A multi-objective combinatorial model of casualty processing in major incident response

Duncan Wilson, Glenn Hawe, Graham Coates, Roger Crouch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

65 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

During the emergency response to mass casualty incidents decisions relating to the extrication, treatment and transporting of casualties are made in a real-time, sequential manner. In this paper we describe a novel combinatorial optimization model of this problem which acknowledges its temporal nature by employing a scheduling approach. The model is of a multi-objective nature, utilizing a lexicographic view to combine objectives in a manner which capitalizes on their natural ordering of priority. The model includes pertinent details regarding the stochastic nature of casualty health, the spatial nature of multi-site emergencies and the dynamic capacity of hospitals. A Variable Neighborhood Descent metaheuristic is employed in order to solve the model. The model is evaluated over a range of potential problems, with results confirming its effective and robust nature.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)643-655
JournalEuropean Journal of Operational Research
Volume230
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 1 Nov 2013

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