Application of geographic information system to the allocation of disaster shelters via fuzzy models

Abstract

Purpose

Fuzzy theory provides a rigorous, flexible approach to the problem of defining and computing. Therefore, to facilitate decision making in a geographic information system (GIS), the graph layer indicator and the Takagi‐Sugeno (T‐S) fuzzy model must be integrated. This study aims to explain several versions of the T‐S fuzzy model based on fuzzy theory and fuzzy operation.

Design/methodology/approach

An inference model is constructed for GIS using the T‐S fuzzy model to formulate an integrated T‐S decision‐making (TSDMK) system.

Findings

The TSDMK system accommodates inexact, linguistic, vague and uncertain GIS data. The operator assigns most graph layer indicators by intuition.

Practical implications

Simulation results for the Hualien main station show that the proposed TSDMK system is an effective approach for GIS decision making.

Originality/value

This investigation assesses applications of fuzzy logic for decision making in a GIS based on TSDMK graphs focusing on model‐based systems.

Citation

Tsai, C., Chen, C., Chiang, W. and Lin, M. (2008), "Application of geographic information system to the allocation of disaster shelters via fuzzy models", Engineering Computations, Vol. 25 No. 1, pp. 86-100. https://doi.org/10.1108/02644400810841431