GIS based facility location planning with different types of consumers

This dissertation integrates geographic information systems (GIS), optimization modeling, aggregation, and heuristic methodologies to study facility location planning on a network with different types of consumers.;Location researchers tend to introduce changes in objective functions or assumptions by developing new models, hampering the development of standardized software that would encourage widespread use of flow interception models. Chapter Three formulates a generalized model encapsulating all known and many proposed FILM problems through simple data, or occasionally, constraint changes.;Traditional location theory views consumers as travelling from fixed points; their convenience is measured by distance from these points to the nearest facility. FILM theory views consumers as flows traveling on predetermined paths; their convenience is measured by distance from these paths to a facility. Chapter Four accommodates a more realistic view of consumers, that they choose a facility based on its greater convenience to either their home or their travel path, substantially improving the location modeling outcome. Location researchers have traditionally developed different models for different consumer types. Chapter Four further develops a strategy for unifying consumer types and location models. A generalized model encompasses at least sixty existing models, including the p-median model, the maximal covering location model, and FILM.;Flow databases are often too large for location models to handle. Chapter Five integrates GIS, optimization, and heuristics to develop a system of efficiently aggregating flow data for location models. We apply this system to the classic FILM model using 2001 Edmonton afternoon peak traffic data and find it to be effective and free of aggregation error.;Traditional flow-interception location models (FILM) locate facilities to intercept as much traffic as possible, without considering where. Chapter Two develops a model that accounts for consumer desires to receive services at or near specific locations along their trips.