Collaborative Decision Making: Using Multiattribute Utility Analysis to Involve Stakeholders in Resolution of Controversial Transportation Issues

1997 ◽  
Vol 1606 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcy Schwartz ◽  
Constance Eichhorn
Keyword(s):  
Public Involvement ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Controversial Issues ◽  
Multiattribute Utility ◽  
Utility Analysis ◽  
Collaborative Process ◽  
The Public ◽  
Common Criteria ◽  
Multiattribute Utility Analysis ◽  
Collaborative Decision

Instead of comparing a broad range of alternatives against common criteria, traditional transportation alternatives analysis methods tend to pit supporters of one alternative against those of another. As a result, public involvement processes intended to help resolve controversial issues often polarize the public and force decision makers to side with one position or another. However, a simple form of multiattribute utility analysis (MUA) has proved very effective in involving stakeholders in a collaborative process. This type of analysis is relatively inexpensive to execute, fosters problem solving, and has a high probability of leading to a defensible, implementable decision. This modified MUA approach has been applied to two California freeway-access projects.

Analysis of Multiple Objectives in Oregon Coho Salmon Policy

1983 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 580-587 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. D. Walker ◽  
R. B. Rettig ◽  
R. Hilborn
Keyword(s):  
Coho Salmon ◽  
Multiple Objectives ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Decision Variable ◽  
Utility Analysis ◽  
Harvest Rate ◽  
Effective Policy ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Multiattribute Utility Analysis ◽  
Selection Of

Our objective was to determine whether formal decision analysis could assist fishery managers in Oregon to evaluate alternative strategies with respect to allocation and production of wild and hatchery coho salmon. The method chosen given multiple objectives and uncertainty is multiattribute utility analysis. The analytical model consists of two main components: (1) a computer model that simulates the life cycle of hatchery and stream spawning coho salmon given environmental variation, different hatchery juvenile release levels, and harvest rates and (2) an objective function that evaluates the aggregate levels of catch and escapement resulting from alternative release levels and harvest rates. The approach was used to rank the expected outcomes from 12 proposed policies. We concluded that (1) the most effective policy is achieved with a relatively low harvest rate and high smolt release level, (2) selection of a particular harvest rate is the most important decision variable, and (3) a large smolt release level can be maintained unless such releases adversely decrease the ocean survival of stream spawning coho. If the agency is to be significantly helped, the analysis must be expanded to involve a larger number of decision makers, incorporate additional objectives such as catch variability, and include a finer level of detail in the simulation model.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document