in a region with a high population density, people in the affected areas need both evacuation and a large amount of emergency materials. In this case, it is extremely necessary to respond quickly and arrange rescue work. This study constructed nonlinear integer programming models for personnel evacuation and materials distribution under natural disasters, aiming to determine the optimal solutions of evacuation and delivery. Finally, it tests the feasibility of the model and investigates the sensitivity of the optimal objectives on rescue conditions based on a case study. This research will provide some support for decision makers to design reasonable and effective rescue plans about personnel refuge arrangement and emergent materials distribution.

Keywords: emergency rescue; evacuation; emergency materials distribution; disaster; nonlinear integer programming; delivery time.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2024.137892

International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2024 Vol.18 No.2, pp.138 - 164

Received: 08 May 2022
Accepted: 30 Aug 2022
Published online: 08 Apr 2024 *

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