Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Multi-criteria Analysis'

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited
Numerous optimization problems involve systems with multiple and often contradictory criteria. Such contradictory criteria have been an issue for marine/naval engineering design studies for many years. This problem becomes more important when one considers novel ship types with very limited or no operational record. A number of approaches have been proposed to overcome these multiple criteria design optimization problems. This Thesis follows the Parameter Space Investigation (PSI) technique to address these problems. The PSI method is implemented with a software package called MOVI (Multi-criteria Optimization and Vector Identification). Two marine/naval engineering design optimization models were investigated using the PSI technique along with the MOVI software. The first example was a bulk carrier design model which was previously studied with other optimization methods. This model, which was selected due to its relatively small dimensionality and the availability of existing studies, was utilized in order to demonstrate and validate the features of the proposed approach. A more realistic example was based on the "MIT Functional Ship Design Synthesis Model" with a greater number of parameters, criteria, and functional constraints. A series of optimization studies conducted for this model demonstrated that the proposed approach can be implemented in a naval ship design environment and can lead to a large design parameter space exploration with minimum computational effort.
Lieutenant Junior Grade, Turkish Navy

Thesis (M.S. in Mechanical Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, March 2005.
Thesis Advisor(s): Fotis Papoulias, Roman B. Statnikov. Includes bibliographical references (p. 241). Also available online.

Mixing is a key process in microfluidic systems since that samples and reagents generally need to be mixed thoroughly before chemical or biological analysis or reactions. Micromixers are designed to fulfil this critical process. In general, the development of microdevices is a competitive field that requires from researchers shorter times and lower costs in prototyping. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) helps in reducing the time from concept to device design. Intuition and experience of the designer is usually behind its application on design improvement, by analyzing some physical variables to determine the effect of design parameters and to adjust them accordingly to the pursued objectives. In this thesis, a design and optimization strategy is presented and used for the analysis and design of micromixers. The method systematically integrates CFD with an optimization strategy based on the use of Design of Experiments, Surrogate Modelling and Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm techniques. The aim is to define optimum designs that give the trade-off of the performance parameters, which in this study are the mixing index, defined on the basis of mass concentration distribution, and the pressure drop in the microchannel. Three types of micromixers have been studied and their geometric parameters have been optimized. They are the Staggered Herringbone Mixer and two novel designs, a planar micromixer with baffles in the microchannel and a 3-D T-type micromixer. A completed fabrication method was implemented as part of this thesis work and it was used to fabricate some of the micromixers. Experimental measurements and published data have been used to validate the numerical results. The outcomes of this thesis demonstrate that using advanced optimisation techniques on the basis of CFD solutions and analyses allows the design of optimum micromixers for different operation conditions, which can be set by the designer, without being necessary to use a referential design to start the method.

Community benefit schemes in the context of wind power are increasingly provisioned by developers as a means of generating local socio-economic and environmental value, fostering social relations and strengthening acceptance. Determining an appropriate and effective benefit scheme can prove challenging, given the variation of exposed stakeholders, diversity in schemes and the lack of decision making guidance. A multi-criteria decision aid framework for identifying the most appropriate scheme(s) for a hypothetical wind power project is developed. The framework is based on AHP and PROMETHEE II decision support tool, where six (6) alternative schemes are assessed using the preferences of five (5) stakeholders and their relevant criteria. The framework was applied to a fictitious development on the island of Gotland. Results from the applied example indicate that the most locally suited outcome was the ownership based models. It is anticipated that the methodological framework can help identify the scheme(s) that respond to the needs and preferences of the locality. Moreover, a decision making platform of this nature can provide practical support to developers, communities and local authorities, and contribute to a more effective and efficient development and negotiation process surrounding community benefit schemes.

In this paper multi-actor multi-criteria decision aid methodology are developed to examine the impacts of EU policies related to first generation biofuels on identified key stakeholders. The thesis focuses on the integration of relevant qualitative and quantitative criteria defined by key stakeholders into one comprehensive evaluation process, to serve as a decision support tool for decision makers. Weight allocation of the defined criteria will be assessed by using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) framework, where the multi-criteria decision-aid method PROMETHEE II is used to rank relevant policy alternatives based on the information provided. In the end, results will help the decision makers to identify the impacts of different EU policy alternatives on each stakeholder group.

This study is conducted with the aims to develop a new ranking method for multi-criteria decision making problem with conflicting criteria. Such a problem has a set of Pareto solutions, where the act of improving a value of one solution will result in depreciating some of the others. Thus, in this type of problem, there is no unique solution. However, out of many available options, the Decision Maker eventually has to choose only one solution. With this problem as the motivation, the current study develops a compromise ranking algorithm, namely a trade-off ranking method. The trade-off ranking method able to give a trade-off solution with the least compromise compared to other choices as the best solution. The properties of the algorithm are studied in the thesis on several test cases. The proposed method is compared against several multi-criteria decision making methods with ranking based on the distance measure, which are the TOPSIS, relative distance and VIKOR. The sensitivity analysis and uncertainty test are carried out to examine the methods robustness. A critical criteria analysis is also done to test for the most critical criterion in a multi-criteria problem. The decision making method is considered further in a fuzzy environment problem where the fuzzy trade-off ranking is developed and compared against existing fuzzy decision making methods.

The pearl oyster Pinctada martensii or Pinctada fucata is the oyster for produce the South China Sea Pearl, and the production of pearl oyster Pinctada martensii plays a key role for the economic and social welfare of the coastal areas. To guarantee both rich and sustainability of providing pearl oyster productions, addressing the suitable areas for aquaculture is a very important consideration in any aquaculture activities. Relatively rarely, in the case of site selection research, the researchers use GIS analysis to identify suitable sites in fishery industry in China. Therefore, I decided to help the local government to search suitable sites form the view of GIS context. This study was conducted to find the optimal sites for suspended culture of pearl oyster Pinctada martensii using GIS-based multi-criteria analysis. The original idea came from the research of Radiarta and his colleagues in 2008 in Japan. Most of the parameters in the GIS model were extracted from remote sensing data (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer and Landsat 7). Eleven thematic layers were arranged into three sub-models, namely: biophysical model, social-economic model and constraint model. The biophysical model includes sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-α concentration, suspended sediment concentration and bathymetry. The criteria in the social-economic model are distance to cities and towns and distance to piers. The constraint model was used to exclude the places from the research area where the natural conditions cannot be fulfilled for the development of pearl oyster aquaculture; it contains river mouth, tourism area, harbor, salt fields / shrimp ponds, and non-related water area. Finally those GIS sub-models were used to address the optimal sites for pearl oyster Pinctada martensii culture by using weighted linear combination evaluation. In the final result, suitability levels were arranged from 1 (least suitable) to 8 (most suitable), and about 2.4% of the total potential area had the higher levels (level 6 and 7). These areas were considered to be the places that have the most suitable conditions for pearl oyster Pinctada martensii for costal water of Yingpan.

With the rapid advancement of technologies, software is gaining its popularity in assisting our daily activities in the last decades. This circumstance causes a rising concerns about a software product with high quality which lead to a question about the justification whether a software product has high quality. Therefore, a numerous of researches and studies had spent a lot of effort in software product quality assessment in order to justify whether the software product(s) under study have satisfactory quality. One of the foremost approaches to assess software product quality is the application of the quality models. For example, quality model ISO 9126. However, the quality models do not provide an explicit way to aggregate the performance of different quality aspects nor handling the various interests raised from different perspective or stakeholders. Although many studies have been conducted to aggregate the different measures of quality attributes, they are still not capable to include the various interests raised by different software product stakeholders. Therefore, some studies have attempted to apply MCDA methods in order to aggregate the measure of quality attributes as the ultimate software product quality and handling the various quality interests. However, they do not provide any rational about their particular choice of MCDA methods. Most of them justify their choice by referring to high popularity of the selected MCDA method. Without studying the suitability of MCDA methods in the application domain of the software product, it is difficult to conclude whether the chosen MCDA methods fit in the intended software engineering discipline. Furthermore, there is no systematic approach available to help other software practitioners in selecting the MCDA method that will be suitable for their needs and constraints in software product quality assessment. This thesis aims to provide the key concepts for an effective selection of suitable MCDA method for the purpose of software product quality assessment. A foremost part of this thesis presents two systematic reviews. The first review illustrates the evaluation of the characteristics of MCDA methods. The second review identifies the major needs and constraints of the software quality assessment potential MCDA method has to consider in order to be used for assessing quality of software products. Based on the results from both systematic reviews, a selection framework named MCDA-SQA framework is formulated. This framework is intended to assist the software practitioners to systematically select and adapt appropriate MCDA method(s) in order to fulfil their quality assessment needs and the respective environmental concerns.

The thesis applies the theories of Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) with a constructive research to the environment of real estate portfolio management. The aim of the research is to create a preference model for sorting real estates. There are multiple conflicting and incommensurable criteria involved in MCDA that cause a challenging decision situation for the decision maker. The advantage of using MCDA is decision maker’s ability to learn and understand both his own and others’ values and judgments. These benefits are received by actions such as taking the decision maker’s preferences into account and concerning the decision problem explicitly by structuring and synthesizing the information. Previously, Multi Attribute theories have been successfully applied to the portfolio selection of road pavement and bridge repairing projects, for example. The research was implemented in three sections from which the first one was a theoretical review that sought to present the basics of MCDA by defining the Multi Attribute Value Theory (MAVT) process. After theoretical review followed the data collection and analysis that aimed to identify the guiding criteria for the decision making and the attributes by which the achievement of the criteria being measured. The thesis was outlined to consider only the effect of the property specific endogenous factors. The last section of the study, construction, applies the information got from the previous sections by creating a preference model for the decision making of property portfolio management. The process and value tree described in the study were constructed from the perspective of real estate owners who own properties only as an investment. As a result of the thesis, five criteria were formed by which the sorting of real estates is evaluated. The criteria were: a macro location that seeks to describe the macro environmental development, a micro location that takes a stand on how reachable the real estate is, a contract price that presented the income side of the cash flow, a repairing need that was included because it has a high effect on the outcomes, and the ability to develop which means the capability of a building to produce financial benefits with the development operations. The suggested attributes for the criteria were for macro location the new construction production of the property type in relation to the development of areal GDP, for micro location the transportation time and type from the areal center, for the contract price the average of the contract prices in relation to the area of each rental agreement, for repairing needs the repairing costs got from the long term repairing plan and for ability to develop was seen that best option to measure the achievement of it would be expert opinion. The study did not take a stand on the weights of the criteria nor the value functions of the attributes because it would require focusing on the single real estate investor whereas this thesis was desired to keep on the general level. As a whole, it was concluded that creating a universal model for sorting real estates is not possible because of the unique nature of the weights and value functions. Therefore it would be more appropriate to execute the model constructing process with the case investor. The process described in this study should, however, give readiness to create a preference model for the investors that were in the focus of this work. The preference model formed as a result of the process will propose an interest of sorting based on the endogenous property specific features. However, the model should be used only as an assistance in decision making so that the decision maker would use it to support his decisions
Diplomityö pyrkii konstruktiivisen tutkimuksen avulla soveltamaan monikriteerisiä päätösanalyysiteorioita (Multi Criteria Decision Analysis — MCDA) kiinteistöportfoliohallinnan päätöksentekoon. Teorioita sovelletaan työssä kehittämällä kiinteistöportfoliohallinnan päätöksentekoa avustava malli. MCDA on oppi metodeista ja lähestymistavoista, joissa eri vaihtoehtojen paremmuutta arvioidaan suhteessa päätöksentekijän asettamiin tavoitteisiin. Teorioiden käsittelemien päätösongelmien luonteeseen kuuluvat useat ristiriitaiset ja yhteismitattomat kriteerit, jotka tekevät päätöksenteosta erittäin haasteellista. MCDA:n tuoma arvo päätöksentekoon syntyy sen jäsennellystä ja selkeästä tavasta käsitellä päätösongelmaa, minkä johdosta päätöksentekijä tulee tietoisemmaksi itse päätösongelmasta sekä omista ja muiden sidosryhmien arvoista ja tavoitteista. Monikriteerisiä päätösanalyysiteorioita on sovellettu aiemmin esimerkiksi infrapuolella siltojen kunnossapitoprojektien valintaan. Kehitetyn matemaattisen mallin avulla pystyttiin analyyttisesti arvioimaan kunkin vaihtoehdon hyvyyttä ja poimimaan siltakannasta eniten päätöksentekijän tavoitteita vastaavat kohteet. Tutkimus toteutettiin kolmessa osiossa, joista ensimmäisessä selvitettiin MCDA:n perusteet määrittämällä kirjallisuuskatsauksen avulla päätöksentekijän preferenssejä mallintava MAVT-prosessi. Kirjallisuuskatsauksen jälkeen seurasi työn empiirinen osio, mikä pyrki haastatteluiden avulla selvittämään kiinteistöportfoliohallinnan päätöksentekoa ohjaavat kriteerit ja niiden toteutumista mittaavat attribuutit. Työ keskittyi käsittelemään vain kiinteistökohtaisten sisäsyntyisten tekijöiden vaikutusta kiinteistöportfoliohallintaan. Lopuksi empiriasta saatujen tuloksien pohjalta kuvattiin MAVT prosessi kyseessä olevassa kontekstissa ja kehitettiin esimerkkimalli kiinteistöportfoliohallinnan päätöksenteon tueksi. Esitetty malli on suunnattu yksityisille kiinteistönomistajille, jotka omistavat liike- ja toimistokiinteistöjä vain sijoitusmielessä. Tutkimuksen tuloksena saatiin viisi kiinteistöportfoliohallinnan päätöksentekoa ohjaavaa kriteeriä: makrosijainti, mikrosijainti, sopimushinta, kiinteistön korjaustarpeet ja kiinteistön kehittymiskyky. Sijainti kriteerit pyrkivät huomioimaan sekä makroympäristön kehittymisen että kiinteistön saavutettavuuden. Sopimushinta ja kiinteistön korjaustarpeet puolestaan kuvaavat kiinteistön kassavirran negatiivisen ja positiivisen puolen tärkeimpiä tekijöitä. Kiinteistön kehittymiskyvyllä tarkoitetaan kuinka paljon kehitystoimenpiteillä nähdään saatavan taloudellista hyötyä. Edelle mainittujen kriteereiden attribuuteiksi ehdotettiin makrosijainnille alueellisen BKT:n suhdetta uusiin rakennushankkeisiin, mikrosijainnille keskimääräistä matka-aikaa ja kulkuvälinevaihtoehtoja aluekeskukseen, sopimushinnalle kohteen sopimushintojen neliöillä painotettua keskiarvoa, korjaustarpeille pitkän tähtäimen suunnitelmasta saatavaa korjaustarvearviota ja kiinteistön kehittymiskyvylle asiantuntijan toteuttamaa arviota kiinteistön kehityskelpoisuudesta. Tutkimus ei ottanut kantaa kriteereiden painotukseen tai attribuuttien mittaustulosten pisteyttämiseen, koska työ haluttiin pitää yleisellä tasolla ja edellä mainitut toimenpiteet olisivat vaatineet työn rajaamista koskemaan vain yhtä kiinteistösijoittajaa. Kokonaisuudessaan nähtiin, että yleisen mallin kehittäminen kiinteistöportfoliohallintaan on mahdotonta, johtuen mallissa käytettävien painotusten ja arvofunktioiden yksilöllisestä luonteesta. Tästä johtuen preferenssimallin laadinta olisikin parempi toteuttaa käyttäen vain yhtä kiinteistönomistajaa. Tässä työssä kuvattu prosessi antaa kuitenkin työn kohteena olleille kiinteistönomistajille valmiudet luoda kvantitatiivinen malli oman päätöksenteon tueksi. Prosessin tuloksena saatava malli ehdottaa perustuen kiinteistön sisäsyntyisiin tekijöihin, miten kiinteistöt tulisi lajitella eri salkkuihin. Malli on kuitenkin tarkoitettu vain päätöksentekijän avuksi, ei päätöksentekijäksi

Includes abstract.
Includes bibliographical references.
When facilitating decisions in which some performance evaluations are uncertain, a decision must be taken about how this uncertainty is to be modelled. This involves, in part, choosing an uncertainty format {a way of representing the possible outcomes that may occur. It seems reasonable to suggest {and is an aim of the thesis to show {that the choice of how uncertain quantities are represented will exert some influence over the decision-making process and the final decision taken. Many models exist for multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) under conditions of uncertainty; perhaps the most well-known are those based on multi-attribute utility theory [MAUT, e.g. 147], which uses probability distributions to represent uncertainty. The great strength of MAUT is its axiomatic foundation, but even in its simplest form its practical implementation is formidable, and although there are several practical applications of MAUT reported in the literature [e.g. 39, 270] the number is small relative to its theoretical standing. Practical applications often use simpler decision models to aid decision making under uncertainty, based on uncertainty formats that `simplify' the full probability distributions (e.g. using expected values, variances, quantiles, etc). The aim of this thesis is to identify decision models associated with these `simplified' uncertainty formats and to evaluate the potential usefulness of these models as decision aids for problems involving uncertainty. It is hoped that doing so provides some guidance to practitioners about the types of models that may be used for uncertain decision making. The performance of simplified models is evaluated using three distinct methodological approaches {computer simulation, `laboratory' choice experiments, and real-world applications of decision analysis {in the hope of providing an integrated assessment. Chapter 3 generates a number of hypothetical decision problems by simulation, and within each problem simulates the hypothetical application of MAUT and various simplified decision models. The findings allow one to assess how the simplification of MAUT models might impact results, but do not provide any general conclusions because they are based on hypothetical decision problems and cannot evaluate practical issues like ease-of-use or the ability to generate insight that are critical to good decision aid. Chapter 4 addresses some of these limitations by reporting an experimental study consisting of choice tasks presented to numerate but unfacilitated participants. Tasks involved subjects selecting one from a set of five alternatives with uncertain attribute evaluations, with the format used to represent uncertainty and the number of objectives for the choice varied as part of the experimental design. The study is limited by the focus on descriptive rather than real prescriptive decision making, but has implications for prescriptive decision making practice in that natural tendencies are identified which may need to be overcome in the course of a prescriptive analysis.

The Subsea blowout preventer (BOP) which is latched to a subsea wellhead is one of several barriers in the well to prevent kicks and blowouts and it is the most important and critical equipment, as it becomes the last line of protection against blowout. The BOP system used in Subsea drilling operations is considered a Safety – Critical System, with a high severity consequence following its failure. Following past offshore blowout incidents such as the most recent Macondo in the Gulf of Mexico, there have been investigations, research, and improvements sought for improved understanding of the BOP system and its operation. This informs the need for a systematic re-evaluation of the Subsea BOP system to understand its associated risk and reliability and identify critical areas/aspects/components. Different risk analysis techniques were surveyed and the Failure modes effect and criticality analysis (FMECA) selected to be used to drive the study in this thesis. This is due to it being a simple proven cost effective process that can add value to the understanding of the behaviours and properties of a system, component, software, function or other. The output of the FMECA can be used to inform or support other key engineering tasks such as redesigning, enhanced qualification and testing activity or maintenance for greater inherent reliability and reduced risk potential. This thesis underscores the application of the FMECA technique to critique associated risk of the Subsea BOP system. System Functional diagrams was developed with boundaries defined, a FMECA were carried out and an initial select list of critical component failure modes identified. The limitations surrounding the confidence of the FMECA failure modes ranking outcome based on Risk priority number (RPN) is presented and potential variations in risk interpretation are discussed. The main contribution in this thesis is an innovative framework utilising Multicriteria decision making (MCDA) analysis techniques with consideration of fuzzy interval data is applied to the Subsea BOP system critical failure modes from the FMECA analysis. It utilised nine criticality assessment criteria deduced from expert consultation to obtain a more reliable ranking of failure modes. The MCDA techniques applied includes the technique for order of Preference for similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), Fuzzy TOPSIS, TOPSIS with interval data, and Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment of Evaluations (PROMETHEE). The outcome of the Multi-criteria analysis of the BOP system clearly shows failures of the Wellhead connector, LMRP hydraulic connector and Control system related failure as the Top 3 most critical failure with respect to a well control. The critical failure mode and components outcome from the analysis in this thesis is validated using failure data from industry database and a sensitivity analysis carried out. The importance of maintenance, testing and redundancy to the BOP system criticality was established by the sensitivity analysis. The potential for MCDA to be used for more specific analysis of criteria for a technology was demonstrated. Improper maintenance, inspection, testing (functional and pressure) are critical to the BOP system performance and sustenance of a high reliability level. Material selection and performance of components (seals, flanges, packers, bolts, mechanical body housings) relative to use environment and operational conditions is fundamental to avoiding failure mechanisms occurrence. Also worthy of notice is the contribution of personnel and organisations (by way of procedures to robustness and verification structure to ensure standard expected practices/rules are followed) to failures as seen in the root cause discussion. OEMs, operators and drilling contractors to periodically review operation scenarios relative to BOP system product design through the use of a Failure reporting analysis and corrective action system. This can improve design of monitoring systems, informs requirement for re-qualification of technology and/or next generation designs. Operations personnel are to correctly log in failures in these systems, and responsible Authority to ensure root cause analysis is done to uncover underlying issue initiating and driving failures.

The successful energy design of buildings requires that special attention be paid to the conceptual stage. However, it is a difficult task to find the most promising design alternatives satisfying several conflicting criteria. This thesis presents a simple multi-criteria decisions analysis method that could assist designers in green building design. Variables in the model include those alternatives that are common options when a residential building is to be constructed. The individual components that are considered are the building envelope, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, service water heating, power and lighting. The key actors, objectives and methodology of multi-criteria decisions analysis are presented and finally a case study for a residential building in Athens is performed. The criteria by which to evaluate each building component of the newly built construction were identified by the decision-makers. Subsequently, decision frameworks for the selection of roof, walls, windows, heating system, energy source for heating system, power source, lighting and service water heating system were built. The method is followed step-by-step to conclude on the optimal building components based on their score. Due to the equal scoring of the windows and an inapplicable combination of electric underfloor heating with air-to-water heat pump, the method is characterized by low accuracy. The fact that the building components have been treated individually sets the method as a basic one and indicates that a more complex one should be preferred when more trustworthy results are needed.

In several types of embedded systems the applications are deployed both as software and as hardware components. For such systems, the partitioning decision is highly important since the implementation in software or hardware heavily influences the system properties. In the industry, it is rather common practice to take deployment decisions in an early stage of the design phase and based on a limited number of aspects. Often such decisions are taken based on hardware and software designers‟ expertise and do not account the requirements of the entire system and the project and business development constraints. This approach leads to several disadvantages such as redesign, interruption, etc. In this scenario, we see the need of approaching the partitioning process from a multiple decision perspective. As a consequence, we start by presenting an analysis of the most important and popular Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods and tools. We also identify the key requirements on the partitioning process. Subsequently, we evaluate all of the MCDA methods and tools with respect to the key partitioning requirements. By using the key partitioning requirements the methods and tools that the best suits the partitioning are selected. Finally, we propose two MCDA-based partitioning processes and validate their feasibility thorough an industrial case study.

Due to the rapid growth of the wind energy market over the last decade, the future of the industry will consequently see the dismantling of many wind turbines, both due to wind turbines reaching the end of their service life and to make way for surpassing technology, leaving behind a large amount of material that must be dealt with. Furthermore, due to the advancing technology of wind turbines, there has been a decline in the number of medium sized wind turbines being manufactured. This study aims to address the problem of future waste mitigation, whilst attempting to capture the medium scale market. As such, the study has looked at the idea of transitioning towards a circular economy, in which wind turbines are not considered as waste at the end of their service life, but rather an opportunity to recapture value through remanufacturing. This was approached by identifying the driver and barriers of remanufactured products, utilising knowledge from other industries with developed remanufacturing sectors. A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) has been performed using the PROMETHEE II method with the objective of drawing a comparison of three scenarios, enveloped by a theoretical wind turbine selection project. The scenarios were created by the author and considered the implementation of a new wind turbine and remanufactured wind turbines. Upon examining the results of the multi criteria decision analysis, it was seen that the benefits of implementing remanufactured turbines were preferred by the majority of the stakeholders involved.

Sustainability is a fairly new emerging business concept for manufacturing industry and this thesis will focus on smartphone manufacturing industry. In 2015 there were 1.86 billion smartphone users and it is estimated to increase to 2.87 billion in 2020. Currently the average lifetime of a smartphone is 21 months and According to Consumer Technology Association the technical life expectancy of a smartphone is 4.7 years. The European Commission approximated that from 17–20 kg of electronic waste is produced per person per year and that smartphones are contributors for increase of electronic waste. Also the smartphone manufacturing process has an impact on the people who are involved with manufacturing and resource extraction process.  Related social problems include conflict minerals, issues in manufacturing campuses, health problems and excessive worktimes. There has been suspicion that large manufacturing companies use labour market in areas that have a high risk of poverty or lack of national authority that can protect labour rights. To investigate these emerging issues that has an impact on smartphone manufacturing sustainability, a sustainability ranking criteria for individual smartphones devices and their manufactures was developed. Furthermore, the aim of the research is to develop a ranking system using life cycle perspective and to evaluate sustainability of a smartphones upcycling, recycling, and social aspects. This aim will be accomplished by the following objectives: Develop evaluation system for smartphones using Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) to evaluate sustainability; Comparing sustainability of smartphones Fairphone 2, iPhone 7, Samsung Galaxy S7 and LG G5, using developed Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA); Conducting general sustainability- focused survey about consumer demand for sustainable and ethical electronics. The method used in this research to assess smartphone sustainability was Multi-Criteria Analysis(MCA), based on eco-design trends and three pillars of sustainability, – economic, environmental and social. Eco-design will be supported using EcoDesing Roadmap by Conrad Luttropp and Göran Brohammer. In parallel with MCA method a survey was developed to briefly assess consumer’s behaviour in terms of choosing sustainable electronics. For better understanding about the consumer value on purchase decision, a survey was made considering the technical and sustainable aspects. The results of this survey will be used as indicator. Furthermore, results from this research (Table 1 MCA evaluation results) revealed that majority of chosen smartphones where lacking sustainable products aspects. This MCA ranking system also confirm that for sustainable designed smartphone it is equally important to have well established environmental management system for overall manufacturing process and afterlife of smartphone. Continuing, after conducting deeper analysis with combined results from MCA, survey revealed that general public are willing to pay more for sustainable products, but consumers lack information about the overall manufacturers` sustainability, as well Indicating that communication between manufacturers and consumers are very weak or even one way. The conclusion of the study about Smartphone sustainability assessment using multi-criteria analysis and the consumer survey has provided better understanding about the lack of transparency and complex logistics manufacturing process of smartphone. The lack of qualitative data and transparency from the manufactures side is a major issue that creates lot of uncertainties about smartphone manufacturing process and social issues for workforce that is involved in this manufacturing process.

In the energy field, the decisions need to take into consideration several factors such as the needs of the population, the environment, suitability, capital cost, sustainability, political goals and the actors involved, with their interests and preferences. The lack of homogeneity in all the factors that must be consider makes it necessary to design a process that guides the analysis process of any type of decision-maker. Decision analysis methods have been developed to aid decision-makers identify a problem, determine the criteria to be consider and their importance, recognize the stakeholders that need to be involved and pose the different alternatives to resolve or to best address the problem. These techniques range from simple to more mathematically oriented ones, from single criterion evaluation to multiple criteria, and from purely qualitative or quantitative to mixed techniques. Within the field of decision analysis, multi-criteria techniques are better suited to aid in decision situations in the energy field as these decisions require several considerations beside economic ones. This thesis uses theories and notions of decision analysis to construct a framework to be used in any energy related decision situations by non-experts. The framework tackles common challenges faced by multi-criteria decision analysis methods, including the identification of stakeholders and decision-makers, the aggregation of various decision-makers, preferences and heterogeneous inputs, and the selection of suitable criteria, alternatives and methods.

ABSTRACT A DEA-BASED APPROACH TO RANKING MULTI-CRITERIA ALTERNATIVES Tuncer, Ceren M.Sc., Department of Industrial Engineering Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Murat Kö
ksalan August 2006, 88 pages This thesis addresses the problem of ranking multi-criteria alternatives. A Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA)-based approach, the Method of the Area of the Efficiency Score Graph (AES) is proposed. Rather than assessing the alternatives with respect to the fixed original alternative set as done in the existing DEA-based ranking methods, AES considers the change in the efficiency scores of the alternatives while reducing the size of the alternative set. Producing a final score for each alternative that accounts for the progress of its efficiency score, AES favors alternatives that manage to improve quickly and maintain high levels of efficiency. The preferences of the Decision Maker (DM) are incorporated into the analysis in the form of weight restrictions. The utilization of the AES scores of the alternatives in an incremental clustering algorithm is also proposed. The AES Method is applied to rank MBA programs worldwide, sorting of the programs is also performed using their AES scores. Results are compared to another DEA-based ranking method. Keywords: Ranking, data envelopment analysis, weight restrictions.

This research provides a comprehensive set of methods for the capacity assessment of multi-modal transportation systems, which are easy to apply and can significantly reduce the time to perform a capacity analysis. This thesis developed multi-objective mathematical models that can evaluate the effect of parametric and structural changes and can assist planners to update and reconfigure multi-modal transportation systems considering the trade-off in different aspects of cost, time and functionality. The methods proposed in this thesis can help planners and decision-makers to identify the performance and capability of multiple modes of an integrated transportation system.

In the present study a methodology and a spreadsheet model were developed with the aim of integrating techno-economic and environmental objectives simultaneously during decision making. The model was developed specifically for the copper industry, mainly due to the wide array of different processing technologies and operational synergies that exist in this industry.

This thesis investigated the optimal land suitability for irrigated crop production of barley and wheat in Benghazi region of Libya using multi-criteria analysis (MCA) of fuzzy logic and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). In the MCA, fourteen land suitability factors including twelve soil characteristics, topography and erosion hazard were evaluated. Local experts used their experience and assigned different weights based on crop requirements through pairwise comparison matrix. The combination of these methods was aimed at developing existing land evaluation model in the study area that was based on Boolean logic. Three models were developed based on Food and Agriculture Organization Framework: Model 1 was based on existing land evaluation model of Boolean and equal weights; Model 2 was based on Boolean but with difference in weights assigned using AHP; and Model 3 was based on Fuzzy and AHP. The results of these models were compared using crosstab classification (Kappa statistic and overall agreement). On comparison, Model 2 and Model 3 demonstrated higher agreement in spatial distribution of land suitability class than Model 1 for both barley and wheat crops. However, Model 3 is more realistic than the other two models when tested by linear regression. This implies that the application of fuzzy logic and AHP in MCA produces areas that are most suitable for barley and wheat production than would other methods. In practice, however, land management practices by farmers may lead to different yield in the selected suitable area. This thesis makes original contributions in the field of identifying the most suitable land evaluation model for application to crop production improvements. Furthermore, the results of this research will be useful to the Libyan authorities in planning for the optimisation of available land-use for strategic production of barley and wheat crops. This is pertinent to issues of food security. The approaches are transferable to other regions of the world which face similar challenges in domestic food production.

This article seeks to enhance multi criteria decision making by providing a scientic approach for decomposing and structuring decision problems. We propose a process, based on concept mapping, which integrates group creativity techniques, card sorting procedures, quantitative data analysis and algorithmic automatization to construct meaningful and complete hierarchies of criteria. The algorithmic aspect is covered by a newly proposed recursive cluster algorithm, which automatically generates hierarchies from card sorting data. Based on comparison with another basic algorithm and empirical engineered and real-case test data, we validate that our process efficiently produces reasonable hierarchies of descriptive elements like goal- or problem-criteria. (authors' abstract)

Planning is what sustains an energy system. It is a process of analysis and ongoing decision making about what resources and energy technologies to use when supplying energy to society. This research focuses on integrated energy systems, i.e. systems that are comprised of several energy carriers – electricity, gas, hot water - and energy distribution networks. The planning of these kinds of systems is a complex process, influenced by many factors, among which the most important are the availability of energy resources and the competition between different energy carriers in satisfying energy demand. During the last 10-20 years significant changes have taken place on the world energy scene, which have important implications for energy planning. Two main factors have triggered these changes. The first factor is the immediate need to address environmental changes or more generally, to take measures that are sustainable in the long run. Sustainability can be defined in many ways and in relation to different issues such as economic and ecologic development, reduction of greenhouse gases, responsible use of natural resources, social equity, etc. In recent years, an increased awareness of these issues has been observed at all levels of the society. The second factor is the deregulation of national energy sectors in more than 50 countries. This process brought changes in the ownership of different parts of the formerly integrated energy systems. New business opportunities were created in power generation, wholesale power/gas trading and energy retailing, while the energy infrastructures remained state owned or/and under regulatory control. The newly created energy markets (many of them international) have attracted both new players (power, oil and gas companies and financial institutions) together with the old ones (integrated utilities). In parallel with this vertical separation of national energy sectors, recent studies have shown a tendency for horizontal integration at the regional/company level. For instance, in order to reduce their overall business risk, companies prefer to participate in several segments of the energy value chain (in both regulated and non-regulated activities), and often across more than one fuel commodity, such as gas and electricity or district heating. In this context, the competition between different energy carriers in satisfying the end-use energy demand became obvious in economic as well as in technological and environmental terms. Traditionally, in integrated planning, this competition did not play a big role, since the same state entity made decisions at both national and regional levels. However, in the post-deregulation era it is no longer obvious who the planner is. In many cases, planning decision at local levels involve at least three main interest groups: energy companies (and/or other investors), the state and the local community. This thesis is motivated by the need to help planners to cope with the changes in concepts and values concerning the planning of local energy supply systems. This thesis has two aims. The first aim is to improve the understanding of what planning of local systems implies and how such a process can be structured. The second aim is to contribute to the development of decision support methodologies and tools that can cope with the needs in planning. For this purpose, the use of energy modelling and Multi- Criteria Decision Analysis has been studied.

Doutoramento em Engenharia Florestal e dos Recursos Naturais - Instituto Superior de Agronomia. Universidade de Lisboa
This work focuses on innovating forest ecosystem management planning and on enhancing its contribution to the provision of ecosystem services. A web-based forest decision support system was developed to support public and private forest managers, involving operational research methods. First, all work related to database management and the integration of data was carried out. Databases were created with PostgreSQL, which on the one hand facilitated the development of multi-criteria linear programs, and on the other met all the data and information needs of a forest decision support system, not only for data processing and information presentation, but also as a source to be consulted and analyzed by forest decision makers. The wSADfLOR, a forest web-based decision support system, integrates one analytic tool to visualize interactive decision maps showing the decision space and trade-offs among the criteria in Pareto frontiers, according to forest users’ management options. Taking advantage of constant improvements in the Interactive Decision Maps tool in wSADfLOR, a second article was developed regarding a web-based approach to show interactive decision maps with Pareto frontiers. Based on these interactive decision maps and jointly with some decision support systems available in the EMDS platform (Criterion DecisionPlus and NetWeaver), a hybrid decision methodology for cases in which there is no consensus among the solutions chosen by different (groups of) forest decision makers was developed, enabling them to choose a unique strategic decision plan
N/A

Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies and remote sensing (RS) technologies have developed rapidly in recent years, and they have been widely used indaily life of ordinary people. The combination of these two remarkable technologies isuseful for location decision making and has been applied in different kinds of study cases.Guangyuan is one of the fastest developing cities in the southwest of China. Especiallyafter the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008, the development in economic and urbanreconstruction increased rapidly. Many infrastructure constructions and the reformprojects are in progress. At the same time, China's urban sewage treatment facilities areseriously inadequate. Only a small percentage of sewage has been treated by sewagetreatment plants in China. So the purpose of this study is to select an optimal site for asewage treatment plant in Guangyuan in a scientific way.In this particular study, based on GIS software and GIS-based multi-criteria analysis(MCA), a decision making model has been built for optimal site selection for a sewagetreatment plant. Two types of data were used in this study. Digital elevation model andsatellite image, several factor maps and constraint maps were created for the final analysis.The analytic hierarchy process was used to apply the weights for each factor along withformula method, in order to get the best result and find the optimal site. Finally, a MCAmodel has been made to be an example for future similar studies.In the end, an optimal site has been selected. Although aims are achieved in this study,there are still some limitations in different perspectives of the study. In the future, moreprecise data can be used in MCA studies, data limitations could be reduced with thedevelopment of RS techniques. In the future, more similar studies will be finished, whichmeans more scientific papers can provide reliable references of determining the criteriaand weights.

There are several current challenges to the competitiveness of the Norwegian maritime sector. The short sea shipping industry is facing tougher requirements on the environmental performance of vessel technologies, mainly from the quality and type of fuels utilized. Other challenges are high production costs and increasing global competition. For Norwegian ship owners, an additional challenge is the increase in road cargo transportation. A technology shift in the maritime sector may be necessary to meet these challenges. In this thesis, we argue that in order to make this shift happen, better decision support tools (DST) must be implemented.In this thesis, a Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) model has been made for the Norwegian maritime sector. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) has been applied to a case study at a Norwegian ship owner, based on a vessel investment at Egil Ulvan Rederi AS. In this study, marine diesel oil (MDO) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) have been identified as alternatives. To obtain the most preferred alternative, the ship owner’s preferences for the following criteria were identified; air emissions, cost, technical performance and risk. The results shows that LNG was the most preferred alternative. This thesis proposes a systematic approach combining MCDA and Systems Engineering (SE). The results indicate the importance of including environment as a parameter in maritime decision-making, and may be especially important in areas subject to strict regulations on ship exhausts. It also indicates that MCDA, and AHP, can be used to aid decision makers in structuring their priorities in a decision-making context.

Background and Motivation

Unlike what is common in Europe and the rest of the world, Norway has traditionally met most of its stationary energy demand (including heating) with electricity, because of abundant access to hydropower. However, after the deregulation of the Norwegian electricity market in the 1990s, the increase in the electricity generation capacity has been less than the load demand increase. This is due to the relatively low electricity prices during the period, together with the fact that Norway’s energy companies no longer have any obligations to meet the load growth. The country’s generation capacity is currently not sufficient to meet demand, and accordingly, Norway is now a net importer of electricity, even in normal hydrological years. The situation has led to an increased focus on alternative energy solutions.

It has been common that different energy infrastructures – such as electricity, district heating and natural gas networks – have been planned and commissioned by independent companies. However, such an organization of the planning means that synergistic effects of a combined energy system to a large extent are neglected. During the last decades, several traditional electricity companies have started to offer alternative energy carriers to their customers. This has led to a need for a more comprehensive and sophisticated energy-planning process, where the various energy infrastructures are planned in a coordinated way. The use of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) appears to be suited for coordinated planning of energy systems with multiple energy carriers. MCDA is a generic term for different methods that help people make decisions according to their preferences in situations characterized by multiple conflicting criteria.

The thesis focuses on two important stages of a multi-criteria planning task:

- The initial structuring and modelling phase

- The decision-making phase

The Initial Structuring and Modelling Phase

It is important to spend sufficient time and resources on the problem definition and structuring, so that all disagreements among the decision-maker(s) (DM(s)) and the analyst regarding the nature of the problem and the desired goals are eliminated. After the problem has been properly identified, the next step of a multi-criteria energy-planning process is the building of an energy system model (impact model). The model is used to calculate the operational attributes necessary for the multi-criteria analysis; in other words, to determine the various alternatives’ performance values for some or all of the criteria being considered. It is important that the model accounts for both the physical characteristics of the energy system components and the complex relationships between the system parameters. However, it is not propitious to choose/build an energy system model with a greater level of detail than needed to achieve the aims of the planning project.

In my PhD research, I have chosen to use the eTransport model as the energy system model. This model is especially designed for planning of local and regional energy systems, where different energy carriers and technologies are considered simultaneously. However, eTransport can currently provide information only about costs and emissions directly connected to the energy system’s operation. Details about the investment plans’ performance on the remaining criteria must be found from other information sources. Guidelines should be identified regarding the extent to which different aspects should be accounted for, and on the ways these impacts can be assessed for each investment plan under consideration. However, it is important to realize that there is not one solution for how to do this that is valid for all kind of local energy-planning problems. It is therefore necessary for the DM(s) and the analyst to discuss these issues before entering the decision-making phase.

The Decision-Making Phase

Two case studies have been undertaken to examine to what extent the use of MCDA is suitable for local energy-planning purposes. In the two case studies, two of the most well-known MCDA methods, the Multi-Attribute Utility Theory (MAUT) and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), have been tested. Other MCDA methods, such as GP or the outranking methods, could also have been applied. However, I chose to focus on value measurement methods as AHP and MAUT, and have not tested other methods. Accordingly, my research cannot determine if value measurement methods are better suited for energy-planning purposes than GP or outranking methods are.

Although all MCDA methods are constructed to help DMs explore their ‘true values’ – which theoretically should be the same regardless of the method used to elicit them – our experiments showed that different MCDA methods do not necessarily provide the same results. Some of the differences are caused by the two methods’ different ways of asking questions, as well as the DMs’ inability to express clearly their value judgements by using one or both the methods. In particular, the MAUT preference-elicitation procedure was difficult to understand and accept for DMs without previous experience with the utility concept. An additional explanation of the differences is that the external uncertainties included in the problem formulation are better accounted for in MAUT than in AHP. There are also a number of essential weaknesses in the theoretical foundation of the AHP method that may have influenced the results using that method. However, the AHP method seems to be preferred by DMs, because the method is straightforward and easier to use and understand than the relatively complex MAUT method.

It was found that the post-interview process is essential for a good decision outcome. For example, the results from the preference aggregation may indicate that according to the DM’s preferences, a modification of one of the alternatives might be propitious. In such cases, it is important to realize that MCDA is an iterative process. The post-interview process also includes presentation and discussion of results with the DMs. Our experiments showed that the DMs might discover inconsistencies in the results; that the results do not reflect the DM’s actual preferences for some reason; or that the results simply do not feel right. In these cases, it is again essential to return to an earlier phase of the MCDA process and conduct a new analysis where these problems or discrepancies are taken into account.

The results from an MAUT analysis are usually presented to the DMs in the form of expected total utilities given on a scale from zero to one. Expected utilities are convenient for ranking and evaluation of alternatives. However, they do not have any direct physical meaning, which quite obviously is a disadvantage from an application point of view. In order to improve the understanding of the differences between the alternatives, the Equivalent Attribute Technique (EAT) can be applied. EAT was tested in the first of the two case studies. In this case study, the cost criterion was considered important by the DMs, and the utility differences were therefore converted to equivalent cost differences. In the second case study, the preference elicitation interviews showed, quite surprisingly, that cost was not considered among the most important criteria by the DMs, and none of the other attributes were suitable to be used as the equivalent attribute. Therefore, in this case study, the use of EAT could not help the DMs interpreting the differences between the alternatives.

Summarizing

For MCDA to be really useful for actual local energy planning, it is necessary to find/design an MCDA method which: (1) is easy to use and has a transparent logic; (2) presents results in a way easily understandable for the DM; (3) is able to elicit and aggregate the DMs' real preferences; and (4) can handle external uncertainties in a consistent way.

Current global demands for energy resources along with continuous global population growth have placed natural environments and societies under great stress to fulfill such a need without disrupting economic and social structures. Policy and decision-making processes hold some of the most important keys to allow safe paths for societies towards energy security and safeguard of the environment. Brazil has played a lead role within renewable energy production and use during the last decades, becoming one of the world’s leading producer of sugarcane based ethanol and adapting policies to support renewable energy generation and use. Although it is true that Brazil has historic experience with managing development of renewables and its further integration into the consumer market, there is still a lot to do to impulse new technologies that could further reduce emissions, increase economic stability and social welfare. Throughout this thesis project a sustainability assessment of hydrogen production technologies in Brazil is conducted through Multi-Criteria Analysis. After defining an initial framework for decision-making, options for hydrogen production were reviewed and selected. Options were evaluated and weighted against selected sustainability indicators that fitted the established framework within a weighting matrix. An overall score was obtained after the assessment, which ranked hydrogen production techniques based on renewable energy sources in first place. Final scoring of options was analyzed and concluded that several approaches could be taken in interpreting results and their further integration into policy making. Concluding that selection of the right approach is dependent on the time scale targeted for implementation amongst other multi-disciplinary factors, the use of MCA as an evaluation tool along with overarching sustainability indicators can aid in narrowing uncertainties and providing a clear understanding of the variables surrounding the problem at hand.

Thesis (MEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this project is to find a means to evaluate a number of machines to optimise a process chain. Firstly seven machine types were identified to be included in the study. These machine types include: broach machines, EDM machines, GNG lathes, engine lathes, drilling machines, milling machines and grinders. The information requirements for these machines in terms of attributes for three areas were identified. Functionality, economical and reliability and availability attributes were identified. These attributes were subsequently incorporated into a MS-Access database to provide a database of machine information. Several methods for comparing machines were studied and the decision then fell on one existing method to be used for machine evaluation. A new method was developed to use for evaluating machines. The existing method is the Analytic Hierarchy Process, whereas the new method developed, is called the Quotient Exponential Method. These methods were implemented in the MS-Access database to enable the user to evaluate machines by means of both methods. The results indicate that these methods provide the correct answers according to test values used. It should be noted that the decision methods should, however, only serve as an aid towards an answer and do not necessarily provide the final answer. The AHP process is very time-consuming for this project because of the large number of criteria evaluated.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie projek is om "n manier te vind om masjiene te evalueer om sodoende "n proses-ketting te optimeer. Eerstens is besluit op die soorte masjiene wat ingesluit gaan word in die projek. Sewe soorte masjiene is gekies en sluit in: RNB draaibanke, masjiendraaibanke, boormasjiene, skuurders, elektriese ontladings masjiene, veelvuldige punt snymasjiene en rubeitelmasj iene. Die inligting-vereistes van die sewe masjiene, in terme van hul attribute vir drie areas, is vervolgens geïdentifiseer. Hierdie drie areas is funksionaliteit, koste, asook beskikbaarheid en betroubaarheid. Hierdie attribute word in "n MS-Access databasis gebruik om "n databasis van masjien-inligting te skep. Verskeie metodes vir die vergelyking en evaluasie van masjiene is bestudeer en daar is op een bestaande metode besluit vir die evaluering van "n aantal masjiene. Daarbenewens is ook "n nuwe metode ontwikkel vir die evaluering van masjiene. Die bestaande metode is die Analitiese Hiërargiese Proses, terwyl die nuwe metode die Kwosiënt Eksponensiële Metode genoem word. Altwee hierdie metodes is in MS-Access geïmplemeteer om die gebruiker in staat te stelom masjiene met albei metodes te vergelyk. Die resultate verkry toon aan dat die korrekte resultaat verkry word volgens die toetsdata wat ingevoer is ten opsigte van die twee metodes. Dit moet in gedagte gehou word dat hierdie metodes egter slegs as "n hulpmiddel tot besluitneming gebruik behoort te word en nie noodwendig die finale antwoord lewer nie. AHP is baie tydsaam gevind, aangesien die masjiene in die projek baie attribute bevat het.

Choosing suitable enterprise level systems is an important and complicated decision in any domain. The difficulty in selecting suitable Learning Management Systems (LMSs) is compounded by the sheer number of available products from which to choose. The decision process is further complicated by the large number of features and functions contained in these products and the heterogeneous groups of intended audiences (faculty, staff, and students) that will be using these features. The problem addressed by this researcher is the lack of a multi-criteria decision analysis framework for selecting Learning Management Systems (LMSs). Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) provides decision makers with a set of theories, methodologies and techniques that can provide structure and manageability to complex decisions. In developing and testing the MCDA framework for selecting suitable LMSs, a number of steps were taken. First, a set of criteria that could be used in the evaluation of these systems was identified. A panel of experts reviewed the criteria set to ensure that it was essentially complete, and yet small enough to be manageable by an evaluation committee. In addition, the panel reviewed the criteria for scoring independence, operability, and non-redundancy. Then, the criteria set was incorporated into a step-by step model of a multi-criteria decision analysis framework for selecting suitable LMSs. In addition to the master set of criteria, the framework provided techniques for weighting criteria and aggregating scores, as well as an Excel spreadsheet tool for managing this information. A university LMS selection committee then successfully implemented this MCDA framework to evaluate three systems for possible use. As a result, the committee found that the system that was selected through this process satisfactorily represented their preferences with regards to selecting a suitable LMS for their unique environment.

New technological advancements such as the “Hyperloop” touted as “the fifth mode of transport” could be an answer to the problems ailing the current transport industry. Hyperloop consists of transport pods running through low pressure tubes for the high speed(upto 1000 km/hr) transportation of goods and people. This technology came into prominence after the open design concept “Hyperloop Alpha” was published by Musk (2013) and since then several governments, academia and private firms have shown interest in the technology with a few test tracks being built in the U.S and Europe. The first Hyperloop human passenger tests at 48m/s (173kmph) inside the vacuum tube were successfully carried out by Virgin Hyperloop at Las Vegas, U.S.A in November 2020 (Mlot, S., 2020). Hardt in collaboration with the Province of North Holland had published a concept study on the impact of 5 proposed Hyperloop routes in Northern Holland (Prov. N-Holland & Hardt, 2020). This research project explores the proposed Hyperloop transport solution in North Holland and its neighbouring areas from a social, socio-economic and environmental perspective as a comparison with existing rail and aviation transport alternatives. A Multi-Criteria Analysis of one of the proposed Hyperloop transport project routes was conducted as a comparison with existing rail and aviation transport alternatives. Results showed that Hyperloop was the highest ranked transport alternative overall in this study, closely followed by Rail, and Aviation was ranked last. Within the social criteria, Hyperloop was ranked best whereas within socio-economic and environmental criteria, Rail was ranked as the best alternative. This MCA could be useful as an aid to decision makers such as regional and national governments, transport policymakers or investors for any similar Hyperloop transport projects within Europe.
Nya tekniska framsteg som ”Hyperloop” som ”femte transportsättet” kan vara ett svar på de problem som drabbar den nuvarande transportbranschen. Hyperloop består av transportbälgen som går genom lågtrycksrör för transport av gods och människor med hög hastighet (upp till 1000 km / tim). Denna teknik kom till framträdande efter att det öppna designkonceptet ”Hyperloop Alpha” publicerades av Musk (2013) och sedan dess har flera regeringar, den akademiska världen och privata företag visat intresse för tekniken med några testspår som byggs i USA och Europa. De första Hyperloop-testningarna för mänskliga passagerare vid 48m / s (173kmph) inuti vakuumröret utfördes framgångsrikt av Virgin Hyperloop i Las Vegas, USA i november 2020 (Mlot, S., 2020). Hardt i samarbete med provinsen Nordholland hade publicerat en konceptstudie om effekterna av 5 föreslagna Hyperloop-rutter i norra Holland (Prov. N-Holland & Hardt, 2020). Detta forskningsprojekt utforskar den föreslagna Hyperloop-transportlösningen i Nordholland och dess närliggande områden ur ett socialt, socioekonomiskt och miljömässigt perspektiv som en jämförelse med befintliga tåg- och flygtransportalternativ. En multikriterieanalys av en av de föreslagna vägarna för Hyperloop-transportprojekt genomfördes som en jämförelse med befintliga järnvägs- och flygalternativ. Resultaten visade att Hyperloop var det högst rankade transportalternativet totalt sett i denna studie, tätt följt av Rail, och Aviation rankades sist. Inom de sociala kriterierna rankades Hyperloop bäst medan inom socioekonomiska och miljömässiga kriterier rankades Rail som det bästa alternativet. Denna MCA kan vara användbar som ett hjälpmedel för beslutsfattare som regionala och nationella regeringar, transportpolitiker eller investerare för liknande Hyperloop-transportprojekt inom Europa.

Estimating and bidding a job is one of those essential processes at the heart of a contractor's business. Risk and uncertainty are major considerations in bidding decisions for construction projects. Numerous factors need to be taken into account when making bidding decisions which make them multi-criteria decisions. The present study focuses on developing multi-criteria decision making models to assist in bidding decisions. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), which is a multi-criteria decision making tool, is used to quantify risk encountered in bidding decisions. The AHP has been employed to model both the bid/no bid and mark-up decisions. The data required for this study was collected from thirty firms operating in Gaza Strip by way of a written structured questionnaire. The data was analysed using the Criterium Decision Plus Software based on the AHP. Ten factors were selected to affect bid/no bid decisions while eleven factors were chosen to influence mark-up decision. Results from the questionnaire survey supported previous studies that profit is not the most important factor in making bid/no bid and mark-up decisions. The results also indicate that the most important factors when making the bid/no bid decision are: the 'need for work' followed by the 'company strength in industry' and 'payment methods'. For the mark-up decision, the 'need for work', 'owner/client and consultant identity' and 'project size' are the most important factors. A real life case study was used to demonstrate the application of the two models. Twelve meetings were conducted with a contractor working in Gaza Strip construction industry in order to gather the required data for the validation. The case study consisted of three different projects, road works, electromechanical and building projects, and the contractor had to make a decision on which projects to bid for and then which of them will result in a higher mark-up. The validity of the two models was confirmed by applying a two-stage Linear Programming (LP) approach to the data obtained from the case study. The results from the LP approach agreed with the outcome from the AHP. The developed AHP models can be easily used by the contractors to assist in making bid/no bid and mark-up decisions. This study investigates the Fuzzy Sets Theory, which is a mathematical approach used to characterise and quantify uncertainty, as a bidding strategy. This study summarises the work that has been done to-date reviewing the fundamental concepts and applications of the Fuzzy Sets Theory in construction. Fuzzy Sets Theory was found to be used widely in construction research but most studies were found theoretical. The research also examines the challenges of using the reverse auction as an open bidding process. In construction industry, reverse auction is one such technique that uses secured Internet technology for tendering process. Advantages of on-line bidding include: the ability to submit more than one bid, time benefits, increasing competitiveness among contractors and attracting unknown bidders. The main drawback of reverse auctions is that the award of the product/service will be based on the price rather than on the quality of the product or service. Furthermore, security and legal issues need further considerations when forming e-contracts for the procurement of construction services. Selecting a suitable contractor to execute a particular project is an important decision for the client to take. Awarding construction contracts based on the price only is not always a successful strategy for contractor selection as it could result in construction delays and cost overruns. In addition to price, factors such as quality and safety need to be taken into account when making the contractor selection decision. In this study, two methods for contractor selection were compared: the points method and the Analytical Hierarchy Process. The two methods were applied to a real life case study for contractor selection. Financial and Quality factors were considered to affect the contractor selection decision. Both methods resulted in selecting the same contractor for executing the project under consderation. The Analytical Hierarchy process provides a flexible and computer based method for contractor selection decision.

Mass migration to cities has led to a a huge increase in research into urban environmentalsustainability, its assessment and methods to improve it. This thesisfocuses on the theme of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) in digitalurban planning. It addresses the question of how useful such methods wouldbe in quantitative assessment of the environmental sustainability potential ofurban areas in the planning stage. This paper discusses potential methods tobuild an environmental sustainability scoring system for urban areas, choosesthe most promising and applies it to a case study urban area. This is intendedto be a proof of concept piece on whether the application of MCDA to digitalurban planning is feasible and useful. This method is then evaluated basedon its limitations, consistency, robustness to changes in input and on the opinionsof experts in the fields of sustainability and digital urban planning. Itis found that the method proposed, a combination of the AHP and MAUTdecision analysis methods, has several advantages in creating representativesustainability scores and incorporating expert opinions, but is difficult to scaleto include many criteria and requires a high level of input. It is suggested thatfurther research in this area into more scalable MCDA methods would be beneficial,and increasing the reliability and availability of urban environmentaldata would be highly useful for this field.
Massmigration till städer har lett till en enorm ökning av forskning inom hållbarheti stadsmiljöer, dess bedömning och metoder för att förbättra det. Dennaavhandling fokuserar på temat ’multi-criteria decision analysis’ (MCDA, beslutsanalysav flera kriterier) i digital stadsplanering. Den adresserar fråganom hur användbara sådana metoder skulle vara vid kvantitativ bedömning avden miljömässiga hållbarhetspotentialen av stadsområden i planeringsstadiet.Vidare diskuteras potentiella metoder för att ta fram ett poängsystem i miljömässighållbarhet för stadsområden, där den mest lovande väljs och appliceraspå en fallstudie. Detta är meningen att fungera som en konceptvalidering överom appliceringen av MCDA till digital stadsplanering är möjligt och användbart.Metoden utvärderas sedan baserat på dess begränsningar, pålitlighet, robusthettill förändringar i input och med åsikter från experter inom områdenahållbarhet samt digital stadsplanering. Det visas att den föreslagna metoden,en kombination av AHP ochMAUT beslutsanalysmetoderna, har flera fördelarnär det kommer till att skapa representativa hållbarhetspoäng och inkorporeraexpertåsikter, men är svår att skala för att inkludera många kriterier och kräveren stor mängd input. Det föreslås att ytterligare forskning inom detta områdemed mer skalbara MCDA metoder skulle vara lönsamt, samt att öka pålitlighetenoch tillgängligheten av miljödata inom stadsområden skulle vara väldigtanvändbart för detta område.

The overall objective of this thesis is to assess the financial, technical and social feasibility of investing in modern Automated People Movers (APM) transportation systems, generally known as monorails, in METU campus which presents a unique opportunity to fulfill the modern-day transportation needs of METU campus. This study complements the Presidency Office&rsquo
s long term goal to integrate environmental, social and economic sustainability into the policies, practices and culture of the university and ultimately reduce the consumption of all resources on campus and traffic congestion and accidents. In this context, the consequent cost-benefit effects of the proposed monorail system on campus life were quantified in monetary expressions and the corresponding multi-criteria feasibility assessment including: Break-even Analysis, Cost Effectiveness Assessments and Cost Benefit Analysis have been done successfully. According to these analyses the overall capital cost of system is $46.5 million which covers the 24 months project construction period, and an additional annual operating and maintenance cost of $2 million will span the 30 year project life time. Three different scenarios were proposed for financing the project and relevant break-even points were determined for each of the scenarios. Eventually, it appears that based on the evaluations, constructing such a transit system in METU campus will be cost effective and will certainly enhance the transportation, and will contribute to the institutional improvements and environmental preservation schemes of METU campus.

The current global trend of urbanisation has resulted in many cities today with growing transportation problems. Locally, South Africa is dealing with both urbanisation and spatial inequalities as a result of the apartheid era, with the poor very often located on the outskirts of urban areas, and therefore far from centres of employment and other amenities. Active mobility in the form of walking and cycling have been suggested as a means to address urban transport challenges, as it simultaneously promotes sustainability and improves the liveability of cities. Moreover, the infrastructural requirements for active mobility are far less when compared to motorised transportation, freeing up more land and funding for the development of community amenities. Cycling is an efficient way of travelling in urban areas over short to medium distances for a variety of trip purposes, including commuting to work or school, as a feeder to public transport services, to shops, for leisure trips, or tourism. The planning of cycle routes networks is, however, challenging as traditional methods are incapable of adequately dealing with the conflicting objectives of stakeholders and multiple spatial criteria used to measure these. Moreover, the route qualities desired by cyclists are rarely included in the design of routes. Instead a pre- or post-evaluation of route alternatives against the aforementioned route qualities is performed, which once again is not adequately addressed in the current methods given the conflicting objectives and multiple criteria noted earlier. Traditional processes are also criticised for not being open and transparent, leaving many stakeholders dissatisfied. To address these concerns, the proposed method takes advantage of the powerful set of tools for the manipulation and analysis of spatial information provided by Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and the techniques available in Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) for structuring decision problems, and designing, evaluating and prioritising alternatives. This combination, known as Spatial Multi-Criteria Analysis (SMCA), can be thought of as a process that transforms and combines geographical data and the value judgements of stakeholders to obtain information for decision making. The advantages gained from combining GIS and MCA results in the development of an effective Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS). In addition to developing and evaluating a network of cycle routes, the proposed method provides an additional means of prioritising infrastructural requirements using a metric known as Cycle Route Directness (CRD). This compares the network route distance to the Euclidean distance and where the threshold value is exceeded, it can be argued that additional cycle infrastructure is required to reduce the detour by bringing the CRD to below the threshold value. The study uses SMCA to develop a network of optimal routes, which focuses around the needs of cyclists while taking account of other stakeholder requirements, for a defined area in the metropolitan of Port Elizabeth in South Africa. The relatively flat terrain, temperate climate and proximity of poorer income areas to more affluent areas and places of employment made this an ideal area to act as a proof of concept for the proposed method. The case study showcases the method’s ability to act as a SDSS for cycle route network planning at a strategic level.

Traffic signal systems serve as one of the most powerful control tools in improving the efficiency of surface transportation travel. Traffic operations on arterial roads are particularly complex because of traffic interruptions caused by signalized intersections along the corridor. This dissertation research presents a systematic framework of integrated traffic control in an attempt to break down the complexities into several simpler sub-problems such as pattern recognition, environment-mobility relationships and multi-objective optimization for multi-criterial signal timing design. The overall goal of this dissertation is to develop signal timing plans, including a day plan schedule, cycle length parameters, splits and offsets, which are suitable for real traffic conditions with consideration of multi-criterial performance of the surface transportation system. To this end, the specific objectives are to: (1) identify appropriate time-of-day breakpoints and intervals to accommodate traffic pattern variations for day plan schedule of signal timing; (2) explore the relationship between environmental outcomes (e.g., emissions) from emission estimators and mobility measures (e.g., delay and stops) for different types of intersections; (3) optimize signal timing parameters for multi-criteria objectives (e.g., minimizing vehicular delay, number of stops, marginal costs of emissions and total costs), with the comparison of performance metrics for different objectives, at the intersection level; (4) optimize arterial offsets for different objectives at the arterial level and compare the performance metrics of different objectives to recommend suitable objectives for integrated multi-criteria signal timing design in arterial traffic operations. An extensive review of the literature, which covers existing tools, traffic patterns, traffic control with environmental concerns, and related optimization methods, shows that both opportunities and challenges have emerged for multi-criteria traffic signal timing design. These opportunities include large quantities of traffic condition data collected by system detectors or non-intrusive data collection platforms as well as powerful tools for microscopic traffic modeling and instantaneous emission estimation. The challenge is how to effectively deal with these big data, either from field collection or detailed simulation, and provide useful information for decision makers in practice. Methodologically, there's a tradeoff between the accuracy of objective function values and the computational efficiency of simulation and optimization. To address this need, in this dissertation, traffic signal timing design that systematically enables the use of integrated data and models are investigated and analyzed in the four steps/studies. The technology of identifying time-of-day breakpoints in the first study shows a mathematical way to classify dynamic traffic patterns by understanding dynamic traffic features and instabilities at a macroscopic level on arterials. Given the limitations of using built-in emissions modules within current traffic simulation and signal optimization tools, the metamodeling-based approach presented in the second study makes a methodological contribution. The findings of the second study on environment-mobility relationships set up the base for extensive application of two-stage optimization in the third and fourth studies for sustainable traffic operations and management. The comparison of outputs from an advanced estimator with those from the current tool also addresses improving the emissions module for more accurate analysis (e.g., benefit-cost analysis) in practical signal retiming projects. The third study shows that there are tradeoffs between minimizing delay and minimizing marginal costs of emissions. When total cost (including cost of delay, fuel consumption and emissions) is set as a single objective function, that objective clears the way for relatively reliable results for all the aspects. In the fourth study, the improvements in marginal cost of emissions and total cost by dynamic programming procedure are obvious, which indicates the effectiveness of using total link cost as an objective at the corridor level. In summary, this dissertation advocates a sustainable traffic control system by simultaneously considering travel time, fuel consumption and emissions. The outcomes of this integrated multi-criteria signal timing design can be easily implemented by traffic operators in their daily life of retiming signal timing.

China has the largest population and the fastest growing economy in the world. The general public's demand for health is rising promptly with the improvement of the living standard. However, the limited and unbalanced medical resource have caused the prominent problem of the society, even in the capital city of Beijing, the new hospital constructions with rational allocation is iminent and significant. Along with the technology development and Internet popularization, GIS approaches and related products has been widely used in the people's daily life. The main focus of this paper is to select a site for building a new hospital in Haidian District of Beijing using GIS-based Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA). With Analytical Hieraichy Process(AHP) and Rank Order Method (ROM) for the weight setting on factor criteria, necessity tests and sensitivity tests are applied to check which criteria are really necessary and how the results are sensitive to their weight change. The optimal site located in Wenquan Town (E: 116.182, N:40.039) is screened from several candidate sites usin Google Earth maps, which makes the ultimate result more convincing and practical. It can be concluded that GIS-based MCA with necessity and sensitivity tests proposes a novel and useful reference to other site selection decision makers, and also provides constructive tools for the public asministration to set up efficent databases for decision makers to carry out spatial analyses. To make it more maneuverable and practical, a further research on th improvement of this method will have a promising future.

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2005.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 197-205).
Interest in road pricing among political leaders, transportation analysts, academics, and government agencies has increased in recent years. There are myriad reasons for this newfound consideration, but the deployment of intelligent transportation systems, the desire for additional revenue sources, and the search for policies that can reduce congestion are among the most important. This thesis examines the impacts of six different types of road pricing strategies, namely: conventional tolling, facility congestion pricing, express lanes (e.g. HOT lanes), area- wide and cordon pricing, network pricing, and distance-based pricing. It also presents a new sketch-planning model, the Road Pricing Decision Analysis Tool (RPDAT), which highlights each strategy's unique set of strengths and weaknesses for achieving different policy objectives and recommends road pricing strategies for particular metropolitan areas. Despite a growing interest in pricing, many decision makers feel unable to estimate the impacts of pricing strategies accurately with conventional models. This thesis discusses the factors believed to be responsible for drivers' choosing to use priced facilities, explains why conventional models are incapable of capturing many of these factors or the aggregate effects of a pricing policy, and identifies some improvements that could be made to existing transportation models. RPDAT performs a multi-criteria analysis of nine road pricing strategies, one of which is a "no pricing" alternative, for a metropolitan area. The user inputs policy priorities and regional characteristics, and RPDAT's algorithms calculate how well each alternative meets the decision maker's criteria as well as index scores that reflect the overall preference for each alternative. This tool is applied to Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia and is used to recommend road pricing strategies for the KL metropolitan area.
by Jeffrey D. Ensor.
S.M.

The approach to water management worldwide is currently in transition, with a shift from centralised infrastructures to greater consideration of decentralised technologies, such as rainwater harvesting (RWH). Initiated by recognition of drivers, including water demand, increasing risk of ground-water pollution and flooding, the value of RWH is filtering across the academic-policy boundary. However, in Nigeria, implementation of sustainable water management (SWM), such as RWH systems, is inefficient social, environmental and technical barriers, concerns and knowledge gaps exist, which currently restrict its widespread utilisation. This inefficiency contributes to water scarcity, water-borne diseases, and loss of lives and property due to flooding. Meanwhile, several RWH technologies have been developed to improve SWM through both demand and storm-water management. Such technologies involve the use of storage tanks, surface water reservoirs and ground-water recharge pits as storage systems. A framework was developed to assess the significance and extent of water management problems, match the problems with existing RWH-based solutions and develop a robust ready-to-use multi-criteria analysis tool that can quantify the costs and benefits of implementing several RWH-based storage systems. The methodology adopted was the mixed method approach, involving a detailed literature review, followed by a questionnaire survey of 1067 household respondents, 135 Nigerian Architects and Civil Engineers and focus group discussion with Stakeholders. A total of 1042 sets of data were collected through a questionnaire survey and analysed using SPSS, Excel and selected statistical methods to derive weightings of the attributes for the tool. Following this, three case studies were selected to collect data for hydrological modelling using the RainCycle model. From the results it is found that the most important barrier constraining sustainable RWH regime in Ibadan was obsolete and insufficient operational equipment, followed by poor renumeration of water corporation staff and misuse of available funds. In addition, the measure of importance of storage capacity was established, with the highest score of 4.5 which reflects the general inadequacy of storage as a major barrier to the adoption of RWH as a sustainable water management method. Further, respondents’ major health hazards associated with drinking contaminated water was established. A larger proportion (61.2%) of respondents chose prevalence of typhoid fever; some have a prevalence of diarrhea (19.4%), while few of respondents’ water sources is free from water-borne diseases (2.3%). The tool developed is an integrated platform of related evaluation techniques, including Whole Life Cycle Cost Analysis and Multi-Attribute Utility Theory. The tool uses data including cost and quantities of materials for building a RWH storage system and quantifies the cost and benefits of alternative RWH-based systems that can improve project management. This tool is novel, given its integration of the analytical techniques mentioned above and application for selecting the most appropriate RWH-based SWM systems. The implementation of the tool is envisaged to provide an objective platform for the quantification of the costs and benefits of RWH-based systems prior to implementation.

Techniques for managing trade-offs between tumour control and normal tissue sparing in radiotherapy treatment planning are reviewed and developed. Firstly, a quality control method based on data envelopment analysis is proposed. The method measures the improvement potential of a plan by comparing the plan to other reference plans. The method considers multiple criteria, including one that represents anatomical variations between patients. An application to prostate cases demonstrates the capability of the method in identifying plans with further improvement potential. A multi-criteria based planning technique that considers treatment delivery is then proposed. The method integrates column generation in the revised normal boundary intersection method, which projects a set of equidistant reference points onto the non-dominated set to form a representative set of non-dominated points. The delivery constraints are considered in the column generation process. Essentially, the method generates a set of deliverable plans featuring a range of treatment trade-offs. Demonstrated by a prostate case, the method generates near-optimal plans that can be delivered with dramatically lower total fluence than the optimal ones post-processed for treatment delivery constraints. Finally, a navigation method based on solving interactive multi-objective optimisation for a discrete set of plans is developed. The method sets the aspiration values for criteria as soft constraints, thus allowing the planner to freely express his/her preferences without causing infeasibility. Navigation is conducted on planner-defined clinical criteria, including the non-convex dose-volume criteria and treatment delivery time. Navigation steps on a prostate case are demonstrated with a prototype implementation. The prostate case shows that optimisation criteria may not correctly reflect plan quality and can mislead a planner to select a “sub-optimal” plan. Instead, using clinical criteria provides the most relevant measure of plan quality, hence allowing the planner to quickly identify the most preferable plan from a representative set.

Biochar, the solid product of thermal conversion of biomass with little or no available air, is acknowledged as a carbon dioxide removal technique and soil enhancer among other applications. Its potential soil enhancing properties consists of increased water and nutrient holding capacities, liming effects and sorption of pollutants. However, not all soils benefit equally from biochar amendments. The thesis aims to investigate the suitability of biochar applications to agricultural soils in Sweden and communicate the results visually with a biochar indication map, illustrating where biochar could serve the highest benefits as a soil improver. A literature review was carried out to analyse the soil enhancing opportunities of biochar applications, which determined that the criteria soil texture, nitrogen leaching, ground moisture, soil pH and soil organic matter (SOM) were suitable for the analysis in a Swedish context. Then, a multi-criteria analysis was conducted in ArcGIS, based on spatial data of these criteria. Each arable land block was assigned a biochar class, varying from high indication to no indication. Arable land was considered highly recommended for biochar applications if the soil texture was sandy and at least one of the soil criteria was beyond a limiting agronomic threshold. At the national level, high indication for biochar application occupied 24.2% (528 thousand ha) of the arable land in Sweden, while the remaining land had either medium indication (13%), low indication (3.5%) or no indication (59.3%). Despite spatial variations, all Swedish counties (with data coverage above 84%) had at least 2% of high indication arable land. In particular, 66.1% of Halland’s arable land showed high indication. In turn, Skåne had the largest area (148 thousand ha, 35.7%) with high indication for biochar applications. The corresponding biochar volume potential, at the national level, suggested that between 0.5 and 26.4 million tonnes biochar can be applied to arable land with high indication for biochar applications, given application rates between 1 and 50 tonnes/ha over a 20 year timeframe. This means that arable land in Sweden can accommodate for a future production of 500 000 tonnes per year, which was suggested as an upper limit in an inquiry from the Swedish government, if application rates remain below 20 tonnes/ha. The multi-criteria analysis performed includes several subjective choices and uncertain parameters (criteria combination, data accuracy, agronomic thresholds, and classification scheme). Therefore, the biochar indication maps cannot yet be used for farm- or field-level recommendations for biochar applications. Nonetheless, despite uncertainties, the national- and county- level indication maps may still provide interesting order of magnitude. More field experiments are needed in Sweden as well as a more detailed analysis. To be able to make more precise recommendations, the present analysis can be refined by connecting all criteria to physical agricultural mechanisms and to the properties of biochar, and by using spatial data with higher resolution or even field-level data. This said, models need to be validated with experimental data, which is to date, non- existent: controlled biochar field experiments are therefore needed in Sweden.
Biokol, en solid produkt från termisk omvandling av biomassa med begränsat syre tillgängligt, är identifierad som en möjlig teknik för att minska halten av koldioxid i atmosfären och som jordförbättrare bland andra applikationer. Dess potentiella jordförbättrande egenskaper består av vattenhållning, näringsbindning, balansering av pH-värdet och minskad biotillgänglighet av föroreningar. Däremot så drar inte alla jordar samma nytta av biokolapplikationer. Arbetet syftar till att undersöka lämpligheten av biokolapplikationer på jordbruksmark i Sverige och kommunicera resultaten visuellt med en indikationskarta. En litteraturstudie genomfördes för att analysera jordförbättringsmöjligheterna till följd av biokolsapplikationer. Det fastställdes att kriterierna jordtyp, kväveläckage, markfuktighet, pH och organiskt material var lämpliga för analys i svensk kontext. En multikriterieanalys utfördes i ArcGIS, baserat på rumsliga data för dessa kriterier. Vardera jordbruksblock tilldelades en biokolklass, som varierade mellan hög indikation och ingen indikation. Jordbruksmark ansågs högt rekommenderad för biokolapplikationer om jordtypen var av sandig karaktär och minst ett av kriterierna översteg ett begränsande tröskelvärde. På nationell nivå ockuperade hög indikation för biokolapplikationer 24.2% (528 tusen hektar) av Sveriges jordbruksmark, medan den återstående marken hade antingen måttlig indikation (13%), låg indikation (3.5%) eller ingen indikation (59.3%). Trots rumsliga variationer, hade samtliga svenska län (med datatillgänglighet över 84%) minst 2% åkermark med hög indikation. I synnerhet, 66.1% av Hallands åkermark visade hög indikation. Vidare, Skåne hade den största arealen (148 tusen hektar, 35.7%) med hög indikation för biokolapplikationer. Den motsvarande potentialen för biokol, på nationell nivå, antyder att mellan 0.5 och 26.4 miljoner ton biokol kan appliceras på jordbruksmark med hög indikation för biokolapplikationer, givet appliceringsgrader mellan 1 och 50 ton/hektar över en 20-årsperiod. Detta innebär att svensk jordbruksmark kan rymma en framtida produktion på 500 000 ton per år, förslaget av en statlig utredning, ifall appliceringsgraden förblir under 20 ton/ha. Den utförda multikriterieanalysen inkluderar flertalet subjektiva val och osäkerheter (kriteriakombination, datans noggranhet, tröskelvärden, och klassificeringsmetod). Därmed kan indikationskartorna för biokol ännu inte användas för rekommendationer på jordbruksblocknivå. Resultaten kan emellertid, trots osäkerheter, antyda intressanta storleksordningar på nationell- och länsnivå. Fler svenska fältexperiment samt en mer detaljerad analys behövs. För att kunna ge mer exakta rekommendationer, kan den nuvarande analysen utvecklas genom att koppla samtliga kriterier till fysiska jordbruksmekanismer och biokolsegenskaper och genom att tillämpa rumsliga data av högre upplösning eller till och med fältnivådata. Modeller måste valideras med experimentella data, som hittills är obefintlig: kontrollerade fältförsök med biokol behövs därmed i Sverige.

Stormwater management is a problematic area and has during the last 20 years been given an increased attention due to more pollution in the cities. The increased pollution and contaminants in stormwater implicates risks for animals, humans, the ecosystem and receiving recipients. Due to the increased attention, authorities, government and other stakeholders have developed measurements to deal with the problem. Stormwater accommodations and other type of stormwater detainment has been developed with increased modern technology and functionality to fit specific areas where different type of pollutants can vary. Stormwater treatment are necessary because it creates social, environmental and technical advantages combined with protection of ecosystem, increased multifunctionality when combining for example stormwater ponds in nature, parks or urban and rural environment. This report describes seven diverse types of stormwater accommodations systems; rain garden, stormwater ponds, wells, screen basins, infiltration trenches, pipe-/concrete magazine and swales in accordance from Structor Mark Stockholm. From these seven accommodations, three were chosen to be included in Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). The purpose of the MCDA was to evaluate four different categories linked to stormwater, which are environment, social, technology and economical categories. These categories are broad concepts; therefore, parameters were developed to narrow down the areas within the concept, from which the area of investigation was founded within. The parameters created for each category are degree of purification for the environmental category, performance and maintenance for the technological category, aesthetical and social benefits for the social category and costs and risk for the economical category. The criteria developed from these parameters are specific topics that was scored from the scale between 0-5, where 0 = insignificant, 1= Low, 2= Moderate, 3= Major, 4=High, 5= Very high. A reference option was also created, considered as “no commercial treatment of stormwater”, only to transport stormwater. This reference option was also referred to as a zero-alternative and is drainage by piping. The scoring was conducted by stakeholders and citizens of Stockholm. The scoring of the three chosen stormwater accommodations and the reference alternative after calculating the mean value and summarize it resulted in that stormwater pond received the highest overall score of 11.9 followed by rain gardens 11.4, infiltration trench 11.3 and drainage by piping 7.3. The stakeholders are influential people that works either with stormwater, layout and planning or maintenance personnel. Citizens of Stockholm provided inputs only in regards of the social aspects. A total of 20 stakeholders were contacted and 5 stakeholders participated in the scoring procedure. Citizens were interviewed on the street; a total of 60 people was asked to participate and 13 people decided to participate in the scoring procedure of the social aspects. Although, the attendance of stakeholders was low, they are still considered important to this project since they provided the scoring of the criteria for each respective category (environment, technology, social and economic). In regards of the low attendance by stakeholders, this resulted in a way that it became hard to distinguish the result between the different stormwater accommodation. Therefore, it was hard to determine which stormwater accommodation that was the best out ofthe ranking provided by the MCDA. A benefit by using MCDA as a tool in this case, gave an indication that the MCDA can work as a framework to decision makers, even though the result in this case became difficult to manage and distinguish between the different stormwater accommodations. Finally, the method, layout and analysis itself can provide means of measurements for stormwater investigations when the purpose is to choose between the best stormwater systems included in the MCDA. Inputs from stakeholders concluded that depending on what type of existing circumstances, there must be a site-specific evaluation to treat every area as a unique area, before deciding what type of stormwater accommodation to apply to that specific location.
Dagvattenhantering är ett problematiskt område som under de senaste 20 åren har fått allt mer uppmärksamhet då mer föroreningar uppdagats i städerna. Den ökande föroreningen av dagvatten tenderar att orsaka en större risk för djur, människor, ekosystem och recipienter dit dagvatten rinner. På grund av uppmärksamheten som dagvattenhanteringen har fått, har myndigheter, regering och andra intressenter utvecklat dagvatten teknologin ytterligare för att skapa en modern dagvattenstrategi för att handskas med problemet. Dagvattenhantering är nödvändigt eftersom den skapar sociala, miljömässiga och tekniska fördelar samt om dagvattensystemen kombineras med funktionalitet så kan detta ge ökat skydd för ekosystemen samt förbättrad hälsa hos befolkningen i städerna. Den här rapporten beskriver sju olika typer av dagvattensystem så som; rain gardens, dagvattendammar, brunnar, skärmbassänger, svackdiken, rör-/betong magasin samt krossdiken på begäran av Structor Mark Stockholm. Utav dessa 7 dagvattensystem, ingick 3 anläggningar i en så kallad multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). Syftet med en MCDA är att utvärdera fyra olika kategorier som kan förknippas med dagvattenhantering. Kategorierna är miljömässiga, sociala, tekniska och ekonomiska. Dessa kategorier utger dock ett brett budskap och för att begränsa analysen så skapades parametrar. Dessa parametrar skapas utifrån varje enskild kategori. För den miljömässiga kategorin skapades parametern grad av rening, för den tekniska kategorin skapades parametern prestanda och underhåll, för den sociala kategorin skapades parametern estetiska och sociala fördelar, och slutligen för den ekonomiska kategorin skapades parametern kostnader och risker. Utifrån dessa parametrar skapades sedan kriterier med specifika huvudämnen som kan bedömas enligt en poängskala från 0-5 där 0 = insignificant, 1=Low, 2= Moderate, 3= Major, 4= High, 5= Very high. Tre dagvattensystem inkluderas i MCDA vilket var; rain gardens, dagvattendammar, krossdiken vars syfte är att rena och fördröja dagvatten. Ett referensalternativ skapades också som ävenkallas ”zero-alternative”, vilket anses inte ha någon rening av dagvatten utan är endast ett transportsystem för dagvatten. Detta referensalternativ kallas drainage by piping. Poängsättningen gjordes av intressenter och invånare i Stockholm. Intressenterna är människor som arbetar med dagvattenhantering antingen på planeringsstadiet eller ute i fält som drift och underhålls personal. Invånare i Stockholm bedömde endast den sociala kategorin eftersom det kan sakna kunskap och insyn i det miljömässiga, tekniska och ekonomiska detaljerna. Totalt kontaktades 20 intressenter där 5 personer valde att medverka i MCDA. Invånare i Stockholm intervjuades på stan, totalt frågades ca 60 personer varav 13 personer valde att medverka i poängsättningen. Poängsättningen av de tre valda dagvattensystemen samt referensalternativet, efter beräkningav medelvärdet samt den totala summeringen resulterade i att dagvattendammar fick den hösta poängen 11,9 hamnade rain garden på andra plats med 11,4, krossdike på tredje plats med 11,3 samt referensalternativet på en fjärde plats med 7,3. De tre dagvattensystemen hade ett relativt liknande slutgiltigt resultat. Dock så skilde sig den individuella kategoriska bedömningen av miljömässiga, tekniska, sociala samt ekonomiska aspekten med större varierande resultat. Även om deltagandet av intressenter var relativt lågt, endast 25 % av det kontaktade intressenterna valde att ställa upp, så anses dessa intressenter vara viktiga för det här projektet då de, utifrån deras kunskap, bedömer det uppsatta kriterierna och det är denna bedömning som resultatet baseras på. Resultaten mellan det olika dagvattenanläggningarna som var inkluderade i MCDA var svåra att särskilja, troligtvis beroende på att ingen viktningsmetod användes. Däremot så är en fördel med MCDA som verktyg i det här fallet, att det gav en indikation på att MCDA kan fungera som ett stödjande verktyg för beslutsfattare även om resultatet i det här fallet var svårt att särskilja. Själva metoden, upplägget och analysen kan användas som medel för att avgöra vilken typ av dagvattenanläggning som passar bäst utifrån de kriterier som är uppsatta. Slutligen så gav intressenterna en påvisning att dagvattenanläggningar ska konstrueras så att hänsyn tas till omkringliggande omständigheter, där varje plats ska ansesvara unik. Det krävs en platsspecifik utredning där hänsyn till geologiska, geotekniska,hydrologiska samt infrastrukturella och miljömässiga aspekter bör utredas innan valet av dagvattensystem bestäms.