4 Presentations

• 
  10:30 AM - 10:55 AM

  Enhancing Wildfire Evacuation Preparedness: Insights into Evacuee Behavior to Develop Simulation Models

  • Joëlle Cormier, presenter, HEC Montréal
  • Valérie Bélanger, CIRRELT, HEC Montréal
  • Julie Paquette, HEC Montréal
  • Marie-Ève Rancourt, Université du Québec à Montréal

  A 2024 survey explores the evacuation process and the role of evacuee behavior in enhancing wildfire preparedness. Findings will allow the development of simulation models to estimate evacuation durations and minimize risks to populations. This research bridges behavioral insights and practical tools, offering tailored safety recommendations to wildfire-affected communities.

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  10:55 AM - 11:20 AM

  Strategic positioning of mass transportation vehicles

  • Florentina Hager, presenter, University of Twente
  • Melanie Reuter-Oppermann, Department of Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University

  Providing efficient medical care during mass-casualty incidents, which are marked by a sudden surge in demand, presents a significant logistical challenge where time is critical to survival. Rapid transport of casualties to medical centers is essential, but local healthcare facilities in disaster-stricken areas often become overwhelmed.
  One potential solution is the use of mass transportation vehicles, such as relief trains, which are specially adapted for transporting wounded individuals, similar to ambulances. However, these vehicles are expensive, have limited applications, and are available in small numbers. To maximize their effectiveness, they must be strategically positioned to ensure optimal coverage and response.
  In addition to strategic placement, it is crucial to consider the reliance of these vehicles on transportation networks, which can be vulnerable to interruptions or damage during disasters. Incorporating these potential disruptions into the planning process is essential to ensure the vehicles remain operational and effective when needed most.
  Our research therefore focuses on two key aspects: (1) the strategic positioning of mass transportation vehicles for post-disaster casualty transport and (2) the identification of vulnerable arcs for protective measures.

• 
  11:20 AM - 11:45 AM

  An optimization-based anticipatory action framework for stock relocation: The case of Madagascar

  • Birce Adsanver, presenter, HEC Montréal
  • Burcu Balcik, Ozyegin University
  • Valérie Bélanger, CIRRELT, HEC Montréal
  • Marie-Eve Rancourt, HEC Montréal

  Anticipatory actions are critical in mitigating the impact of disasters. This study addresses the problem of supply repositioning in anticipation of storms within a national network. The network comprises multiple humanitarian organizations that strategically preposition relief supplies across various regions. As a storm is anticipated to impact the country, these organizations receive periodic updates with forecasts regarding the storm's intensity and trajectory. Using the forecasts, the organizations estimate the potential disaster impacts and relocate supplies to regions likely to be affected, ensuring a more efficient and timely response. To solve this problem, we analytically estimate the population in need of relief items based on forecasted storm conditions. We propose an optimization model that incorporates these need estimates and generates supply relocation recommendations to minimize response time. We demonstrate numerical analyses through a case study on Madagascar.

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  11:45 AM - 12:10 PM

  Distribution planning for school-based programs – The case of WFP in Venezuela

  • Julie Paquette, presenter, HEC Montréal
  • Daniel S. Barahona, World Food Program
  • Marie-Eve Rancourt, HEC Montréal
  • Jorge Mendoza, HEC Montréal
  • Anne-Maud Drugeon, World Food Program
  • Salvador Pena, World Food Program

  The World Food Programme (WFP) operates an extensive school meal program spanning 2,000 schools in Venezuela. WFP procures transportation services but manages route planning, resulting in a complex vehicle routing problem. This presentation details the specific problem, the efficient problem-solving methodology, and key factors that have contributed to successful implementation.