A Stochastic Optimization Model for Designing Last Mile Relief Networks

In this study, the authors introduce a distribution network design problem that determines the locations and capacities of the relief distribution points in the last mile network, while considering demand- and network-related uncertainties in the post-disaster environment. The problem addresses the critical concerns of relief organizations in designing last mile networks, which are providing accessible and equitable service to beneficiaries. The authors focus on two types of supply allocation policies and propose a hybrid version considering their different implications on equity and accessibility. Then, the authors develop a two-stage stochastic programming model that incorporates the hybrid allocation policy and achieves high levels of accessibility and equity simultaneously. The authors devise a branch-and-cut algorithm based on Benders decomposition to solve large problem instances in reasonable times and conduct a numerical study to demonstrate the computational effectiveness of the solution method. The authors also illustrate the application of the model on a case study based on real-world data from the 2011 Van earthquake in Turkey.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2015.0621
• Record URL:
  http://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/abs/10.1287/trsc.2015.0621
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1767714
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstracts reprinted with permission of INFORMS (Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences, http://www.informs.org).
• Authors:
  • Noyan, Nilay
  • Balcik, Burcu
  • Atakan, Semih
• Publication Date: 2016-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 1092-1113
• Serial:
  • Transportation Science
  • Volume: 50
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)
  • ISSN: 0041-1655
  • Serial URL: http://transci.journal.informs.org/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accessibility; Branch and bound algorithms; Disaster relief; Earthquakes; Equity (Finance); Optimization; Stochastic programming
• Uncontrolled Terms: Last mile; Network design problem
• Geographic Terms: Turkey
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01630979
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 7 2017 4:09PM