Open Source Mapping to improve data sharing: Environmental Response Management Application

The Environmental Response Management Application (ERMA®) is an online mapping tool that integrates both static and real-time data, such as Environmental Sensitivity Index maps, ship locations, weather, and ocean currents, in a centralized, easy-to-use format for environmental responders and decision makers. ERMA enables a user to quickly and securely upload, transform export, and display spatial data in a Geographic Information System (GIS) map. This allows for high-impact and fine-resolution visualization of data for solving complex environmental response and resource issues. ERMA was used to support the USCG’s “Arctic Shield” drill, September 2013. Through this exercise, ERMA was able to incorporate onboard ship information, field-collected data, photos, sensor data and other scientific input collected during the USCG Cutter HEALY cruise. The exercise has broad applicability and identified challenges for spills in remote locations as well as for processing data-intense sensor information. The presentation will focus on data sharing and collaborations in the Salish Sea

A collaborative expert system for group decision making in public policy

In the policy arena, there is high pressure to provide right and quick decisions for problems that are often poorly defined. There is hence an urgent need to support stakeholders in establishing a shared understanding of policy problems and to assist them in the design of potential solutions. Here we propose a formal methodology based on the construction and analysis of system maps, i.e., a graphical representation of the complex interdependencies of all relevant factors that affect the problem under study. Owing to their collaborative design, system maps provide a transparent tool with broad stakeholder acceptance to analyze ill-defined problems in a formal way. The construction of system maps involves expert elicitation to define system components, system boundaries, and interactions between system components, whereas the dynamical system behavior can be approximated by means of system dynamics. Although there is great value in the construction of the system map to enhance the understanding of the problem scenario, we consider this as an intermediate step. The final target is to present the full life-cycle of system maps and assist decision-makers in the entire decision-making process through the construction and analysis of system maps, i.e., from the understanding of the system behavior, to the definition of objectives and constraints, and finally the presentation of feasible solutions. System maps provides us with an effective framework to collect information dispersed over the experts, facilitate mediation, and analyze formally potential pathway solutions, meeting different criteria of optimality

Uncertainty Assessment in High-Risk Environments Using Probability, Evidence Theory and Expert Judgment Elicitation

The level of uncertainty in advanced system design is assessed by comparing the results of expert judgment elicitation to probability and evidence theory. This research shows how one type of monotone measure, namely Dempster-Shafer Theory of Evidence can expand the framework of uncertainty to provide decision makers a more robust solution space. The issues imbedded in this research are focused on how the relevant predictive uncertainty produced by similar action is measured. This methodology uses the established approach from traditional probability theory and Dempster-Shafer evidence theory to combine two classes of uncertainty, aleatory and epistemic. Probability theory provides the mathematical structure traditionally used in the representation of aleatory uncertainty. The uncertainty in analysis outcomes is represented by probability distributions and typically summarized as Complimentary Cumulative Distribution Functions (CCDFs). The main components of this research are probability of X in the probability theory compared to mx in evidence theory. Using this comparison, an epistemic model is developed to obtain the upper “CCPF - Complimentary Cumulative Plausibility Function” limits and the lower “CCBF - Complimentary Cumulative Belief Function” limits compared to the traditional probability function. A conceptual design for the Thermal Protection System (TPS) of future Crew Exploration Vehicles (CEV) is used as an initial test case. A questionnaire is tailored to elicit judgment from experts in high-risk environments. Based on description and characteristics, the answers of the questionnaire produces information, that serves as qualitative semantics used for the evidence theory functions. The computational mechanism provides a heuristic approach for the compilation and presentation of the results. A follow-up evaluation serves as validation of the findings and provides useful information in terms of consistency and adoptability to other domains. The results of this methodology provide a useful and practical approach in conceptual design to aid the decision maker in assessing the level of uncertainty of the experts. The methodology presented is well-suited for decision makers that encompass similar conceptual design instruments

Physical, Economical, Infrastructural and Social Flood Risk -- Vulnerability Analyses in GIS

An exhaustive knowledge of flood risk, vulnerability and exposure in different spatial locations is essential for developing an effective flood mitigation strategy for a watershed. In the present study, a flood risk-vulnerability analysis is performed. All four components of flood vulnerability: (a) physical; (b) economic; (c) infrastructure and (d) social, are evaluated individually using a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. The proposed methodology estimates the impact on infrastructure vulnerability due to inundation of critical facilities, emergency service stations, and road bridges. The components of vulnerability are combined to determine the overall vulnerability. The patterns of land use and soil type are considered as two major components of flood exposure. Flood hazard maps, overall vulnerability and exposure are used to finally compute the flood risk at different locations in the watershed. The proposed methodology is implemented to six major damage centers in the Upper Thames River watershed, located in south-western Ontario of Canada to assess the flood risk. A web-based information system is developed for systematic presentation of the flood risk, vulnerability and exposures by postal code regions or Forward Sortation Areas (FSAs). The system is designed to provide support for different users, i.e., general public, decision-makers and water management professionals. An interactive analysis tool is developed within the web-based information system to assist in evaluation of the flood risk in response to a change in land use pattern.https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/wrrr/1019/thumbnail.jp

The role of presentation format on decision-makers' behaviour in accounting

The recent increase in researching presentation format area is resulting in an increase in awareness of the importance of presentation format on decision-makers' behaviour. This paper presents a synthesis of prior research on presentation format in the accounting literature which could be used as bases and references for future research. It reviews and evaluates existing accounting literature that examines the linkages of presentation format on decision-makers behaviour. Finally, future research opportunities in this area are made

Integration of decision support systems to improve decision support performance

Decision support system (DSS) is a well-established research and development area. Traditional isolated, stand-alone DSS has been recently facing new challenges. In order to improve the performance of DSS to meet the challenges, research has been actively carried out to develop integrated decision support systems (IDSS). This paper reviews the current research efforts with regard to the development of IDSS. The focus of the paper is on the integration aspect for IDSS through multiple perspectives, and the technologies that support this integration. More than 100 papers and software systems are discussed. Current research efforts and the development status of IDSS are explained, compared and classified. In addition, future trends and challenges in integration are outlined. The paper concludes that by addressing integration, better support will be provided to decision makers, with the expectation of both better decisions and improved decision making processes

A review of data visualization: opportunities in manufacturing sequence management.

Data visualization now benefits from developments in technologies that offer innovative ways of presenting complex data. Potentially these have widespread application in communicating the complex information domains typical of manufacturing sequence management environments for global enterprises. In this paper the authors review the visualization functionalities, techniques and applications reported in literature, map these to manufacturing sequence information presentation requirements and identify the opportunities available and likely development paths. Current leading-edge practice in dynamic updating and communication with suppliers is not being exploited in manufacturing sequence management; it could provide significant benefits to manufacturing business. In the context of global manufacturing operations and broad-based user communities with differing needs served by common data sets, tool functionality is generally ahead of user application

An Environmental Information System for Tanjung Mulia Village, Medan Municipality, Indonesia

The residential area in any municipality is an area that ideally should pay special attention to the development of environmental management and pollution control. Most households in developing countries are located close to industrial activities and this may cause environmental problems such as water and air pollution The government or the Local Authority may not be able to cope with this problem of pollution perhaps due to financial constraints and lack of technology and expertise. Moreover, law enforcement is mostly ineffective due to lack of knowledge on the part of officials involved in environmental management. The objective of the study is to develop an Environmental Information System on human activities, location and sources of pollution in urban residential areas because such a study has not been previously undertaken. Decision makers will therefore be provided with an important tool that will furnish them with complete and accurate information to help them plan and implement a programme for sustainable growth of the city. The Indonesian Government has laid a valuable and solid foundation for a environmental information system through a system of land codes for tax collection. The land in cities has been given location codes in relation to the width and type of building; and width of each land unit. The linkage and relation between the tax administrative system and environmental management system constitutes the basic structure in the formulation of the environmental information system developed in this study. The Environmental Information System study consists of data collection, processing and analysis of data and data presentation. Data collection and organisation were based on the Environmental Audit Guidelines declared by the Indonesian Ministry of Environment in 1994. The concept of unit operation in a factory is applied to each land unit in the study area. The system that was developed was implemented in the three Subvillages of Tanjung Mulia Village, Medan Municipality, Indonesia. The study covered 152 locations of land units. The parameters obtained in this study such as distribution of population and solid and liquid waste handling systems was analysed by a Geographic Information System (GIS) and the output is presented in thematic maps. This data may be useful for environmental management and pollution control and land development planning of the study area