A simulation model for evaluating a set of emergency vehicle base locations: Development, validation, and usage

Jeffrey Goldberg, Robert Dietrich, Jen Ming Chen, Mousa Mitwasi, Terry Valenzuela, Elizabeth Criss

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper describes our experiences in developing a simulation model for evaluating a set of emergency response vehicle base locations. The project was undertaken jointly by the University of Arizona and the Tucson Fire Department. The issues of model development, data collection, model validation, and experimentation are discussed. The critical nature of the problem and the clients' lack of experience with mathematical models, made model validation (he major step in gaining user acceptance. We show that looking solely at standard performance statistics such as the calls successfully serviced, may lead to the acceptance of an invalid model. We also show that the high level of detail used in many simulation models for evaluating bu.se locations is unnecessary in the current case. An analysis evaluating two alternative sets of locations for the Tucson system is discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)125-141
Number of pages17
JournalSocio-Economic Planning Sciences
Volume24
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1990

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geography, Planning and Development
  • Economics and Econometrics
  • Strategy and Management
  • Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty
  • Management Science and Operations Research

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