Improved emergency management by a loosely coupled logistic system

Abstract

We investigate a robust and intelligent logistic system for emergency management where existing commercial logistic systems are loosely coupled with logistic systems of emergency management organizations and armed forces. This system is used to supply the population in case of a disaster where a high impact of environmental conditions on logistics can be seen. Very important are robustness as the ability of a logistic system to remain effective under these conditions and intelligent behavior for automated ad-hoc decisions facing unforeseen events. Scenario technique, roadmapping, as well as surveys are used as qualitative methodologies to identify current weaknesses in emergency management logistics and to forecast future development of loosely coupled logistic systems. Text mining and web mining analysis as quantitative methodologies are used to improve forecasting. As a result, options are proposed for governmental organizations and companies to enable such a loosely coupled logistic system within the next 20 years. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.