A multiple models-multiple users group GIS-based decision support system for land use problems

Group GIS-based Decision Support Systems (GGDSSs) have been used as effective tools to involve a particular group of individuals in the process of assessing alternative lands/locations for a particular use. Multiple Models Multiple Users GGDSSs refer to the systems in which each decision maker may use a different decision model in the group assessment process. The variety and dynamic nature of individual decision models defined by decision makers raises the need for access to diverse sets of spatial data as well as GIS (Geographic Information System) and MCDA (Multicriteria Decision Analysis) functionalities. To overcome this problem, the study presents a Web service-based framework for Multiple Models-Multiple Users GGDSS using OGC (Open Geospatial Consortium) and XMCDA (XML-based Multicriteria Decision Analysis) standards. The usability assessment of the proposed GGDSS shows that majority of the users would like to use this system regularly (40 % strongly agree and 30 % agree), believe it is easy to use (35 % strongly agree and 35 % agree), state that the various functions in this system are well integrated (60 % strongly agree and 20 % agree), believe most people would learn to use it very quickly (60 % strongly agree and 20 % agree), and have a high level of confidence using the system (65 % strongly agree and 5 % agree).