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Abstract for presentation (Poster or Podium) with a Paper in the Conference Proceedings

Social Equity, Justice, and Welfare

Fairness-Driven Multi-Objective Optimization for Evacuation Planning in Natural Disasters

Sunday, June 16, 2024
3:00 PM - 4:15 PM ET
Room: Galleria
Abstract: In the context of natural disasters such as floods and tsunamis, efficient and equitable evacuation strategies are critical for safeguarding human lives. This paper introduces a multi-objective optimization model that seeks to minimize both the overall transportation distance for affected individuals and the average unutilized space in designated evacuation centers. The model explicitly incorporates fairness, ensuring that all residents are equally prioritized during the evacuation process. We test the model's applicability using a real-world scenario in Seaside, an Oregon town vulnerable to frequent natural calamities. The case study aims to address the specific logistical challenges associated with evacuating a population of approximately six thousand residents under severe time constraints. Our analysis indicates that the transportation mode and capacity are pivotal variables for achieving an effective and equitable evacuation procedure. This research extends the existing literature on disaster preparedness by emphasizing the crucial role of transportation logistics in ensuring successful and fair evacuations.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees can expect to learn the following from this session:
  • Upon completion, participants will be able to explain how a multi-objective optimization model can address both efficiency and fairness in evacuation procedures, based on the presented case study.
  • Upon completion, participants will be able to evaluate the impact of transportation modes and capacities on the effectiveness and fairness of evacuation procedures.
  • Upon completion, participants will be able to identify the critical factors contributing to the concept of fairness in disaster evacuation planning based on the Seaside, Oregon case study.