Modeling and solving Passenger ship evacuation arrangement problem

In emergency scenarios on large passenger ships, ensuring the safety and efficient evacuation of a significant number of passengers is of utmost importance. Well-designed and preplanned evacuation arrangements are essential for a smooth and timely evacuation process. However, current research and evacuation models often overlook crucial planning considerations, including the allocation framework, counterflow prevention, and plan feasibility. To bridge these gaps, this paper presents a novel multi-criteria optimization model that addresses these overlooked aspects. A unique heuristic solution is proposed, utilizing a two-stage simulated annealing algorithm, to effectively solve this complex evacuation problem. When applied to a full-scale 14-deck cruise ship with 4977 passengers, the presented approach results in an optimized evacuation plan that markedly outperforms the original plan from the design materials, achieving reduced evacuation time and counterflow elimination. This research offers a practical tool for emergency management on large passenger ships, empowering ship designers and safety engineers to make informed, data-driven decisions.