Abstract:
In this study a comprehensive and realistic shortest route model has been developed and validated
using field data for one of the densely populated areas of Dhaka city. The main objective of this
study is to find optimal solution to solving the routes for emergency vehicles including
ambulances and firefighting units through the congested road network of the study area during
any disastrous situation.
The shortest path with only one criterion chooses the path with the least length when the average
travel speed is same in particular roadway network. Whereas, the multi-criteria optimum route
chooses the route with the least friction and thereby produces a path with the least travel time for
the quickest response.
Using the developed model different spatial analyses including closest facility location, Origin-
Destination (O-D) cost matrix generation, location allocation and service area analysis have been
done with ArcGIS 10.3 network extension tools. From analysis it is found that more than 85% of
the area is beyond emergency response service within 15 minutes of any fire related incidents in
congested roadway condition. From the raster map it is seen that the average travel times of the
four hospitals ranges from a minimum of 7.4 minutes to a maximum of 20.7 minutes. The study
identified 27 evacuation points in the periphery of the study boundary. The distance of the closest
evacuation points from any locality has been found to range from 73 meter to 1095 meter.
Based on these analyses the most vulnerable localities have been identified and to lessen the
expected damage of these areas some Emergency Medical Service and/or Emergency Fire
Response units have been proposed in different location using location-allocation analysis by
maximizing the coverage area.
