4. Modeling Equity for Allocating Public Resources

Equity and fairness constitute central concerns in many disciplines, and their relevance to the allocation of public resources is undeniable. However, measures of equity used in the studies of public resource allocation are frequently ad hoc, and no standard measure of equity or process for selecting a measure of equity has emerged. Nevertheless, a burgeoning literature exists that systematically considers how best to model equity with perspectives from many disciplines. The goal of this chapter is to review, synthesize, and critically evaluate key contributions to modeling equity for allocating resources in public service systems. This chapter provides a useful guide to the central issues in the modeling of equity and fairness for operations researchers that reflects a broad, multidisciplinary perspective. Throughout the discussion, the planning and provision of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) resources are used as a microcosm of public services allocation problems, and equity modeling issues are illustrated through problems arising in EMS.