A genetic algorithm based approach to provide solutions for emergency aid stations location problem and a case study for Pendik/İstanbul

Abstract

The emergency aid station is one of the crucial components of the emergency health service chain providing vital acute medical care. This paper aims to solve a real world case related with the deployment of emergency aid stations in one of the densely populated districts of İstanbul/Turkey in order to determine the minimal number of ambulances needed to maintain complete coverage of all districts and also to obtain maximum population coverage with limited available ambulances. In this context, a new genetic algorithm capable of presenting quick and qualified solutions for a specific set and maximal covering location problems with limitations on service capacity of facilities is proposed.