Intelligent spatial decision support systems

This thesis investigates the conceptual and methodological issues for the development of Intelligent Spatial Decision Support Systems (ISDSS). These are spatial decision support systems (SDSS) integrating intelligent systems techniques (Genetic Algorithms, Neural Networks, Expert Systems, Fuzzy Logic and Nonlinear methods) with traditional modelling and statistical methods for the analysis of spatial problems. The principal aim of this work is to verify the feasibility of heterogeneous systems for spatial decision support derived from a combination of traditional numerical techniques and intelligent techniques in order to provide superior performance and functionality to that achieved through the use of traditional methods alone. This thesis is composed of four distinct sections: (i) a taxonomy covering the employment of intelligent systems techniques in specific applications of geographical information systems and SDSS; (ii) the development of a prototype ISDSS; (iii) application of the prototype ISDSS to modelling the spatiotemporal dynamics of high technology industry in the South-East of England; and (iv) the development of ISDSS architectures utilising interapplication communication techniques. Existing approaches for implementing modelling tools within SDSS and GIS generally fall into one of two schemes loose coupling or tight coupling both of which involve a tradeoff between generality and speed of data interchange. In addition, these schemes offer little use of distributed processing resources. A prototype ISDSS was developed in collaboration with KPMG Peat Marwick's High Technology Practice as a general purpose spatiotemporal analysis tool with particular regard to modelling high technology industry. The GeoAnalyser system furnishes the user with animation and time plotting tools for observing spatiotemporal dynamics; such tools are typically not found in existing SDSS or GIS. Furthermore, GeoAnalyser employs the client/server model of distributed computing to link the front end client application with the back end modelling component contained within the server application. GeoAnalyser demonstrates a hybrid approach to spatial problem solving the application utilises a nonlinear model for the temporal evolution of spatial variables and a genetic algorithm for calibrating the model in order to establish a good fit for the dataset under investigation. Several novel architectures are proposed for ISDSS based on existing distributed systems technologies. These architectures are assessed in terms of user interface, data and functional integration. Implementation issues are also discussed. The research contributions of this work are four-fold: (i) it lays the foundation for ISDSS as a distinct type of system for spatial decision support by examining the user interface, performance and methodological requirements of such systems; (ii) it explores a new approach for linking modelling techniques and SDSS; (iii) it investigates the possibility of modelling high technology industry; and (iv) it details novel architectures for ISDSS based on distributed systems.