Scenario-based location of ambulances for spatiotemporal clusters of events and stochastic vehicle availability. A decision support systems approach

Abstract

Facility location through the utilization of location-allocation models is a scientific field that has been rapidly growing over the last 60 years. Especially in countries where there is an increased need for new infrastructure and services while resources and funding availability is limited, their application in solving respective problems can be effective both in catalyzing needs as well as minimizing required budget and costs. In this context, new models, improved algorithms and alternative methodological approaches have been constantly arising. In Greece, unfortunately, the use of these models is not a common practice in locational projects and studies resulting in relatively limited corresponding experience and research. In this paper we present S-Distance, a stand alone locational analysis and planning support system, initially designed at the Laboratory for Spatial Analysis, GIS and Thematic Cartography in the University of Thessaly, Greece and currently under further development by the GeoCHOROS Geospatial Analysis and GIS Research Group at the National Technical University of Athens, Greece. The operational validity of the proposed system was verified for the location of ambulances in the metropolitan area of Volos and Nea Ionia in Greece. © Association of European Geographers.