Distribution Centre Location Selection for Disaster Logistics with Integrated Goal Programming-AHP based TOPSIS Method at the City Level

Abstract

The importance of disaster logistics and its share in the logistics sector are increasing significantly. Most disasters are difficult to predict; therefore, a set of measures seems to be necessary to reduce the risks. Thus, disaster logistics needs to be designed with the pre-disaster and post-disaster measures. These disasters are experienced intensely in Turkey and the importance of these measures becomes more evidential. Therefore, accurate models are required to develop an effective disaster preparedness system. One of the most important decisions to increase the preparedness is to locate the centres for handling material inventory. In this context, this paper analyses the response phase designing the disaster distribution centres in Turkey at the provincial level. AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) based TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method and goal programming model integration is used to decide alternative locations of distribution centres. TOPSIS method is employed for ranking the locations, which is based on hazard scores, total area, population, and distance to centre. Two conflicting objectives are first proposed in the goal programming formulation, in which maximization of the TOPSIS scores and minimization of the number of distribution centres covering all demands named set covering model are included. Although Gecimli has the highest priority with 0.8 p score in the TOPSIS ranking, Altincevre (0.77) and Buzlupınar (0.75) ensure both the TOPSIS score and coverage of the demand nodes. The results from this paper confirm that the computational results ensure disaster prevention insights especially in regions with limited data.