Fuzzy logic based algorithms for maximum covering location problems

This paper concerns a class of maximum covering location problems in networks in uncertain environments. It is assumed that: (a) relative weights of demand nodes are either deterministic or imprecise, described by linguistic expressions, (b) potential facility site locations are limited to network nodes. The concept of coverage is extended to include a degree of node coverage which means that the borders between the subset of covered demand nodes and the subset of uncovered demand nodes are inexact. The acceptable service distance/traveling times from a facility site to demand nodes are modelled by fuzzy sets. Three new algorithms for choosing the best facility locations are developed which assume that (1) demands at all nodes are equally important, (2) relative weights of demand at nodes are deterministic and (3) weights of demand at nodes are * Corresponding author