CARTOGRAPHIC DISPLAYS TO SUPPORT LOCATIONAL DECISION-MAKING

A functional taxonomy is developed that describes the kinds of maps decision makers can use to evaluate changes in the locations of activities to serve distributed demand. Chorognostic, monoplan, and delta displays can be used for a variety of purposes during all three stages of the decision-making process: problem research and definition, the generation of alternative solutions, and selection of a course of action. Implementations of these display types are described. Finally, the authors argue that in a visual interactive modeling environment, linkages between the objective space of mathematical models and the graphical space of cartographic displays will enable decision makers to select more appropriate analytical models and to intervene and change their decision criteria. These results contribute to improved decision making in complex geographical contexts.