Development and implementation of algorithms for vehicle routing during a no-notice evacuation

• Published in: Cogent mathematics Vol. 3; no. 1; p. 1163767
• Main Authors: Chen, Xin, Zhang, Zhu, Fries, Ryan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Cogent 31.12.2016; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Algorithms; arc labeling; assignment problem; Computing time; Evacuation; Evacuation routing; Labeling; Roads & highways; Route planning; Shortest path algorithms; Shortest-path problems; Time dependence; time-dependent shortest path; VBA; Vehicle routing; Visual Basic; Visual programming languages
• ISSN: 2331-1835; 2331-1835; 2768-4830
• DOI: 10.1080/23311835.2016.1163767

This article develops and implements time-dependent shortest path and assignment algorithms for vehicle routing and assignment during a no-notice evacuation. A time-dependent shortest path algorithm with arc labeling is designed to improve computer storage space efficiency. Visual Basic for Application (VBA) is used to improve time efficiency of both shortest path and assignment algorithms. Performance of the algorithms is analyzed and compared through implementation in VBA and the General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS). Since VBA seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Excel and enables efficient data manipulation, the algorithms implemented in VBA are more efficient and obtain optimal solutions faster than those implemented in the GAMS. The shortest path algorithm with arc labeling implemented in VBA may be used for real-time vehicle routing for large road networks during no-notice evacuations.