Applying the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) into the effects assessment of river training works

Abstract

AbstractThe aim of the following study was to compare a few methods of river regulations and indicate the one which fully meets technical regulative standard and concurrently ensures protection of the watercourse ecosystem. According to the sustainable development rules it is of the most importance in every human activity to compromise between developmental and environmental needs of current and future generations. Therefore, both technical criteria related to flood safety and environmental ones were taken into consideration in the analysis. Field study was conducted in vegetation stage between 2008 and 2014 in small and medium lowland watercourses in Lower Silesia. The research comprised of measurements and descriptions of selected technical and environmental elements of a complex system of the watercourse river bed. Basing on obtained results a multicriterial assessment of the effects of the works was conducted. In order to assess the results an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used in the study. It facilitated the creation of linear ranking of river beds and indicate the most optimal solution in terms of sustainable development. Such methods have not been applied in solving problems connected with river regulation. That’s why this study aims also at checking the utility of this method in decision making in both planning and regulation works realization. Results of the study indicate high usefulness of AHP method in the decision-making process.