A Multiobjective Approach to Locate Emergency Shelters and Identify Evacuation Routes in Urban Areas

TLDR

Evacuation planning is a critical element of urban emergency preparedness, requiring careful consideration of the number and placement of rescue facilities and the designation of primary and secondary evacuation routes. This article proposes a multiobjective approach to simultaneously determine optimal shelter locations and evacuation routes. The method embeds a multiobjective optimization model within a GIS‑based decision support system that planners can access online, and it is illustrated through a case study of fire evacuation in Coimbra, Portugal. Although demonstrated for fires, the approach is generalizable to other hazards such as earthquakes, floods, and terrorist attacks.

Abstract

Evacuation planning is an important component of emergency preparedness in urban areas. The number and location of rescue facilities is an important aspect of this planning, as is the identification of primary and secondary evacuation routes for residents to take. This article introduces a multiobjective approach to identify these aspects of evacuation planning. The approach incorporates a multiobjective model into a geographical information systems–based decision support system that planners can access via the Internet. The proposed approach is demonstrated with a case study for the City of Coimbra, Portugal, for evacuation during major fires. Although presented in this context, this approach is applicable to other emergency situations such as earthquakes, floods, and acts of terrorism.