A Practical Methodology for Ambulance Location
Article Abstract:
An ambulance location system was created for the British Columbia Provincial Ambulance Service. It was applied in the Capital Regional District (an area of about 937 square miles). The system helps administrators locate ambulances to improve response to calls. The system consists of three parts: a means to reduce data to manageable proportions, a P-Median model for the determination of rough locations, and a computer simulation model for fine tuning of locations. The system worked well. The method of data reduction proved both practical and efficient. The rough locations provided by the P-Median model provided an excellent starting solution. The simulation model was shown to be accurate in comparison with actual Capital Regional District data. The model was used with confidence to do a number of useful experiments concerning optimal ambulance locations and system response to changes in demand levels. The validated system was used to answer many 'what if' questions such as those that follow: Are vehicles located in the best manner? If we move one unit to reduce complaints from area A, how will this affect service in area B? If we get more units, should we locate them incrementally or would it be better to relocate all bases? How much can we hedge against expected future demands? How should we space shifts? How should we determine the number of crews per shift? (Reprinted by Permission of Publisher.)
Publication Name: SIMULATION
Subject: Engineering and manufacturing industries
ISSN: 0037-5497
Year: 1984
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NEMS: a database support environment for numerical experimentation
Article Abstract:
Simulation and computer based experimentation in general, are activities that can rapidly generate large amounts of data. The usefulness of this data depends very much on the convenience with which it can be examined, summarized and/or tabulated. In this paper, we outline the design of a generalized Numerical Experiments Management System (NEMS) that provides a framework for managing the large amount of relevant data that are typically associated with numerical studies. This includes the management of both the parameter values that are used in the experiments and the results that are produced. The work is based on a model of the problem solving environment which consists of three types of entities called solution engines, problem instances and experiments. The system environment for NEMS consists of a personal computer which runs NEMS and provides the database function, and a mainframe computer which carries out the experiments. The necessary interconnecting mechanism is assumed to be available. The organization of NEMS and its functional capabilities are described. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)
Publication Name: SIMULATION
Subject: Engineering and manufacturing industries
ISSN: 0037-5497
Year: 1990
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