Adaptive Configuration and Coordination in a Network of Relief Centers

摘要

Establishing an efficient network of relief centers immediately after a disaster is critical to satisfy the needs of affected victims. We consider a network of relief centers that distribute multiple items to victims with varying needs. Relief agencies need to determine the number of relief centers that need to be setup, their size and capacity, and the allocation of items to each relief center. We use queuing models to evaluate the impact of these decisions on network performance and victim experience. We also study how these decisions need to evolve over time in order to respond to the dynamic needs of the victims.