MCDA Methods Research Articles

An analytical hierarchy process for selection of the optimal procedure for resveratrol determination in wine samples

The study shows the application of analytical hierarchy process (AHP) in ranking the analytical procedures, that are applied for resveratrol determination in wine samples. 19 different analytical methodologies are described by metrological, economic and environmental criteria, that are further divided into 10 subcriteria. Before AHP application, the amount of input data is decreased with cluster analysis. The first run of AHP is aimed to rank the clustered analytical procedures, while the second analysis is performed to select the best procedure from the cluster with the highest rank obtained in the first AHP run. The procedure based on a direct sample injection to high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection is the most beneficial one. AHP is excellent tool for the assessment and the selection of the most appropriate analytical procedure from several available. The choice of MCDA method is dictated by the fact, that so far, no examples of the usage of a given method for the selection of the optimal analytical procedure have been found in the literature.

Choice of abandoned territories conversion scenario according to MCDA methods

Urban brownfields are found in all parts of the world. They suffer from a negative image and are generally being viewed as problem areas. However, urban brownfields also offer potentials for new uses and for the ecological regeneration of cities. Strategic decision-making has a long term impact on the quality of life, ecological balance and urban structure. Therefore, the paper is aimed at providing a methodology for selecting the optimal scenario for urban brownfields regarding criteria for urban development and focuses on three possible scenarios representing sustainable urban development in the city. The results of the research are provided as a priority list for each scenario in the context of every neighbourhood of Vilnius city. The obtained results show the scenario optimal for each neighbourhood having the highest priority to implementing solutions in real life. Economic, social, physical (urbanistic) and environmental criteria are considered. Geographic information system (GIS) tools are employed for collecting spatial information, obtaining the initial set of criteria and deriving statistical data. Different MCDA methods, including TOPSIS, EDAS, COPRAS and SAW are used in the research. The correlation between the values of the sets pairs of cumulative criteria for the applied MCDA methods appeared to be satisfactory for the conducted re-search. The developed framework will support the decision-making process in brownfield land redevelopment aiding sustainable urban planning.

Review of the Literature on Multicriteria Methods Applied in the Field of Public Security

Public security is a topic with increasing relevance over the years. In this context, the growing demand requires decisions that consider multiple points of view, some of them subjective. This work is based on the assumption that few studies have been conducted in the public security sector employing multiple criteria techniques to support the decision making procedure. In this context, this research had the objective of mapping the application of MCDA methods within the scope of public security. A literature review in the journals of the Scopus and ISI Web of Science databases was carried out in October 2016, accessed through Capes portal, integrating the following themes: public security and multicriteria decision aid. A systematic search was conducted by applying the Webibliomining method. After applying specific keywords and filters 965 records were returned from Scopus and 788 records from the ISI Web of Science. The review of findings summary resulted in a set of 19 articles validated as compliant for inclusion in the revision, where 19 were from Scopus and 6 were shared with the Web of Science base. The analysis of the articles showed that there is no predominant multicriteria method in the context of the search. The recurrent applications refer to the resolution of the policing distribution problem, and classification of crime rate by region. The key contribution of this work is to provide the reader with a map of public safety problems already addressed in the context of MCDAs approaches and to highlight aspects of this problem that have not yet explored in the context of the MCDA.

Simulation of multicriteria data

For several reasons like benchmarking of MCDA methods, the MCDA community should be interested in the production of simulated multicriteria datasets based on real datasets. Our goal in this paper is to propose several methods to simulate these new multicriteria data from an existing dataset. Simulated data should be as similar as possible to the initial dataset, including the capture of specific structure in the initial dataset (if any). We propose here to study independent sample, PCA-based sample and copula-based sample and to determine which one best succeeds in generating new data on demand. The copula-based method seems the best one to reproduce specific links between criteria.

Multi-Criteria Analysis of Electric Vans for City Logistics

Atmospheric emissions of anthropogenic origin are one of the most important problems in cities. A particularly discrete ecological footprint in urban environment is made by urban freight transport. This problem has become the key challenge for all stakeholder groups involved in freight transport in urban areas. Over the recent years, there has been a growing interest in using alternative fuel vehicles in urban logistics, including those equipped with electric drive systems. This paper presents a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) of selected electric vehicles (EVs) in the context of their application for the purposes of deliveries in cities. In methodological terms, we present a unique MCA-based approach for evaluation of Electric Freight Vehicles (EFVs). A successful attempt is made to build a multistep MCA procedure based on two carefully selected MCDA methods (PROMETHEE II and fuzzy TOPSIS) to handle both certain and uncertain data sets in a single decision process. In practical terms, we successfully demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed approach by creating a set of decision maker’s preference models (based on certain and uncertain data) of carefully selected EFVs and provide sensitivity and robustness analyses of the obtained solutions.

Evaluation of Groundwater Remediation Technologies Based on Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Approaches

Petroleum is an essential resource for the development of society and its production is huge. There is a great risk of leakage of oil during production, refining, and transportation. After entering the environment, the oil pollutants will be a great threat to the environment and may endanger human health. Therefore, it is very important to remediate oil pollution in the subsurface. However, it is necessary to choose the appropriate remediation technology. In this paper, 18 technologies are evaluated through constructing a parameter matrix with each technology and seven performance indicators, and a comprehensive analysis model is presented. In this model, four MCDA methods are used. They are SWA (Simple Weighted Addition Method), WP (Weighted Product Method), CGT (Cooperative Game Theory), and TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution). Mean ranking and Borda ranking methods are used to integrate the results of SWA, WP, CGT, and TOPSIS. Then two selection priorities of each method (mean ranking and Borda ranking) are obtained. The model is proposed to help decide the best choice of remediation technologies. It can effectively reduce contingency, subjectivity, one-sidedness of the traditional methods and provide scientific reference for effective decision-making.

A Ranking Method Based on the Aggregate Distance Measure Function in the Value Space

The aim of this paper is to introduce a new MCDA method for ranking a finite set of alternatives evaluated on multiple criteria. The proposed method uses the idea of the robust ordinal regression (ROR) approach to establish the ranking scores determined by the distance measure function, however not in the criteria space, but in the value space. The preference model is composed of a set of additive value functions compatible with the preference information provided by the decision maker (DM). From among many forms of an additive preference model, we consider the model having as simple form as possible, i.e., the model that is the “closest to linear”. We define an achievement scalarizing function representing closeness to the ideal solution in the value space. A set of mix-integer linear programming (MILP) problems is then solved to determine the minimum distance scores of each alternative on the set of compatible value functions. Then, the obtained distance scores are used to rank all alternatives. A hypothetical case study is then performed to illustrate the proposed method. Finally, the result of our method is discussed and compared with results obtained by other methods based on the distance measure function (i.e., TOPSIS and VIKOR).

A framework for interoperability assessment in crisis management

Abstract It is noticeable the growth of various types of concerns in large centers, whether by citizens or public officials. In that sense, an important dimension is crises management such as in cases of natural disasters. This scenario calls for a task force in an attempt to predict or solve emergencies, especially in managing and integrating public and private spheres, which in turn are centered on public authorities, service providers, citizens, volunteers and systems. In order to allow the exchange of information and joint actions of those involved entities, the fulfillment of interoperability requirements becomes a critical factor to promote improved performance of the actions taken in these situations. Based on the literature and related worldwide initiatives, the main concerns and attributes of crisis management are identified from the perspective of interoperability. Founded on this knowledge a framework that supports a Disaster Response Management System (DRMS) development cycle is proposed focusing on a diagnostic step based on a multi-criteria decision analysis techniques (MCDA) to assess potential interoperability of a public entity or locality. The proposed MCDA method facilitates the specification of integrated solutions for the public sector to meet interoperability requirements in disaster management (DM) scenarios. In this paper the assessment method was based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process technique (AHP), and applied to a company involved in the DM domain, responsible for the information technology infrastructure of a city in the south of Brazil. The findings show the main gaps of the entity under the interoperability perspective, allowing the identification of key areas for improvement of its DM capabilities coherent to the DRMS deployment process.

A GIS-based multi criteria decision analysis approach for exploring geothermal resources: Akarcay basin (Afyonkarahisar)

Geothermal exploration studies are generally costly and complex. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Method (MCDA) has vital advantages such as preperation data that extends over large area, exploration of current and potential geothermal fields, and achieving a more controlled and acurate results by narrowing target area. In this study, geothermal potential areas were defined by GIS Based MCDA in Afyonkarahisar within the boundaries of Akarcay Basin. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used in stage of decision analysis of MCDA, and the method of pairwise comparison method was applied in order to determine relative weights of the each criteria in the scope of the AHP. Favourability of geothermal potential map was created via synthesizing standardized data layers with their weights. The map was classified with six classes (very low, low, medium, high, very high and, extremely high) by using Natural Breaks Jenks Method. The results of the study were compared with the current hot springs locations that are in the Gazligol, Omer, Gecek, Kizik, Uyuz, Heybeli geothermal fields. In conclusion, all the current hot springs are in the extremely high class that was defined by GIS based MCDA method.

A Decision Model for Emergency Warehouse Location Based on a Novel Stochastic MCDA Method: Evidence from China

China is one of the disaster-prone countries in the world. Constructing a rapid and effective relief logistic system is important for disaster-responding at country level. Strategic prepositioning of emergency items, especially the decision of appropriate emergency warehouses location, has significant impacts on rapid disaster response to ensure sufficient relief supplies. The emergency warehouse location decision is a complex problem, where a wide variety of criteria need to be considered and the preference information of decision makers (DMs) may be imprecise or even absent. In this paper, we identify key effectiveness-oriented criteria used to evaluate the alternative emergency warehouse locations and make an attempt to propose a new multicriteria ranking method to solve the problem of inaccurate or uncertain weight information based on stochastic pairwise dominant relations and the pruning procedure of ELECTRE-II method. The proposed method extends the conventional ELECTRE-II method by incorporating inaccurate information and broadens its application to emergency warehouse location field. The feasibility and applicability of the proposed method are illustrated with a simulated example.

The Permanent Residential Housing: Geographic Information System-Based Evaluation Considering the Legislation

The paper deals with the conception of multi-criteria analysis geographic information system (GIS). The set of criteria has great influence on the whole project in GIS. This fact is described in chapter “materials and methods” where a new model is discussed. In these model is included influence of legislative which restrict the set of criteria. The selected criteria have also determine the input dataset. It leads to proper and optimal selecting of set of input data in GIS. The advantage is the optimization of input data and selects the best variant in combination with strategies in spatial decision making. The article proposes the evaluation process which is user oriented and consists of several multi-criteria methods. In this paper the authors proposed a mathematical model which includes input data containing hypothesis of the stakeholders (input criteria) and output data representing proposed variants for different solutions. Experimental results are focused on GIS based evaluation of permanent residential housing. As main method of multi-criterial analysis is used sensitive analysis. A team of experts and stakeholders sett importance of the various criteria and thus determine the values of weights for their quantification. These parameters are determined in the model as the main criteria for strategic planning in the real estate engineering. The weights are also numerically quantified using different methods of decision theory. Selected and restricted criteria (by legislative) determine the set of spatial analytical functions. Spatial analyses create an important part of this method. Spatial analyses serve as an attractive cartographic presentation of the project to users appearing in the real estate market using static and of interactive maps. Graphically and numerically multi-criteria analyses are presented as the final result which report analyzing the effectiveness of various factors. These factors affect the real estate market and the price of real estate. From an economic point of view, it is possible to determine these factors by the supply and demand for a particular type of property. The proposed method is a new approach to comprehensive evaluation criteria for the purposes of the real estate market. The existing MCDA methods are integrated into one unit and evaluated through an optimal variant.

Comprehensive Approach to Efficient Planning of Formwork Utilization on the Construction Site

The paper presents a consistent approach to concrete works planning, which begins with formwork selection and ends with project scheduling. To work out the problem of formwork selection, selected MCDA methods are recommended. In order to apply them, the decisive criteria were recognized with a structured survey sent to contractors. The efficiency of formwork utilization is measured with a virtual cost of formwork under utilization, so when the formwork is available on the construction site but remains unused or when it should be struck but remains unremoved from the construction. Such measure was determined, after having analysed various criteria of schedule quality and optimality assessment.

Wielokryterialny wybór strategii rozwoju wybranej gminy wiejskiej (na przykładzie gminy Rzekuń) = Multi-criteria choice of development strategy for a selected rural commune (case-study of the Rzekuń commune)

The objective of this article is to choose strategy for the development of a selected commune (Rzekuń commune near Ostrołęka) using the multi-criteria decision analysis. These criteria are well known worldwide, but still underestimated in Poland. Rzekuń Community Development Strategy for the 2007–2011 period has already been completed. This means that the new strategy is highly recommended and should be developed as soon as possible. The objects of analysis are four variants ofstrategy which were considered in the twelve criteria’s (economic, social and environmental). Subsequently, the PROMETHEE method, which is one of the most popular MCDA methods, was used to evaluate and rank the variants. As a result of analyses, the variant of the development strategy has been selected, which assumes a transformation of the commune into a settlement-service character.

Load balancing, Cost and Response Time Minimization Issues in Agent Based Multi Cloud Service Composition

In multi cloud environments, we need to find services from multiple clouds, if a single cloud cannot give us all the required component services. In such a situation, however, it is challenging to find an appropriate composition sequence by taking into consideration load balancing between the different clouds and in the same time by minimising the composite service cost and response time. In this paper, an agent-based cloud service composition architecture is presented. It includes two main agents CSCA and CMA which use MCDA methods to support cloud services selection. These agents use load balancing mechanisms and the CNP in order to evolve and adapt cloud service composition. We have performed a comprehensive analytical and experimental study to evaluate the effectiveness of our approach. The experimental results, based on CloudSim simulator, show that the proposed architecture can effectively achieve good performance (load balancing), improve the response time and minimise cost.

An Analysis of the Decisive Criteria in Formwork Selection Problem

Abstract The present paper concerns a problem of decisive criteria and their order in formwork selection problem. As the factors affecting the choice of exact form work system have been often discussed in literature, their importance has not been distinctly formulated yet, what hampers aiding formwork selection with MCDA methods that require criteria weights (eg.: SAW, TOPSIS etc.). Therefore, author ran a survey - the decisive criteria were recognized and verified within polls send to various contractors. An analysis of survey results including criteria ordering is a subject of the present elaboration.

Application of TOPSIS Method in Formwork Selection Problem

Formwork selection problem has been discussed since early 90’s until now by various researchers all over the world. Numerous methods have been applied to solve this problem, but not TOPSIS method, which is a technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution. The paper briefly describes the algorithm of TOPSIS and its advantages over other MCDA methods. An appropriate example presents how to aid formwork selection using TOPSIS. The decisive criteria, their importance weights and formwork systems’ assessment, which are mandatory to solve the problem within the method, were obtained from a structured survey carried out among concrete works’ contractors.

Risk assessment of hydropower stations through an integrated fuzzy entropy-weight multiple criteria decision making method

An integrated fuzzy entropy-weight MCDA method is proposed.It is firstly applied to risk assessment of hydraulic projects in the Xiangxi River.It avoids subjective effects on the weights.The compre...

Influence of Data Transformation on Multicriteria Evaluation Result

The main idea of quantitative multiple criteria decision-making methods (MCDM) is comprising values of a chosen set of criteria into a single cumulative criterion of evaluation. Units of measurement can be different: per cent, ranks, grades, money units, physical units, etc. Consequently, their incorporation into a single evaluation criterion is possible if values of criteria are independent of units of measurement. Such dimensionless values are obtained by normalizing the values. Criteria can be both minimizing and maximizing. Some MCDA methods imply transformation of minimizing criteria into maximizing ones. Moreover, values of criteria can me negative (profit, growth rate, etc.), but some MCDA methods can use only positive criteria. Therefore, majority of MCDA methods use both normalization and transformation of criteria with negative values. There are different formulae available. Even in the same method different transformation and normalization formulae can be used. Nevertheless, using different transformation and normalization formulae can lead to differences in results of evaluation. In this paper it is shown that different types of transformation and normalization of data applied to popular MCDA methods, such as SAW or TOPSIS may produce considerable differences in evaluation. Consequently, attention has to be paid to making a choice of the type of normalization, which reveals preferences of decision-maker. Dependence of evaluation results on the chosen type of transformation or normalization is demonstrated. A case-study is provided.

Holistic Approach to Assess the Sustainability and Utility of Refurbishment Measures

The current set of building sustainability rating tools developed for application to new building designs focus mainly on technical aspects. Sustainable building developments are usually assessed by use of building performance indicators, i.e. energy consumption, use of materials and other key features of the buildings reflecting comfort and satisfaction. Such sustainability rating tools recently applied mainly for new building designs, however there is a need to assess the sustainability of measures applied in refurbishment projects. In this case the question of economic feasibility of applied measures appears. Measures differ by sustainability rating and by demand of investment cost for their integration in building design. The paper presents the new approach that let to assess the sustainability and economic utility of refurbishment measures. The proposed approach for eco-efficiency analysis based on application of sustainability rating tools (BREEAM and LEED), cost analysis and MCDA methods. The application of proposed approach illustrated on case study that presents the eco-efficiency analysis of refurbishment measures applied in multi-family apartment blocks.

Comparing Rankings from Using TODIM and a Fuzzy Expert System

Abstract TODIM is, in its original formulation, an MCDA method developed to solve ranking problems. As an MCDA method TODIM combines the use of a multi-attribute value function as well as elements of the Outranking Approach, being founded on Prospect Theory. Recent advances in TODIM incorporate concepts from Fuzzy Sets. Although modelling multi-criteria decision problems with Fuzzy Sets has been utilized when the available data are imprecise, their use in MCDA is slightly controversial, because the data fuzzification can invalidate the outcome. Following a mixed qualitative-quantitative research strategy, our aim is to prove that for the ranking problems, TODIM can provide better solutions than Fuzzy Sets. Ranks from TODIM are linear, or strong, in a sense that it has no ties between the alternative solutions. The rank obtained with a Fuzzy Expert System can be weaker, that is, it may be a number of ties. The research strategy extends this result to ranking problems with the occurrence of crisp criteria.