Logistics decisions following urban disasters

This work describes the development and functions of an IBM-compatible real-time microcomputer software to be used as a decision tool in coordinating and carrying out transportation-related activities in the aftermath of urban disasters such as earthquakes. The package incorporates the needs and experiences of response organizations involved in the postearthquake transportation-related operations in Mexico City. A number of transportation needs recognized as vital in operations related to emergency preparedness, response, and return to normalcy have been addressed. The software is named the “Transportation Emergency Decision Support System” (TEDSS) and includes the following features: 1) A graphical network-editing capability to modify the street network in terms of geometric and operational changes which could take place, including closed street links, changes in number of lanes, changes in travel direction of streets, cordoned off areas, parking-regulation changes, changes in transit routes, etc. 2) An emergency vehicle-dispatch algorithm to determine the best route to be taken from an origin to an incident point, considering all the changes which have taken place in the street system geometry and operational conditions. 3) A street clean-up prioritization scheme to assign priorities for the clean up of closed street links in terms of the amount of resources needed for the cleanup of a closed link as well as the degree of importance of each closed link in search and rescue operations and return to normalcy.