A hazmat routing model satisfying risk criteria

A way to reduce the risk caused by the transportation of hazardous materials is represented by routing, that is by the selection of alternative less risky paths than those usually chosen by truck drivers. This chapter presents the full version of an innovative routing model named OPTIPATH. First the theoretical fundamentals of the methodology are described and then a case study application to a real-life routing scenario is outlined. The model formulation is that of a multi-commodity network flow problem with global arc capacities, having the mathematical form of a linear integer programming problem with constraints. The OPTIPATH procedure, which offers a wide set of optimisation strategies, has three main features: the use of accurate risk measures, the possibility to assure compliance with risk acceptability criteria and its implementation in a GIS-based software for hazmat transportation risk analysis and routing, capable to handle realistic networks and to give support in the decision-making processes where industrial risk is involved.