Analysis of MCLP, Q-MALP, and MQ-MALP with Travel Time Uncertainty Using Monte Carlo Simulation

• Main Authors: Abdul Ghani, Noraida, Ahmad, Norazura
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2017
• Subjects: LC5800-5808 Distance education.
• Online Access: http://eprints.usm.my/36793/1/%28Analysis_of_MCLP%2C_Q-MALP%29_2364254.pdf; http://eprints.usm.my/36793/; https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/2364254
• Institution: Universiti Sains Malaysia

This paper compares the application of theMonte Carlo simulation in incorporating travel time uncertainties in ambulance location problem using three models: Maximum Covering Location Problem (MCLP), Queuing Maximum Availability Location Problem (Q-MALP), andMultiserver QueuingMaximum Availability Location Problem (MQ-MALP). A heuristic method is developed to site the ambulances.The models are applied to the 33-node problem representing Austin, Texas, and the 55-node problem. For the 33-node problem, the results showthat the servers are less spatially distributed in Q-MALP andMQ-MALPwhen the uncertainty of server availability is considered using either the independent or dependent travel time. On the other hand, for the 55-node problem, the spatial distribution of the servers obtained by locating a server to the highest hit node location is more dispersed inMCLP and Q-MALP.The implications of the new model for the ambulance services system design are discussed as well as the limitations of the modeling approach.