Journal Facts

Journal
Journal of Environmental Systems
ISSN
0047-2433 (print) 1541-3802 (electronic)
Volume
28
Issue
4
Date
4/1/2001

Article Facts

Title
NUMERIC ORDERED WEIGHTED AVERAGING OPERATORS: POSSIBILITIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT EVALUATION
DOI
10.2190/DHL5-PJ7A-P267-JD8W
Author
P. N. SMITH
Pages
175-191
Online Date
09/23/2002

Article Links

NUMERIC ORDERED WEIGHTED AVERAGING OPERATORS: POSSIBILITIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT EVALUATION

P. N. SMITH

DOI: 10.2190/DHL5-PJ7A-P267-JD8W

Abstract

This article outlines aspects of ordered weighted averaging (OWA) aggregation operators in the evaluation of alternative projects with environmental consequences. OWA operators generalize the conventional maximum and minimum aggregation operators commonly use to aggregate fuzzy subsets, here representing the degree of "satisfaction" of factors/impacts by a set of discrete projects. A simple example drawn from Horsak and Damico is given which involves the location of a hazardous waste disposal facility at one of three sites based on ten factors [1]. OWA operators are considered in the context of the aggregation of factors/impacts and the importance weight of those factors/impacts. Consideration is given to maximum entropy OWA (ME-OWA), exponential OWA (E-OWA), and weighted ordered weighted averaging (WOWA) operators, in addition to quantified statements implemented by OWA operators. OWA aggregation operators are considered in the context of the above illustrative example. It is concluded that OWA operators have considerable potential in providing a framework for the aggregation of fuzzy subsets in the evaluation of projects with environmental consequences.

Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.