Models for Relief Routing: Equity, Efficiency and Efficacy

In humanitarian relief operations, vehicle routing and supply allocation decisions are critically important. Similar routing and allocation decisions are studied for commercial settings where efficiency, in terms of minimizing cost, is the primary objective. Humanitarian relief is complicated by the presence of multiple objectives beyond minimizing cost. Routing and allocation decisions should result in quick and sufficient distribution of relief supplies, with a focus on equitable service to all aid recipients. However, quantifying such goals can be challenging. In this paper, the authors define and formulate performance metrics in relief distribution. The authors focus on efficacy (i.e., the extent to which the goals of quick and sufficient distribution are met) and equity (i.e., the extent to which all recipients receive comparable service). The authors explore how efficiency, efficacy, and equity influence the structure of vehicle routes and the distribution of resources. The authors identify trends and routing principles for humanitarian relief based on the analytical properties of the resulting problems and a series of computational tests.

• Record URL:
  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=MImg&_imagekey=B9853-52X1TRD-5-1&_cdi=59087&_user=10&_pii=S1877042811010846&_origin=browse&_zone=rslt_list_item&_coverDate=12%2F31%2F2011&_sk=999829999&wchp=dGLzVlb-zSkWW&md5=58438723ca90ca6caab3c6f06151e93b&ie=/sdarticle.pdf
• 
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/18770428
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Huang, Michael
  • Smilowitz, Karen
  • Balcik, Burcu
• Conference:
  • 19th International Symposium on Transportation and Traffic Theory
  • Location: Berkeley CA, United States
  • Date: 2011-7-18 to 2011-7-20
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 416-437
• Monograph Title: International Symposium on Transportation and Traffic Theory, 19th
• Serial:
  • Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Volume: 17
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 1877-0428
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/18770428/53
• Publication flags:

  Open Access (libre)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Decision making; Disaster preparedness; Disaster relief; Hazards and emergency operations; Highway operations; Performance measurement; Safety and security; Supply; Supply chain management
• Uncontrolled Terms: Efficiency; Humanitarian assistance; Vehicle routing zones
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Security and Emergencies; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01345381
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 21 2011 10:08AM