Location â allocation models are designed to seek the concurrent location of a set of service facilities and an allocation scheme to satisfy the demands of a set of customers or users of a given system. If the location-allocation model is based on a graph-theoretic formulation, then the demand-fulfilling items will move from a designated origin or origins, through arcs and transshipment nodes, to a set of destinations selected by the model. It is suggested in this research effort that such a modeling structure may be employed to simulate transportation evacuation conditions that may arise in the case of a natural disaster, namely a hurricane. A nonlinear mixed integer mathematical program is formulated to route passengers in automobiles on paths in the transportation network, such that the endangered area is evacuated in the minimum amount of time. One heuristic and two exact, convergent, implicit enumeration algorithms based on the generalized Benders' decomposition method are presented. The algorithms are designed to exploit the inherent problem structure. Computational experience is provided against a set of realistic test problems formulated on the Virginia Beach network. Potential avenues for further research are also explored. / Master of Science

Disaster researchers have established the determinants of preparedness and mitigation at the household level of analysis. However, at the organizational level, there is limited research and no theory to guide research on the determinants of preparedness and mitigation. The main goal of this study is to answer the question "what are the determinants of mitigation and preparedness at the organizational level?" The data come from a survey of 227 organizations in Memphis, Tennessee. This study uses Tobit regression technique to identify the determinants. This study finds that organizational size and concern over disaster impact are strong positive determinants of mitigation and preparedness in organizations. In addition, there is a significant and non-linear relationship between organizational obstacle and mitigation and preparedness activities. The study concludes with policy implications and recommendations for future studies.

Disaster researchers have established the determinants of preparedness and mitigation at the household level of analysis. However, at the organizational level, there is limited research and no theory to guide research on the determinants of preparedness and mitigation. The main goal of this study is to answer the question "what are the determinants of mitigation and preparedness at the organizational level?" The data come from a survey of 227 organizations in Memphis, Tennessee. This study uses Tobit regression technique to identify the determinants. This study finds that organizational size and concern over disaster impact are strong positive determinants of mitigation and preparedness in organizations. In addition, there is a significant and non-linear relationship between organizational obstacle and mitigation and preparedness activities. The study concludes with policy implications and recommendations for future studies.