1
|
Singh D, Dikshit AK, Kumar S. Smart technological options in collection and transportation of municipal solid waste in urban areas: A mini review. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2024; 42:3-15. [PMID: 37246550 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x231175816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The rapid increase in quantities and the mismanagement of municipal solid waste (MSW) in developing countries are increasing the environmental impacts such as air, water and soil contamination. The present scenario of MSW management deals with numerous issues such as lack of technological resources, strategical management, social awareness, public participation, etc. Globally, numerous efforts in the form of new policies, schemes and regulatory acts have been made to develop a systematic collection and transportation (C&T) method using advanced, integrated technologies. However, very few studies have addressed this issue for low- and middle-income countries due to the lack of availability of reliable resources and data sets. This paper addresses the present challenges in C&T methods and highlights the application of information communication technology in monitoring, capturing, data management, planning, live tracking and communication. This systematic mini-review is based on the availability of technical resources, consumer acceptance and cost-effectiveness of different technologies in managing the processes. The study revealed that the C&T methods in most developed countries are designed based on their geographical stretch, climatic factors, waste characteristics and compatible technology, resulting in sustainable MSW management. However, developing countries have followed the same monotonous approach in managing their MSW, which fails in C&T process. The case study provides a valuable resource for researchers and policymakers to frame a better C&T process based on the recent technological interventions, infrastructure development, and social and economic status.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deval Singh
- Environmental Science & Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Anil Kumar Dikshit
- Environmental Science & Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sunil Kumar
- CSIR - National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Moreno-Solaz H, Artacho-Ramírez MÁ, Aragonés-Beltrán P, Cloquell-Ballester VA. Sustainable selection of waste collection trucks considering feasible future scenarios by applying the stratified best and worst method. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15481. [PMID: 37128307 PMCID: PMC10148105 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is vital in achieving sustainable development goals. It is a complex activity embracing collection, transport, recycling, and disposal; and whose management depends on proper strategic decision-making. The use of decision support methods such as multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) is widespread in MSW management. However, their application mainly focuses on selecting plant locations and the best technologies for waste treatment. Despite the critical role played by transport in promoting sustainability, MCDM has seldom been applied for the selection of sustainable transport alternatives in the field of MSW management. There are a few MCDM studies about choosing waste collection vehicles, but none that include the most recent green vehicles among the options or consider feasible future scenarios. In this article, different engine technologies for collection trucks (diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG), hybrid CNG-electric, electric, and hydrogen) are evaluated under sustainability criteria in a Spanish city by applying the stratified best and worst method (SBWM). This method enables considering the uncertainty associated with future events to establish various feasible scenarios. The results show that the best-valued options are electric and diesel trucks, in that order, followed by CNG and hybrid CNG-electric, and with hydrogen-powered trucks coming last. The SBWM has proven helpful in defining a comprehensive framework for selecting the most suitable engine technology to support long-term MSW collection. Considering sustainability among the criteria and feasible future scenarios in waste management collection decision-making provides more comprehensive and conclusive results that help managers and policymakers make better informed and more reliable decisions.
Collapse
|
3
|
Methodological Framework to Select Evaluation Criteria for Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis of Road Transportation Fuels and Vehicles. ENERGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/en15145267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Studies applying Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to evaluate Road Transportation Fuels and Vehicles (RTFV) rely on a wide variety of evaluation criteria and appear to lack a structured and consistent way of criteria selection. This leads to non-transparent and not easily comparable evaluation results. To address this issue, a methodological framework is developed to systematically identify and select relevant MCDA-evaluation criteria for the assessment of RTFV. The methodological framework is based on Life Cycle Sustainability Analysis (LCSA) and considers environmental, economic, and social criteria that are complemented with a technical pillar. The scope of the analysis is further enlarged by considering positive and negative externalities. The first part of the framework follows the LCSA approach and requires the analyst to clearly define the context of the analysis. The second part is to decompose the problem by developing criteria categories along the relevant life cycle for each of the evaluation dimensions. This decomposition process helps decision makers to easily identify and select relevant criteria with clear added value within the context of the analysis. In an exemplary application, the developed methodological framework is used to identify relevant criteria for the evaluation of RTFV alternatives for an island aiming at energy self-sufficiency.
Collapse
|
4
|
A Hybrid Intuitionistic Fuzzy-MEREC-RS-DNMA Method for Assessing the Alternative Fuel Vehicles with Sustainability Perspectives. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14095463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) offer opportunities to lower fuel costs as well as to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and, therefore, they are a feasible option for customers in the market. Due to technological advancements, decisions about suitable alternative fuel vehicles are a challenging problem for fleet operators. This paper aims to introduce a multi-attribute decision-analysis framework to rank and select the “alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs)” for a private home healthcare service provider in Chandigarh, India. The selection of AFVs can be treated as a decision-making problem, because of the presence of various qualitative and quantitative attributes. Thus, the current work introduces an integrated decision-making framework based on intuitionistic fuzzy-“method based on the removal effects of criteria (MEREC)”, “ranking sum (RS)”, and the “double normalization-based multi-aggregation (DNMA)” framework for assessing the AFVs. The combination of MEREC and RS is applied to assess the objective and subjective weighting values of various parameters for AFV assessment. The DNMA approach is utilized to prioritize the different AFVs over various significant parameters. According to the outcomes, the most significant parameters for AFV assessment are social benefits, fueling/charging infrastructure, and financial incentives, respectively. In this context, globally existing AFVs for the sustainable transportation sector are identified, and then prioritized against fifteen different criteria relevant to the environmental, economic, technological, social, and political aspects of sustainability. It is distinguished that electric vehicles (G2), hybrid electric vehicles (G1), and hydrogen vehicles (G3) achieve higher overall performance compared to the other technologies available in India. The assessment outcomes prove that electric vehicles can serve as a valuable alternative for decreasing carbon emissions and negative effects on the environment. This technology contributes to transportation sector development and job creation in less developed areas of the country. Moreover, a comparison with existing studies and a sensitivity investigation are conferred to reveal the robustness and stability of the developed framework.
Collapse
|
5
|
Insights for Landfill Site Selection Using GIS: A Case Study in the Tanjero River Basin, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su132212602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The increasing world population and the growing quantity of solid waste have become a challenging problem facing governments and policy makers because of the scarcity of suitable sites for new landfills and the negative perception of these sites by the people. This study aims to evaluate the performance of different Multi-Criteria Decision-Analysis (MCDA) approaches using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) data for identifying suitable landfill sites (LFSs). We evaluated the methodologies used by various investigators and selected appropriate ones as suitable sites for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfill in the Tanjero River Basin (TRB) in the Iraqi Kurdistan region. We applied Boolean Overlay (BO), Weighted Sum Method (WSM), Weighted Product Method (WPM), Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to allow combined use of 15 thematic layers as predictive factors (PFs). In this study, we applied the Topographic Position Index (TPI) for the first time to select MSW LFSs. Almost all methods showed reliable results and we identified eight suitable sites situated in the western part of the TRB having total area of ~18.35 km2. The best accuracy was achieved using the AHP approach. This paper emphasizes that the approach of the used method is useful for selecting LFSs in other areas, which are located in similar environments.
Collapse
|
6
|
Bafail OA, Abdulaal RM. New approach for selecting a suitable recycling collection program for recovered paper and pulp recyclables using AHP-TOPSIS techniques. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2021; 39:1406-1413. [PMID: 33759660 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x21994903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In the past decade, the use of multiple-criteria decision analysis technology has dramatically increased in solving complex real-world problems in solid waste management. Likewise, many municipalities have paid attention to finding feasible solutions for disposal and recycling of solid waste due to the increase in waste generation rates worldwide. Therefore, policy-makers must determine which recycling program to be implemented among various recycling program options. In this paper, a new approach to select a recycling program for recovered paper and pulp recyclables was proposed using analytic hierarchy process-Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (AHP-TOPSIS) techniques. A set of essential parameters of the decision-making system were identified, and a numerical case to illustrate the procedure was conducted. Our findings show very encouraging results to use a combined model between AHP and TOPSIS to select a suitable recycling program for different recovered recyclable materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Omer A Bafail
- Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reda Ms Abdulaal
- Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pamucar D, Ecer F, Deveci M. Assessment of alternative fuel vehicles for sustainable road transportation of United States using integrated fuzzy FUCOM and neutrosophic fuzzy MARCOS methodology. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 788:147763. [PMID: 34029824 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are one of the biggest challenging environmental problems globally, which leads countries to reduce their environmental impact in various disciplines. One of the most negative effects on the environment can be seen in the transportation area. It has been seen as a promising way to reduce emissions from transport with various alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). This study aims to develop a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methodology to prioritize the various AFVs for sustainable transport. The assessment of AFVs can be considered an MCDM problem due to the involvement of several conflicting criteria. We thus develop a novel multi-criteria decision-making methodology based on fuzzy Full Consistency Method (FUCOM-F) and neutrosophic fuzzy Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to the COmpromise Solution (MARCOS) framework for the assessment of the AFVs. The proposed methodology is applied to prioritize the various AFVs in New Jersey, U.S. According to the findings, the most significant drivers for AFV selection are purchase cost, energy cost, and social benefits, respectively. The evaluation results also show that electric vehicles can serve as an effective approach to reducing carbon emissions for New Jersey. In addition, a comparative analysis is conducted to indicate the out-performance of the proposed multi-criteria methodology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dragan Pamucar
- Department of Logistics, Military Academy, University of Defence in Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Fatih Ecer
- Department of Business Administrative, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Afyon Kocatepe University, ANS Campus, 03030 Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
| | - Muhammet Deveci
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Turkish Naval Academy, National Defence University, 34940 Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Renewable Energy Problems: Exploring the Methods to Support the Decision-Making Process. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su122310195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In the current scenario of increasing energy demand and encouraging sustainable development in countries, the energy sector’s planning has become more complex, involving multiple factors, such as technical, economic, environmental, social, and political. The decision process plays a vital role in structuring and evaluating complex decision situations related to the sector, considering various criteria and objectives, encouraging adopting policies to promote energy efficiency actions by increasing research on renewable energy sources and strategic energy decisions. The high number of multi-criteria decision support methods (MCDM) available and their efficiency in solving highly complex problems results in an impasse with their selection and application in specific decision situations. Thus, the scientific community requires methodological approaches that help the decision-maker select the method consistent with his problem. Accordingly, this paper conducts a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of renewable energy problems associated with MCDM methods based on a final set of 163 articles. We identified five categories of problems solved by MCDM techniques: Source selection, location, sustainability, project performance, and technological performance. We separate the MCDM process into five evaluation steps (alternative selection, criteria selection, criteria weighting, evaluation of alternatives, and post-assessment analyzes), and we extract the methods used in each MCDM step from papers. This paper’s main contribution is identifying the most common MCDM methods in the renewable energy area and the energy problem they solve. Accordingly, this manuscript helps energy decision-makers, entrepreneurs, investors, and policy-makers to improve their ability to choose the proper MCDM methods to solve energy problems.
Collapse
|
9
|
Nowak PM, Kościelniak P, Tobiszewski M, Ballester-Caudet A, Campíns-Falcó P. Overview of the three multicriteria approaches applied to a global assessment of analytical methods. Trends Analyt Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2020.116065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
10
|
The Energy and Carbon Footprint of an Urban Waste Collection Fleet: A Case Study in Central Italy. RECYCLING 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/recycling5040025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Municipal solid waste collection and transport are functional activities in waste management, with a significant energy and carbon footprint and a significant effect on the urban environment. An issue related to municipal solid waste collection and transport is their regional and municipal implementation, affected by sorting and recycling strategies at local level. An efficient collection is necessary to optimize the whole recycling process. The present paper shows the results of an energy, environmental, and economic evaluation of a case study, analyzing the fleet used for municipal solid waste collection and transport in 10 municipalities in Central Italy. The current scenario was compared with alternative scenarios on the basis of some parameters for performance evaluation: vehicles’ energy consumption, carbon footprint, routes, and costs. Results show that for passenger cars, the alternative scenario based on an entire fleet of dual compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles led to a reduction of the CO2 emissions (−2675 kgCO2eq) in the analyzed period (January–August 2019) and a reduction of the energy consumption (−1.96 MJ km−1). An entire fleet of CNG vehicles led to an increase of CO2 emissions: +0.02 kgCO2eqkgwaste−1 (+110%) for compactors (35–75 q) and +0.09 kgCO2eqkgwaste−1 (+377%) for compactors (80–180 q). Moreover, both categories report a higher fuel consumption and specific energy consumption. For waste transport high-capacity vehicles, we propose the installation of a Stop-Start System, which leads to environmental and energy benefits (a saving of 38,332 kgCO2eq and 8.8 × 10−7 MJ km−1kgwaste−1). On three-wheeler vehicles, the installation of the Stop-Start System is completely disadvantageous.
Collapse
|
11
|
Yadav V, Kalbar PP, Karmakar S, Dikshit AK. A two-stage multi-attribute decision-making model for selecting appropriate locations of waste transfer stations in urban centers. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2020; 114:80-88. [PMID: 32659690 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2020.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Selecting appropriate locations for municipal solid waste (MSW) management facilities, such as transfer stations, is an important issue in rapidly developing regions. Multiple alternatives and evaluation attributes need to be analyzed for finalizing the locations of these facilities. Multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) approaches are found to be very effective for ranking several potential locations and hence selecting the best among them based on the identified attributes. However, conventional MADM approaches fail to find the rankings of alternatives derived from all possible combinations of these potential locations. Therefore, this study presents a two-stage MADM model that also accounts for all possible combinations of locations. This study evaluates economical, environmental, social and technical attributes based on realistic conditions of the study area, i.e., Nashik city (India). The results provide the ranks of all possible combinations along with their probabilities of rank reversibility. The mean and standard deviation of the relative closeness are further evaluated for the top-ranking locations under distinct schemes. The present study will help stakeholders in finding suitable locations for MSW management facilities while considering economic, environmental, social and technical attributes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vinay Yadav
- Environmental Science and Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India; Department of Technology, Management and Economics, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Pradip P Kalbar
- Inter Disciplinary Program on Climate Change, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India; Centre for Urban Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Subhankar Karmakar
- Environmental Science and Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India; Inter Disciplinary Program on Climate Change, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India; Centre for Urban Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India.
| | - A K Dikshit
- Environmental Science and Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India; Centre for Urban Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
A Comprehensive Forecasting–Optimization Analysis Framework for Environmental-Oriented Power System Management—A Case Study of Harbin City, China. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12104272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a comprehensive research framework coupled with electric power demand forecasting, a regional electric system planning model, and post-optimization analysis is proposed for electric power system management. For dealing with multiple forms of uncertainties and dynamics concerning energy utilization, capacity expansions, and environmental protection, the inexact two-stage stochastic robust programming optimization model was developed. The novel programming method, which integrates interval parameter programming (IPP), stochastic robust optimization (SRO), and two-stage stochastic programming (TSP), was applied to electric power system planning and management in Harbin, China. Furthermore, the Gray-Markov approach was employed for effective electricity consumption prediction, and the forecasted results can be described as interval values with corresponding occurrence probability, aiming to produce viable input parameters of the optimization model. Ten scenarios were analyzed with different emissions reduction levels and electricity power structure adjustment modes, and the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) was selected to identify the most influential factors of planning decisions by selecting the optimal scheme. The results indicate that a diversified power structure that dominates by thermal power and is mainly supplemented by biomass power should be formed to ensure regional sustainable development and electricity power supply security in Harbin. In addition, power structure adjustment is more effective than the pollutants emission control for electricity power system management. The results are insightful for supporting supply-side energy reform, generating an electricity generation scheme, adjusting energy structures, and formulating energy consumption of local policies.
Collapse
|
13
|
Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis of Road Transportation Fuels and Vehicles: A Systematic Review and Classification of the Literature. ENERGIES 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/en13010157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods help decision makers to consider and weigh diverse criteria that include economic, environmental, social and technological aspects. This characteristic makes them a popular tool to comparatively evaluate road transportation fuels and vehicles (RTFV). The aim of this paper is to systematically classify and analyse the literature applying MCDA methods on the evaluation of RTFV. To this end, 40 relevant papers are pinpointed and discussed. We identified a great number of evaluation criteria employed in the reviewed papers from which we have established a concluding list of 41 criteria, that can serve as a pool for future research. A further analysis of the evaluation criteria reveals that the process of criteria selection partly suffers from a lack of scientific foundation and standardization. We propose to standardize the criteria selection process by using the Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) methodology as a guiding reference. In addition, we compared the MCDA results obtained from studies with relatively similar setups and found that the evaluation results are also generally similar and seem not to be influenced by the particular MCDA method employed. Based on the results of the reviewed papers, one may say that electricity and ethanol appear to be good alternatives for light vehicles, whereas gaseous fuels seem more appropriate for heavy vehicles like buses. Striking deviations from these generally observed results are often caused by specific evaluation contexts, particular criteria taken into account and unusual weight sets applied.
Collapse
|
14
|
Kandakoglu A, Frini A, Ben Amor S. Multicriteria decision making for sustainable development: A systematic review. JOURNAL OF MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/mcda.1682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anissa Frini
- Unité départementale des sciences de la gestionUniversité du Québec à Rimouski Lévis Canada
| | - Sarah Ben Amor
- Telfer School of ManagementUniversity of Ottawa Ottawa Canada
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
In commercial organizations operations, frequently some dynamic events occur which involve operational, managerial, and valuable information aspects. Then, in order to make a sound decision, the business professional could be supported by a Multi Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) system for taking an external course of action, as, for instance, forecasting a new market or product, up to an inner decision concerning for instance, the volume of manufacture. Thus, managers need, in a collective manner, to analyze the actual problems, to evaluate various options according to diverse criteria, and finally choose the best solution from a set of various alternatives. Throughout these processes, uncertainty and hesitancy easily arise, when it comes to define and judge criteria or alternatives. Several approaches have been introduced to allow Decision Makers (DMs) to deal with. The Interval Multiplicative Preference Relations (IMPRs) approach is a useful technique and the basis of our proposed methodology to provide reliable consistent and in consensus IMPRs. In this manner, DMs’ choices are implicitly including their uncertainty while maintaining both an acceptable individual consistency, as well as group consensus levels. The present method is based on some recent results and an optimization algorithm to derive reliable consistent and in consensus IMPRs. In order to illustrate our results and compare them with other methodologies, a few examples are addressed and solved.
Collapse
|
16
|
Nikas A, Doukas H, Martínez López L. A group decision making tool for assessing climate policy risks against multiple criteria. Heliyon 2018; 4:e00588. [PMID: 29862351 PMCID: PMC5968143 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate policy making is challenging primarily in that it involves the assessment of data and methods across a multitude of scientific fields and disciplines. In this respect, integrated assessment models are being used, the level of detail in which allows for modelling all relations between climate and human activity. As a result, their structure is usually significantly complex and their use often excludes stakeholders and their valuable knowledge. The aim of this paper is to assess how multiple criteria decision analysis can bridge the gap between climate policy studies and experts, by delving into the literature and reaching a methodological framework appropriate for solving complex problems of this particular problem domain, featuring multiple alternatives, criteria and decision makers. Based on the findings, the Multiple Alternatives-Criteria-Experts Decision Support System is developed and presented. Finally, the capacity of this spreadsheet-based tool is demonstrated by means of a two-stage case study, which includes assessing the importance of a number of exogenous policy risks, as well as evaluating different short-term policy instruments against these risks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros Nikas
- Decision Support Systems Laboratory, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Iroon Politechniou 9, 15780, Athens, Greece
| | - Haris Doukas
- Decision Support Systems Laboratory, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Iroon Politechniou 9, 15780, Athens, Greece
| | - Luis Martínez López
- Department of Computer Science, Universidad de Jaen, Campus Las Lagunillas s/n 23071, Jaen, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zhang Y, Shen J, Li Y. An atmospheric vulnerability assessment framework for environment management and protection based on CAMx. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2018; 207:341-354. [PMID: 29182979 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.11.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents an atmospheric vulnerability assessment framework based on CAMx that should be helpful to assess potential impacts of changes in human, atmospheric environment, and social economic elements of atmospheric vulnerability. It is also a useful and effective tool that can provide policy-guidance for environmental protection and management to reduce the atmospheric vulnerability. The developed framework was applied to evaluate the atmospheric environment vulnerability of 13 cities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region for verification. The results indicated that regional disparity of the atmospheric vulnerability existed in the study site. More specifically, the central and southern regions show more atmospheric environment vulnerability than the northern regions. The impact factors of atmospheric environment vulnerability in the BTH region mainly derived from increasing population press, frequently unfavorable meteorological conditions, extensive economic growth of secondary industry, increased environmental pollution, and accelerating population aging. The framework shown in this paper is an interpretative and heuristic tool for a better understanding of atmospheric vulnerability. This framework can also be replicated at different spatial and temporal scales using context-specific datasets to straightly support environmental managers with decision-making.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- Resources and Environmental Research Academy, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Jing Shen
- Resources and Environmental Research Academy, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yu Li
- Resources and Environmental Research Academy, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ubavin D, Agarski B, Maodus N, Stanisavljevic N, Budak I. A model for prioritizing landfills for remediation and closure: A case study in Serbia. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2018; 14:105-119. [PMID: 28767199 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.1967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The existence of large numbers of landfills that do not fulfill sanitary prerequisites presents a serious hazard for the environment in lower income countries. One of the main hazards is landfill leachate that contains various pollutants and presents a threat to groundwater. Groundwater pollution from landfills depends on various mutually interconnected factors such as the waste type and amount, the amount of precipitation, the landfill location characteristics, and operational measures, among others. Considering these factors, lower income countries face a selection problem where landfills urgently requiring remediation and closure must be identified from among a large number of sites. The present paper proposes a model for prioritizing landfills for closure and remediation based on multicriteria decision making, in which the hazards of landfill groundwater pollution are evaluated. The parameters for the prioritization of landfills are the amount of waste disposed, the amount of precipitation, the vulnerability index, and the rate of increase of the amount of waste in the landfill. Verification was performed using a case study in Serbia where all municipal landfills were included and 128 landfills were selected for prioritization. The results of the evaluation of Serbian landfills, prioritizing sites for closure and remediation, are presented for the first time. Critical landfills are identified, and prioritization ranks for the selected landfills are provided. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2018;14:105-119. © 2017 SETAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dejan Ubavin
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Boris Agarski
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Nikola Maodus
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | | | - Igor Budak
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Novi Sad, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Man Y, Xiao H, Cai W, Yang S. Multi-scale sustainability assessments for biomass-based and coal-based fuels in China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 599-600:863-872. [PMID: 28499233 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Transportation liquid fuels production is heavily depend on oil. In recent years, developing biomass based and coal based fuels are regarded as promising alternatives for non-petroleum based fuels in China. With the rapid growth of constructing and planning b biomass based and coal based fuels production projects, sustainability assessments are needed to simultaneously consider the resource, the economic, and the environmental factors. This paper performs multi-scale analyses on the biomass based and coal based fuels in China. The production cost, life cycle cost, and ecological life cycle cost (ELCC) of these synfuels are investigated to compare their pros to cons and reveal the sustainability. The results show that BTL fuels has high production cost. It lacks of economic attractiveness. However, insignificant resource cost and environmental cost lead to a substantially lower ELCC, which may indicate better ecological sustainability. CTL fuels, on the contrary, is lower in production cost and reliable for economic benefit. But its coal consumption and pollutant emissions are both serious, leading to overwhelming resource cost and environmental cost. A shifting from petroleum to CTL fuels could double the ELCC, posing great threat to the sustainability of the entire fuels industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Man
- State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; School of Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Honghua Xiao
- School of Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Wei Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Siyu Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Schulte NA, Gellenbeck K, Nelles M. Operationalisation of service quality in household waste collection. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2017; 62:12-23. [PMID: 28274783 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2017.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Since 2007, there has been intensive discussion at European and national levels concerning the standardisation of services including those in the sector of waste management. The drafts of the European standard prEN 16250 and the German preliminary standard DIN SPEC 1108 are intended to establish a uniform definition of corresponding services and their (minimum) service levels. Their binding application in practice requires that systematic inspections be provided to ascertain to what degree a service has been carried out as agreed upon. However, both standardisation projects give only a few examples of potential quality characteristics and offer no concrete information concerning methods of measurement. Because intersectoral or cross-service quality inspections do not exist, there is a need for the development of specific quality inspections. The study introduced in this article examines the question of how the service quality of door-to-door waste collection can be systematically measured. To this end, the quality concept applied to the process of waste collection was first concretised and then operationalised using indicators. Based upon this, the methods of the quality inspections were developed and subjected to a trial of their applicability in a German waste management company. The methods for measuring and evaluating take into account, in addition to the different boundary conditions of collection, also the possible customer influence on the collection process and consequently on the service performed by the collection crew. In order to avoid time- and therefore cost-intensive exhaustive surveys, a multilevel random-controlled selection of survey units was developed, too. Based on the analysis of the measurement data, it was possible to determine specific time requirement values for the regular performance of the data surveys, as well as minimum sample sizes as a function of the number of container locations of the waste collection tours. On the basis of this information, it has been possible to make initial statements concerning the personnel requirement for quality inspections. Moreover, it is possible to make recommendations concerning the daily working-time schedule for a quality manager in order to achieve the most efficient performance of quality inspections possible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nico Alexander Schulte
- University of Rostock, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Waste Management, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 6, 18059 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Klaus Gellenbeck
- University of Applied Sciences Münster, Department Facility Management, Corrensstraβe 25, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Michael Nelles
- University of Rostock, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Waste Management, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 6, 18059 Rostock, Germany; Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum (DBFZ), German Biomass Research Centre, Torgauer Straβe 116, 04347 Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Zhang Y, Shen J, Ding F, Li Y, He L. Vulnerability assessment of atmospheric environment driven by human impacts. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 571:778-90. [PMID: 27424115 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.07.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Revised: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric environment quality worsening is a substantial threat to public health worldwide, and in many places, air pollution due to the intensification of the human activity is increasing dramatically. However, no studies have been investigated the integration of vulnerability assessment and atmospheric environment driven by human impacts. The objective of this study was to identify and prioritize the undesirable environmental changes as an early warning system for environment managers and decision makers in term of human, atmospheric environment, and social economic elements. We conduct a vulnerability assessment method of atmospheric environment associated with human impact, this method integrates spatial context of Geographic Information System (GIS) tool, multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) method, ordered weighted averaging (OWA) operators under the Exposure-Sensitivity- Adaptive Capacity (ESA) framework. Decision makers can find out relevant vulnerability assessment results with different vulnerable attitudes. In the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region, China, we further applied this developed method and proved it to be reliable and consistent with the China Environmental Status Bulletin. Results indicate that the vulnerability of atmospheric environment in the BTH region is not optimistic, and environment managers should do more about air pollution. Thus, the most appropriate strategic decision and development program of city or state can be picked out assisting by the vulnerable results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- Resources and Environmental Research Academy, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Jing Shen
- Resources and Environmental Research Academy, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Feng Ding
- Appraisal Centre for Environmental and Engineering, Environmental Protection Ministry, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Yu Li
- Resources and Environmental Research Academy, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Li He
- School of Renewable Energy, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Radetić L, Vujević D, Premur V, Melnjak I, Anić Vučinić A. The assessment of air emissions increase due to the collection of municipal solid waste with old collection vehicles: A case study of Ludbreg (Croatia). WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2016; 34:1047-1053. [PMID: 27443293 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x16657609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The usage of old equipment (over 10-year-old diesel-fuelled waste collection vehicles, WCVs) for municipal solid waste (MSW) collection in Ludbreg for longer than a decade has had a negative environmental impact, which has been reduced by replacing an old diesel WCV with a new diesel WCV. This study aims to assess the share of air emissions of two old WCVs (FAP 1990 and MAN 2003) and one new (MAN 2015), expressed in CO2 emissions. In addition, these vehicles have been found easily to reach the limit of 100 dB, which can cause hearing damage in their surroundings. Furthermore, their average fuel consumption is more than 80 l per 100 km, which makes them ineffective in terms of fuel consumption. Generally, higher fuel consumption results in more emissions and for a more eco-friendly operation, the MAN 2003 from Ludbreg WCV fleet should be technically amended and adjusted, and the FAP 1990 should be retired. Although the MAN 2015 is diesel fuelled, the best solution for replacement, according to Maimoun et al. (Waste Management 33: 1079-1089, 2016), would be the use of hydraulic-hybrid vehicles, which provide the best environmental benefits over other alternatives. According to Maimoun et al., hybrid is better environmentally, diesel is the best environmental-economical option and landfill gas-sourced natural gas is the best alternative when accessible because it significantly (up to 80%) reduces emissions of hazardous gases as well as noise levels (50-98%).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luka Radetić
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, HR-42000 Varaždin, Croatia
| | - Dinko Vujević
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, HR-42000 Varaždin, Croatia
| | - Vitomir Premur
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, HR-42000 Varaždin, Croatia
| | - Ivana Melnjak
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, HR-42000 Varaždin, Croatia
| | - Aleksandra Anić Vučinić
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, HR-42000 Varaždin, Croatia
| |
Collapse
|