Spatial Decision Support System
Encyclopedia
Spatial decision support systems (sDSS) developed in parallel with the concept of decision support systems (DSS).
An sDSS is an interactive, computer-based system designed to support a user or group of users in achieving a higher effectiveness of decision making while solving a semi-structured spatial problem. It is designed to assist the spatial planner with guidance in making land use decisions. For example, when deciding where to build a new airport many contrasting criteria, such as noise pollution
vs. employment prospects or the knock on effect on transportation links, which make the decision difficult. A system which models decisions could be used to help identify the most effective decision path.
An sDSS is sometimes referred to as a policy support system.
A spatial decision support system typically consists of the following components (GIS+DSS=SDSS).
In more detail that means:
This concept fits dialog, data and modelling concepts outlined by Sprague and Watson as the DDM paradigm.
An sDSS typically uses a variety of spatial and nonspatial information, like data on land use, transportation, water management
, demographics
, agriculture, climate, epidemiology
, resource management or employment. By using two (or, better, more) known points in history the models can be calibrated and then projections into the future can be made to analyze different spatial policy options. Using these techniques spatial planners can investigate the effects of different scenarios, and provide information to make informed decisions. To allow the user to easily adapt the system to deal with possible intervention possibilities an interface allows for simple modification to be made.
is a land-use planning sDSS that works as an extension to ArcGIS
geographic information system software produced by ESRI
. It uses a scenario planning approach and calculates economic, environmental, social and visual impacts and indicators dynamically as users explore alternatives. Interactive 3D models and various tools for public participation and collaboration are also included. It has been commercially available since 2001.
CommunityViz web site
http://www.lumos.info/environmentexplorer.htm
orientation. It focuses on the relations between the CAP and landscape changes and emphasizes the spatio-temporal dimension of the former. The core of the tool is a dynamic cellular automata based land use model. Current usage areas – Poland
(2 areas), Germany
/ The Netherlands (1 cross border area)
http://www.riks.nl/projects/LUMOCAP
tool that can be used for assessing, monitoring and modeling the development of urban and regional environments.
The project was initiated in 1998 (under the name of MURBANDY – Monitoring Urban Dynamics) with the objective to monitor the developments of urban areas and identify trends at the European scale. The work includes the computation of indicators and the assessment of the impact of anthropogenic stress factors (with a focus on expanding settlements, transport and tourism) in and around urban areas, and along development corridors. Models now covering 23 European cities (map)
http://moland.jrc.ec.europa.eu/
distribution. The two datasets are available publicly. They are: number of bike rack installations and number of requests for new bike racks. These two sets are divided into geographic and political boundaries called Wards
. On the Bike Parking website, users can run their own queries to determine the bike parking level of service in geographic and political boundaries (including ZIP Code, and Community Area). A map will display showing color coded points indicating bike rack requests and survey status.
An sDSS is an interactive, computer-based system designed to support a user or group of users in achieving a higher effectiveness of decision making while solving a semi-structured spatial problem. It is designed to assist the spatial planner with guidance in making land use decisions. For example, when deciding where to build a new airport many contrasting criteria, such as noise pollution
Noise pollution
Noise pollution is excessive, displeasing human, animal or machine-created environmental noise that disrupts the activity or balance of human or animal life...
vs. employment prospects or the knock on effect on transportation links, which make the decision difficult. A system which models decisions could be used to help identify the most effective decision path.
An sDSS is sometimes referred to as a policy support system.
A spatial decision support system typically consists of the following components (GIS+DSS=SDSS).
- Decision support systemDecision support systemA decision support system is a computer-based information system that supports business or organizational decision-making activities. DSSs serve the management, operations, and planning levels of an organization and help to make decisions, which may be rapidly changing and not easily specified in...
DSS - Geographic information systemGeographic Information SystemA geographic information system, geographical information science, or geospatial information studies is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographically referenced data...
GIS
In more detail that means:
- A database management systemDatabase management systemA database management system is a software package with computer programs that control the creation, maintenance, and use of a database. It allows organizations to conveniently develop databases for various applications by database administrators and other specialists. A database is an integrated...
– This system holds and handles the geographical data. A standalone system for this is called a geographical information system, (GIS). - A library of potential models that can be used to forecast the possible outcomes of decisions.
- An interface to aid the users interaction with the computer system and to assist in analysis of outcomes.
This concept fits dialog, data and modelling concepts outlined by Sprague and Watson as the DDM paradigm.
How does an SDSS work?
An sDSS usually exists in the form of a computer model or collection of interlinked computer models, including a land use model. Although various techniques are available to simulate land use dynamics, two types are particularly suitable for sDSS. These are cellular automata (CA) based models and Agent Based Models (ABM).An sDSS typically uses a variety of spatial and nonspatial information, like data on land use, transportation, water management
Water management
Water management is the activity of planning, developing, distributing and managing the optimum use of water resources. In an ideal world. water management planning has regard to all the competing demands for water and seeks to allocate water on an equitable basis to satisfy all uses and demands...
, demographics
Demographics
Demographics are the most recent statistical characteristics of a population. These types of data are used widely in sociology , public policy, and marketing. Commonly examined demographics include gender, race, age, disabilities, mobility, home ownership, employment status, and even location...
, agriculture, climate, epidemiology
Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the study of health-event, health-characteristic, or health-determinant patterns in a population. It is the cornerstone method of public health research, and helps inform policy decisions and evidence-based medicine by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive...
, resource management or employment. By using two (or, better, more) known points in history the models can be calibrated and then projections into the future can be made to analyze different spatial policy options. Using these techniques spatial planners can investigate the effects of different scenarios, and provide information to make informed decisions. To allow the user to easily adapt the system to deal with possible intervention possibilities an interface allows for simple modification to be made.
CommunityViz
CommunityVizCommunityViz
CommunityViz is the name of a group of extensions to ArcGIS Geographic Information System software. CommunityViz is an analysis tool used for, among other applications, urban planning, land use planning, geodesign, transportation planning and resource management applications. It also provides...
is a land-use planning sDSS that works as an extension to ArcGIS
ArcGIS
ArcGIS is a suite consisting of a group of geographic information system software products produced by Esri.ArcGIS is a system for working with maps and geographic information...
geographic information system software produced by ESRI
ESRI
Esri is a software development and services company providing Geographic Information System software and geodatabase management applications. The headquarters of Esri is in Redlands, California....
. It uses a scenario planning approach and calculates economic, environmental, social and visual impacts and indicators dynamically as users explore alternatives. Interactive 3D models and various tools for public participation and collaboration are also included. It has been commercially available since 2001.
CommunityViz web site
Environment explorer
The Environment explorer (LOV) is a spatial, dynamic model, in which land use and the effects on social, economic and ecological indicators are modeled in an integrated way. Its primary goal is to explore future developments, combining autonomous developments with alternative policy options, in relation to the quality of the environment in which inhabitants of the Netherlands live, work and recreate. Various policy options from governmental departments are translated into a spatial, dynamic image of the Netherlands future with respect to issues such as: economic activity, employment, social well-being, transportation and accessibility, and the natural environment. The model covers the whole of The Netherlands.http://www.lumos.info/environmentexplorer.htm
LUMOCAP
LUMOCAP aims at delivering an operational tool for assessing land use changes and their impact on the rural landscape according to a Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)Common Agricultural Policy
The Common Agricultural Policy is a system of European Union agricultural subsidies and programmes. It represents 48% of the EU's budget, €49.8 billion in 2006 ....
orientation. It focuses on the relations between the CAP and landscape changes and emphasizes the spatio-temporal dimension of the former. The core of the tool is a dynamic cellular automata based land use model. Current usage areas – Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
(2 areas), Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
/ The Netherlands (1 cross border area)
http://www.riks.nl/projects/LUMOCAP
MOLAND
The aim of MOLAND is to provide a spatial planningSpatial planning
Spatial planning refers to the methods used by the public sector to influence the distribution of people and activities in spaces of various scales. Discrete professional disciplines which involve spatial planning include land use planning, urban planning, regional planning, transport planning and...
tool that can be used for assessing, monitoring and modeling the development of urban and regional environments.
The project was initiated in 1998 (under the name of MURBANDY – Monitoring Urban Dynamics) with the objective to monitor the developments of urban areas and identify trends at the European scale. The work includes the computation of indicators and the assessment of the impact of anthropogenic stress factors (with a focus on expanding settlements, transport and tourism) in and around urban areas, and along development corridors. Models now covering 23 European cities (map)
http://moland.jrc.ec.europa.eu/
MURBANDY
The overall objective of MURBANDY is to provide datasets to study past and current land uses, to develop an Earth Observation based procedure to monitor the dynamics of European cities; to develop a number of "urban" and "environmental" indicators that allow to understand these dynamics and the impact these cities have on the environment, and finally to elaborate scenarios of urban growth. Initially this project covered 5 European cities, but the project has expanded into the MOLAND project.Zer0-M
Zer0-M aims at concepts and technologies to achieve optimised close-loop usage of all water flows in small municipalities or settlements (e.g. tourism facilities) not connected to a central wastewater treatment – the Zero Outflow Municipality (Zer0-M).Bike parking public interface
The Chicago Bike Parking Program within the Chicago Department of Transportation uses two datasets to plan yearly bike rackBicycle stand
A bicycle stand,also called a bike rack, is a device to which bicycles may be securely attached. It may be free standing or securely attached to the ground or some stationary object such as a building. Indoor bike racks are commonly used for private bicycle parking, while outdoor bike racks are...
distribution. The two datasets are available publicly. They are: number of bike rack installations and number of requests for new bike racks. These two sets are divided into geographic and political boundaries called Wards
Chicago City Council
The Chicago City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Chicago in Illinois. It consists of 50 aldermen elected from 50 wards to serve four-year terms...
. On the Bike Parking website, users can run their own queries to determine the bike parking level of service in geographic and political boundaries (including ZIP Code, and Community Area). A map will display showing color coded points indicating bike rack requests and survey status.