Evaluating the Impact of Supply Prepositioning and UAVs on Flood Preparedness in Belgium: A Two-Stage Scenario-Based Optimizaion Approach

Details

Supervisors

Agrell, Per Joakim

Faculty

Louvain School of Management

Degree label

Master [120] : ingénieur de gestion, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

Floods are among the most devastating natural disasters, posing significant risks to communities worldwide. In recent years, the increasing frequency and severity of floods, exacerbated by climate change, have underscored the need for enhanced disaster preparedness, particularly in vulnerable regions like Belgium. This research explores the potential of strategically pre-positioned disaster relief centers and the integration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to improve flood preparedness and, consequently, improve disaster response time in Belgium. Through a two-stage scenario-based optimization model, this research evaluates the impact of establishing multiple relief centers across Belgium and incorporating UAVs into the disaster relief fleet. To apply the model to the specific case of Belgium scenarios were developed through historical flood data and geographical analysis. Through this scenarios the model is able to identify optimal locations for relief centers and determine the most effective quantities of emergency supplies to pre-position. The findings demonstrate that the strategic placement of relief centers significantly reduces response times and enhances the flexibility of supply distribution, ensuring the timely delivery of critical resources during flood events. Additionally, UAVs offer a valuable advantage by quickly accessing damaged or hard-to-reach areas, surpassing traditional transportation methods in speed and efficiency. This research underscores the importance of innovative logistical strategies in building a resilient disaster response system and provides actionable insights that can improve Belgium's flood preparedness and mitigate the adverse effects of future flood events.