Uncertainty and decision strategy analysis of GIS-based Ordered Weighted Averaging method

Abstract

Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA) is a relatively new Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) method. In GIS-based OWA method, both criteria weights and order weights are considered, this makes the uncertainty and decision strategy more complicated. Uncertainty and decision strategy of OWA method are different from traditional MCE method, such as Boolean overlay and Weighted Linear Combination (WLC). Calculation method of order weights based on Rank and Orness, and construction method of comparison matrix for criteria weights based on analytical hierarchy program (AHP), are introduced; decision-making strategy of GIS-based OWA method is discussed through analyzing OWA evaluation procedure, the relationship between decision-making risk and tradeoff is investigated. As an example, GIS-based OWA method is applied to Tangshan City. According to the calculating results, uncertainty and the relationship between decision-making risk and land use suitability is discussed.