Bi-objective robust optimisation approach for the management of reliable emergency logistics with uncertain disruptions during a rainstorm

Abstract

ABSTRACT A reliable emergency logistics system is crucial for the urban safety and public security during a rainstorm disaster. However, the impact of uncertain issues and the mitigation of psychological risks have not been well studied in the existing works. We develop a scenario-based robust optimisation approach for the emergency logistics management under uncertain disruptions. A bi-objective model, minimising total risk and cost, is formulated to decide facility locations and route plans for emergency rescue, transfer as well as materials’ transportation. The scenarios for random disruption with partial and full degrees in nodes and edges are addressed with probabilities. A psychological risk assessment model is developed to estimate the panic degree of trapped people as time varies. The complexity of the resulting mathematical model motivated the adaption and comparison of four multi-objective methods. A real-life problem in Jinzhong, China, and several tests are conducted to provide managerial insights.