Decision support tools for ambulance dispatch and relocation

Abstract

In this paper, the development of decision support tools for dynamic ambulance relocation and automatic ambulance dispatching is described.

Approximate Dynamic Programming for Ambulance Redeployment

“…However, these papers follow an exact dynamic programming formulation and, as is often the case, this formulation is tractable only in oversimplified versions of the problem with few vehicles and small transportation networks. Andersson (2005) and Andersson and Vaerband (2007) make the ambulance redeployment decision by using a "preparedness" function that essentially measures the capability of a certain ambulance configuration to cover future calls. The preparedness function is similar in spirit to the value function in a dynamic program, measuring the impact of current decisions on the future evolution of the system.…”

Supporting Dispatch Decisions for the Fire and Rescue Services

“…The motivation for this is that it should not be possible to obtain an adequate PA by only improving the situation for zones that already have an adequate preparedness (which is possible if the PA is chosen as the sum over all zones in the area). Likewise, only looking at the single zone with the highest value, like in [3], and ignoring all other zones, does not capture how the firefighters evaluate the preparedness in the area. It should be noted that the PA is only used in the analysis phase of this project, and not accessible directly in the DSS.…”

“…It is common that less urgent calls can be assigned to ambulances with a longer travel time than the shortest to preserve the preparedness. In [3], the authors develop a preparedness measure that is used as a base for EMS dispatching and relocation models. While the work we present here share similarities with [3], the situation is more complex for FRS than for EMS.…”

“…In [3], the authors develop a preparedness measure that is used as a base for EMS dispatching and relocation models. While the work we present here share similarities with [3], the situation is more complex for FRS than for EMS. This is because ambulances often can be assumed to be homogenous and interchangeable, while FRS resources cannot.…”

“…For FRS, different accidents may require completely different resources. The dispatching strategies in [3], has been further developed e.g. in [4].…”