Research themes
CENTRAL is a research centre with significant expertise in four areas. We work with the private, public and third sectors to find solutions to problems or questions they face.
CENTRAL is a research centre with significant expertise in four areas. We work with the private, public and third sectors to find solutions to problems or questions they face.
The efficient and safe movement of passengers and goods via air transport is an incredibly important part of the global economy. There has been a rapid increase in demand for air transport services, which existing airport and air-space capacity cannot meet. CENTRAL researchers are focused on finding ways to unlock this fundamental problem.
We are developing models that determine the capacity of the various components of the air transport system on behalf of private, public and government clients. Our goal is to estimate the operational impact, make optimal use of available resources, provide efficient solutions to address the demand-capacity imbalance, and optimise fleet scheduling and maintenance decisions.
2015-2021 - Mathematical Models and Algorithms for Allocating Scarce Airport Resources (OR-MASTER). Programme Grant, Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC).
Konstantinos G. Zografos (PI)
2016-2018 - An Optimization Framework for Trajectory Based Operations (OptiFrame), Horizon 2020 / SESAR.
Konstantinos G. Zografos (PI) and Guglielmo Lulli (CoPI)
Freight Transport Logistics focuses on the planning, organisation, management, control and execution of freight transport operations in the supply chain. CENTRAL researchers have worked on problems facing decision-makers who want to improve freight transport system performance. They are: the optimisation of freight transport planning and operations; vehicle routing and scheduling with environmental and societal considerations; and hazardous materials transportation. We are developing mathematical models and algorithms that capture the inherent dynamics and stochasticity of the problems.
CENTRAL researchers have been tackling problems of shared transport systems and multimodal itinerary planning. On behalf of our clients, we are addressing issues related to strategic, tactical and operational decisions in (electric) car sharing systems. We are also working on mathematical models and efficient algorithms for solving multimodal, multi-criteria, international, and door-to-door trip planning systems.
Large-scale technological and natural disasters need effective planning and deployment of emergency response resources from various public and private organisations. When done well, emergency response significantly improves society's ability to cope with the negative impacts of disasters and enhances community resilience.
CENTRAL researchers are addressing issues related to emergency response unit locations, resource deployment coordination, and evacuation management, as well as community resilience assessment and improvement. We are focused on developing models that forecast disaster characteristics, optimise scheduling for response crews, and improve evacuation operations during large-scale disasters.
The Framework for Community Resilience Assessment and Measurement (FRAME) aims to address the problem of community resilience and sustainability in regular and crisis situations in Southeast Asian countries. To achieve this aim, an integrated framework for assessing and measuring community resilience in Southeast Asian countries will be developed.
FRAME focuses on Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11). Community resilience is one of the major pillars of SDG 11. One of the key targets of SDG 11 is the significant reduction of deaths and the number of people affected, and the significant decrease of economic losses caused by disasters, with a focus on protecting poor and vulnerable populations (Target 11.5).
FRAME addresses directly this target, while it cuts across several other Sustainable Development Goals including: Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Industry Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Climate Action (SDG 13) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).
Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. It is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Indo-Australian, Eurasian, and Pacific plates meet. Natural hazards include earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, landslides, and volcanic eruptions.
ORDER strengthens the interdisciplinary research collaboration between UK researchers who specialize in quantitative methods for disaster management and information systems, and Indonesian researchers and practitioners in disaster management. By utilising mathematical models for decision support and integrating isolated information systems, disaster risks can be reduced, and resources for both preparedness and recovery can be used more effectively. The results of our research will benefit all stakeholders involved in and/or affected by large scale natural disasters. Specifically, our results will help:
Professor Zografos (PI) and Professor Sutanto (Col) organised a workshop in the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand on 9-10 January 2019. The workshop is within the framework of the Accelerating Impact for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AIDE-Response) project, which is funded by EPSRC GCRF Global Impact Accelerator Account.
The workshop was attended by representatives from ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre), disaster management authorities of the three most vulnerable countries in the region (Philippine, Indonesia, and Myanmar), non-governmental organisations that are actively involved in disaster management and response, and UN agencies (FAO, UNESCAP, UNICEF).
Workshop participants identified barriers in disaster emergency management and potential enablers to overcome them. One key enabler is a Decision Support System (DSS) that uses static and dynamic data to suggest actions like logistics routing and evacuation plans. The DSS can improve the timeliness, accuracy, and consistency of decisions. Additionally, participants noted its potential to address the needs of population groups with special mobility requirements, enhance responder safety, and aid in post-action assessments.