Design of emergency logistics networks, taking efficiency, risk and robustness into consideration

This paper provides an integrated framework to design emergency logistics networks (ELNs) based upon efficiency, risk and robustness metrics. The mixed integer linear programming-based framework consists of strategic level design (SLD) and operational level plan (OLP) phases. The efficiency and risk are determined using transportation cost (TC) and relief item loss cost, respectively, in SLD phase while the robustness is analysed in terms of perturbed TC through diverse damage scenarios to major facilities in OLP phase. The applicability of the framework is demonstrated with two case studies using historical disaster records. The results show that this framework provides two options to decision-makers. One option is to design the optimal ELN based upon three integrated costs, while the other is to select ELNs based upon risk tolerance. We claim that the framework would provide significant insights to practitioners and researchers for design and implementation of ELN models.