Evacuation route planning in disaster situations

Abstract

Disasters generate a large amount of material and human damage. Evacuation planning plays a crucial role in disaster management by minimizing the adverse effects of disasters on communities. It is acknowledged as a challenge of muti-objective optimization, encompassing conflicting spatial objectives and constraints within a decision-making context. Addressing such problems through traditional means is arduous. Yet, metaheuristic methods have shown to provide effective solutions. This paper delves into the examination of designing and analyzing evacuation routes within transportation networks during disaster situations. Furthermore, the paper introduces an optimized method for planning evacuation routes in context of disasters. The technique utilizes an iterative bio-inspired heuristic algorithm, which outlines paths from disaster areas to each shelter site. This aids in allocating vehicle flow for efficient evacuation planning, all while considering travel time as a key parameter.