A Multi-objective Compromise Weight Model for Hazmat Transportation Problems with the Consideration of Response Capability

Abstract

In 2014, the Kaohsiung City in Taiwan suffered from the gas pipeline explosions in the midnight, 32 people were killed, and hundreds of people injured. After the incidents, hazardous materials (hazmat) transportation is initiated to avoid pipeline transportation. However, studies on policies and routing strategies for chemical tank cars are still limited. The study develops a multi-objective formulation for hazmat problems and proposes a compromise weight algorithm for selecting hazmat routes under multi-objectives, including travel cost, travel risk and response capability. Risk assessment indexes are defined based on road characteristics, population distribution, link length, hazmat characteristics, and accident rate. In addition, the concept of response capability, such as fire-fighting resources, is added in the hazmat problem. Numerical experiments are conducted in the Kaohsiung network to illustrate the proposed algorithm. The results show the advantages of the proposed algorithm and also propose appropriate advices for authorities.