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Predicting ambulance demand using singular spectrum analysis

Author

Listed:
  • J L Vile

    (Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK)

  • J W Gillard

    (Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK)

  • P R Harper

    (Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK)

  • V A Knight

    (Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK)

Abstract

This paper demonstrates techniques to generate accurate predictions of demand exerted upon the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) using data provided by the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust (WAST). The aim is to explore new methods to produce accurate forecasts that can be subsequently embedded into current OR methodologies to optimise resource allocation of vehicles and staff, and allow rapid response to potentially life-threatening emergencies. Our analysis explores a relatively new non-parametric technique for time series analysis known as Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA). We explain the theory of SSA and evaluate the performance of this approach by comparing the results with those produced by conventional time series methods. We show that in addition to being more flexible in approach, SSA produces superior longer-term forecasts (which are especially helpful for EMS planning), and comparable shorter-term forecasts to well established methods.

Suggested Citation

  • J L Vile & J W Gillard & P R Harper & V A Knight, 2012. "Predicting ambulance demand using singular spectrum analysis," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 63(11), pages 1556-1565, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jorsoc:v:63:y:2012:i:11:p:1556-1565
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Petropoulos, Fotios & Apiletti, Daniele & Assimakopoulos, Vassilios & Babai, Mohamed Zied & Barrow, Devon K. & Ben Taieb, Souhaib & Bergmeir, Christoph & Bessa, Ricardo J. & Bijak, Jakub & Boylan, Joh, 2022. "Forecasting: theory and practice," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 705-871.
      • Fotios Petropoulos & Daniele Apiletti & Vassilios Assimakopoulos & Mohamed Zied Babai & Devon K. Barrow & Souhaib Ben Taieb & Christoph Bergmeir & Ricardo J. Bessa & Jakub Bijak & John E. Boylan & Jet, 2020. "Forecasting: theory and practice," Papers 2012.03854, arXiv.org, revised Jan 2022.
    2. Benjamin M. Taylor, 2017. "Spatial modelling of emergency service response times," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 180(2), pages 433-453, February.
    3. Abreu, Paulo & Santos, Daniel & Barbosa-Povoa, Ana, 2023. "Data-driven forecasting for operational planning of emergency medical services," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    4. Hyunjin Lee & Taesik Lee, 2021. "Demand modelling for emergency medical service system with multiple casualties cases: k-inflated mixture regression model," Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, Springer, vol. 33(4), pages 1090-1115, December.
    5. Zhengyi Zhou & David S. Matteson & Dawn B. Woodard & Shane G. Henderson & Athanasios C. Micheas, 2015. "A Spatio-Temporal Point Process Model for Ambulance Demand," Journal of the American Statistical Association, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 110(509), pages 6-15, March.

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