Bi-objective multi-resource scheduling problem for emergency relief operations

Abstract

Resource scheduling for emergency relief operations is complex as it has many constraints. However, an effective allocation and sequencing of resources are crucial for the minimization of the completion times in emergency relief operations. Despite the importance of such decisions, only a few mathematical models of emergency relief operations have been studied. This article presents a bi-objective mixed integer programming (MIP) that helps to minimize both the total weighted time of completion of the demand points and the makespan of the total emergency relief operation. A two-phase method is developed to solve the bi-objective MIP problem. Additionally, a case study of hospital network in the Melbourne metropolitan area is used to evaluate the model. The results indicate that the model can successfully support the decisions required in the optimal resource scheduling of emergency relief operations.

Keywords:

• Emergency relief operation
• resource scheduling
• mathematical programming
• bi-objective optimization
• disaster management

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 https://www.healthcollect.vic.gov.au/HospitalLists/MetroHospitalList.aspx

2 https://www.myhospitals.gov.au/

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Behrooz Bodaghi

Behrooz Bodaghi received his PhD from Swinburne University of Technology, Australia. He earned his B.S. (Industrial Engineering) Iran and his M.Eng. (Industrial Engineering) from Malaysia. His research interests include optimization, data analytics, resource scheduling, disaster management, supply chain management, decision support system and mathematical modelling. He is a member of Australian Society for Operations Research and Supply Chain & Logistics Association of Australia.

Ekambaram Palaneeswaran

Ekambaram Palaneeswaran is an Associate Professor, Postgraduate Program Coordinator and Director of Construction and Infrastructure Management courses in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology at Swinburne University of Technology, Australia. He completed BE and ME (Honours) degrees from India and received his PhD from the University of Hong Kong. Prior to joining in Swinburne, he served as an academic staff at the University of Hong Kong and City University of Hong Kong. He has published 125+ scholarly research papers and recipient of several prestigious awards/grants including competitive grants from Australian Research Council and Hong Kong Research Grants Council. He is affiliated with professional institutions such as ASCE, IEEE, ISTE and PMI.

Babak Abbasi

Babak Abbasi is an Associate Professor of Business Analytics and Operations Research at the RMIT University. He received his PhD from Sharif University of Technology. His research focuses on industry-motivated quantitative modelling and decision making under uncertainty applied to healthcare delivery improvement, supply chain coordination, disaster management, resources allocation, service operations management and manufacturing. He was the recipient of RMIT Research Impact Award (Enterprise) in 2016. He is a member of the Australian Society for Operations Research.