Optimal Solution Design for Initial Post-earthquake Casualty Dispatch Considering Road Disruption Scenarios: Based on Network Optimization Model

Abstract

The optimization of casualty dispatch is a key problem faced in the initial post-earthquake relief process. In view of the urgency and uncertainty of casualty rescue in the early post-earthquake period, this paper investigates the decision optimization problem of casualty dispatching in the early post-earthquake period. Based on the fact that current research on emergency disaster relief in the early post-earthquake period rarely considers the bi-objective optimization problem of transport time and system cost, this paper quantifies the risk of road disruption based on the earthquake risk level and designs a location-routing optimization model with the goal of minimizing the cost of the casualty dispatch system and minimizing the casualty transport time, which provides a solution for casualty dispatch in the initial post-earthquake period. Finally, the example of Sichuan Ya’an Lushan earthquake is used to search for the least costly and most efficient emergency rescue solution. Under this solution, even if the road network in some of the affected sites is severely damaged, timely treatment of casualties and optimal transportation system cost can still be ensured. Moreover, it can adjust measures to local conditions, and decision-makers can make a trend between shortening casualty dispatching time and reducing total system cost based on casualty injuries and road network conditions in the affected sites. Based on the casualty situation and the road network condition in the affected area, we make a trade-off between shortening the casualty dispatch time and reducing the total cost of the system to achieve the optimal casualty dispatch benefit.