Multi-criteria optimization for last mile distribution of disaster relief aid: Test cases and applications

Abstract

Humanitarian organizations transport large quantities of aid for distribution in the aftermath of disasters. Transportation for last mile distribution includes multiple, and often conflicting, performance criteria that include time (deprivation), cost, coverage, equity and security. We build a compromise programming model for multi-criteria optimization in humanitarian last mile distribution. Regarding security, ours is the first multi-criteria model able to produce an actual vehicle schedule while forcing vehicles to form convoys in humanitarian operations research. We illustrate the multi-criteria optimization using a realistic test case based on the Pakistan floods, 2010. We standardize and share this case as well as cases based on the Niger famine, 2005 and the Haiti earthquake, 2010. By sharing test cases, we encourage basic scientific tasks such as replicability and model comparison within the humanitarian operations research community.