Abstract

This paper presents a meta-heuristics algorithm of particle swarm optimization for solving the emergency resources distribution in disaster relief operations. An optimization mathematical model is established to achieve the objectives of the earliest emergency response time, and the lowest dispatch costs, considering the actual application environment in which the relief resources are consumed by the affected areas continuously and all available selected depots are called upon to transport commodities to the demand point at almost the same time. Furthermore, this proposed model highlights the real meaning of continuous consumption by adding the assumption that subsequent supplement is not allowed. The results of a numerical example indicate that the improved solution based on PSO algorithm is reasonable and feasible. The purpose of this study is to provide an effective approach by addressing recent patents and scholarly articles on the subject of engineering design and modeling.

Keywords: Continuous consumption, demand point, dispatch scheduling, emergency logistics, particle swarm optimization, subsequent supplement.