Large freight or passenger transport projects are problematic and controversial because many financial, technical, environmental and social aspects need to be considered. Indeed, the interface between the transport project and territorial planning domains is generally the focus of considerable heated debates, which often develop into conflicting decision contexts characterized by a high level of complexity. This paper presents a possible response to these difficulties through an innovative approach that integrates the analytic network process and the interactive visualization tool. The approach is intended to be deployed as problem structuring method, with a view to creating a common language for the actors involved and a shared basis for generating fruitful discussions. The proposed approach was applied in the context of the German section of the Genoa-Rotterdam railway corridor within the Interreg IVB NWE Project ''Code24''. The reported application shows how the combination of visualization and real-time interaction with spatial data provided effective decision support to a multinational stakeholder group. More generally, the application presented in this paper aims to demonstrate the potential
123EURO J Decis Process (2014) 2:281-312 DOI 10.1007/s40070-014-0033-x of the approach for the selection of a transport improvement strategy within the content of territorial transformation.
<p>Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) is generally used to support planning and decision making processes, but the sharing of information is often limited by two main factors. First, many users have difficulty reading output data, especially tables, matrixes or databases. Second, the presence of many actors introduces different disciplines, knowledge, interests and languages. This paper shows the contribution that the visualization of spatial data can give to the Analytic Network Process (ANP) (Saaty, 2005; 2001; Saaty, Vargas, 2006). This study aims to use visualization techniques to create a common grammar among actors involved, and a shared basis for generating discussion. To do this we have implemented on-going research on a modelling system which is able to visualize various kinds of data in real time. This modelling system works on generative and parametric features applied to datasets, and is based on McNeel’s “Rhinoceros” software and its free plug-in "Grasshopper". The starting point of the work described here is an application on a German section of Corridor 24, Genoa-Rotterdam, part of an Interreg IVB NEW Project, called “Code24”. The goal of this ANP application is to rank three scenarios of improvement of the "Betuwe" railway line connecting Oberhausen to the Dutch borders. The research resulted in an academic internal application which allowed us to improve the system for use in real-world focus groups which included the main stakeholders of these territorial transformation projects.</p><p>http://dx.doi.org/10.13033/ijahp.v3i2.109</p>
Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) is generally used to support planning and decision making processes, but the sharing of information can often be limited by two main factors. Firstly many users have difficulties in reading output data, especially if these are tables, matrixes or databases. Secondly, many actors means also different discipline, knowledge, interests and, overall, different languages. The paper shows the contribution that the visualization of spatial data can give to the Analytic Network Process (ANP) [Saaty, 2005, Saaty T. L., Vargas L. G., 2006]. This research approaches to visualization in order to create a common grammar among involved actors and a shared basis for generating discussions. Thus, the use of an interactive visualization tool can support MCDA in showing results and, in particular, evaluating alternative options, improving the information sharing among professionals [ Van den Brink, 2007; MacEachren, 2004]. To face these issues, a new study has been started for implementing an ongoing research on a modelling system which is able to visualize various kind of data in real time. This modelling system is based on McNeel's "Rhinoceros" software and its free plug-in "Grasshopper" and works on generative and parametric features applied to datasets. The starting point of the work is an application to a German section of Corridor 24, Genoa-Rotterdam, part of an Interreg IVB NEW Project, called "Code24". The goal of the ANP application is to rank three scenarios of the improvement of "Betuwe ljine" railway connecting Oberhausen to the Dutch borders. The first results of this research (obtained by an academic internal application), once improved, will be used in several focus groups with the main stakeholders of these territorial transformation projects.
Planning and decision making on spatial issues is a complex process which deals with a large number of variables, interests and stakeholders. Interactive visualisation tools can help, enabling information to be shared using spatial data visualisation, also known as 'geo-visualisation'. The idea is that interacting with data can improve users' knowledge and visualisation can increase intuitive perception, making them better equipped to evaluate alternative development options. The visual system presented in this paper works in both two and three dimensions, according to users' skills in interpreting images. It has been used in different applications, with diverse purposes and spatial scopes, showing its effectiveness in creating a common language among stakeholders and enabling discussions on spatial development.
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