Abstract
This study extends the capability and increases the performance of a traditional Branch and Bound (BB) algorithm to solve Facility Location-Transportation problems for Disaster Response (FLTDR) using parallel computing. A Two-Stage Branch and Bound (TBB) algorithm was developed to support two parallel computing approaches. This algorithm divides problems into two small sub-problems, which are a facility location sub-problem and a transportation sub-problem. All possible numbers of distribution centers are determined. All possible locations relating to any number of distribution centers are explicitly explored. The transportation sub-problem corresponding to any selected location is then solved. Two parallel approaches for the TBB algorithm (PTBB) differ in partitioning the list of sub-problems. The first approach (PTBB1) solves both sub-problems in parallel. The other (PTBB2) explores the locations in sequence and solves only the transportation sub-problems in parallel. The numerical experiments were conducted on various sizes of generated problems. The quality of the solution and the computing time of both approaches were compared with a BB algorithm with premature termination by time. The experimental experiences showed that both PTBB1 and PTBB2 are more efficient and effective than a BB algorithm. However, the PTBB1 should be suggested for the FLTDR because of the least computational time usage.
Highlights
The number of natural disasters has increased and the severity has grown over recent years
We study the applications of parallel computing with our proposed algorithm for FLTDR using an available function called “parfor” in MATLAB
The FLTDR in this study focuses on calculating the number of distribution centers to be constructed; determining the locations of distribution centers; identifying the quantity of relief items to be stored and determining the assignment of vehicles to supply the humanitarian aid items so as to maximize the relief item coverage under the following assumptions
Summary
The number of natural disasters has increased and the severity has grown over recent years. Efficient and effective disaster operation management has become a vital research topic. Most research topics have emphasized designing a disaster management framework, such as the study appearing in Aslanzadeh et al (2009). Few research papers have focused on constructing a disaster response operation framework and application. The research in the latter area aims to determine a solution by using a mathematical method. The first three subsystems have been intensively studied under the following topics: facility location problems, inventory problems, transportation/ routing problems and scheduling problems. Both individual analyses and the integration of these four problems have been researched.
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