Optimisation of Evacuation Route Determination in an Earthquake Natural Disaster Scenario Using an Excel Solver

Abstract

Earthquake natural disasters can cause significant infrastructure damage, hindering community access and mobility. In such a situation, determining the shortest path for evacuation becomes very important. This research uses linear programming by utilising Excel Solver to determine the shortest evacuation route for earthquake natural disasters. Excel Solver is a feature in Microsoft Excel that serves as an analytical tool to solve linear optimisation problems. Excel solver can be used to find solutions that maximise or minimise the objective function, with respect to predetermined constraints. This research utilises relevant earthquake natural disaster simulation data as constraints in the optimisation model. The results show that the model can generate shortest paths that fulfil various constraints and criteria. The model can also be used to predict the time required to reach the destination. This research makes an important contribution to the development of tools and methods for shortest path optimisation in natural disaster scenarios. The optimisation model developed in this research can be used to assist decision makers in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of evacuation and disaster relief operations.