AN ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVE LOCATIONS AND SERVICE AREAS OF AMERICAN-RED-CROSS BLOOD FACILITIES

We investigated a facility relocation problem for the mid-Atlantic reg ion of the American Red Cross (ARC) in Norfolk, Virginia. The ARC was concerned with the feasibility and effect of a proposed facility reloc ation on its blood collection and distribution. We developed optimizat ion models to provide insights into its current scheduling of blood co llections and distributions as well as the changes imposed by this pro posed relocation. As a result of our analysis and recommendations, ARC decided to postpone its facility relocation and to optimize the opera tions of its existing facilities.