Optimal Deployment of Flood Emergency Response Materials under Stochastic Demands

Abstract

This study aims to develop a planning model for the deployment of flood emergency response materials under stochastic demands. For ease of modeling, a deterministic demand model is first proposed, from which the stochastic model is further extended. These models are used to determine the allocation of materials the transport truck routes and distribution of the stockpiled materials to emergency sites. The models are formulated as multiple integer network flow problems with special side constraints which are characterized as NP-hard in terms of optimization. To solve the complicated stochastic model efficiently, we also develop a solution algorithm based on a problem decomposition technique coupled with a variable fixing technique. Finally, to preliminarily evaluate the proposed models and solution algorithm, we perform numerical tests using data related to a Taiwan flood emergency response system. The test results are good, indicating the potential usefulness of the models and solution algorithm in practice.