Infrastructure engineering evaluation and assessment using geographic information system and the analytic hierarchy process: A cross-discipline approach

An innovative methodology to evaluate and assess the impact of civil engineering decision-making has been established. This was achieved by application of the methodology through a case study and model validation by the experts in the case study. Developing this methodology consisted of evaluating socio-economic and demographic variables of an urban neighborhood with the multi-criteria approach based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process and the assessment of the impact through spatial analysis using a Geographic Information System. A Decision Support Model is developed that integrates the Analytic Hierarchy Process and Geographic Information System technologies. Through a rational, scientific and systematic methodology socio-economic and demographic variables were filtered through the Analytic Hierarchy Process. The Decision Support Model of Clay Street provided the users an analytical and visual assessment tool for decision making. The results from this filtering were introduced into a Geographic Information System for visual assessment. The Geographic Information System output is a direct result of the preferences, percentage of influences and scale value ranking derived by the users using Analytic Hierarchy Process that is introduced into Geographic Information System using the weighted overlay process. This resulted in a visual analysis of the variables that assisted the users in finalizing their decision. These Geographic Information System results indicate income levels, mortgage levels, and rental levels are prohibitive in relationship to the decision to increase homeownership for the study area. Furthermore, a visual assessment of the impact of this decision on the Clay Street (African American) population clearly indicates alternative approaches are required, if the goal is to increase homeownership. For example, a visual Geographic Information System analysis indicates residents (African Americans) in the Clay Street area may be better served in achieving homeownership outside of the study area. Further assessment indicates the study area may be better served if the waterfront is taken advantage of which includes additional home development opportunities. An engineering evaluation of the study area would provide valuable development costs and return on investment information. This case study and the methodology employed clearly shows the importance of applying a fundamental, sound, scientific and rational approach in determining the impact that a decision may have on the urban infrastructure. The impact could take the form of appropriate usage of State and Federal funds, or relocation, even displacement of a particular population or animal species. It is important to acknowledge the significance this methodology will have on civil engineering as a vocation and profession. In the case of a vocation, introducing decision modeling at the undergraduate level. At the professional level, introducing decision modeling can enhance and improve design solutions. The expected result from this new methodology was the development of a Geographic Information System I Analytic Hierarchy Process decision support model, which provided a scientific analytical structure in solving infrastructure-engineering problems. This research documents how civil engineering professionals can effectively apply a cross-disciplinary approach to solving design problems and it challenges the traditional roles of the civil engineer in decision-making, namely introducing a new methodology in problem solving with Analytic Hierarchy Process and Geographic Information System.