Solving Dynamic Emergency Distribution Scheduling Problems in Practice

In this paper we investigate a dynamic emergency distribution scheduling problem in the aftermath of a large scale disaster. We firstly state the difference between regular distribution and emergency distribution, and emphasis on the dynamic nature of emergency distribution and the need of real-time information updating in developing emergency distribution schedules. Next, we use dynamic network flow modeling techniques together with a rolling horizon approach to capture these features, and then propose a connection-based and a time space network based network flow model respectively. Finally, we report an illustrative example to demonstrate how the developed dynamic models with application in emergency distribution scheduling.