Visualization-based Reasonable Goals Method and its Web Application for Supporting e-Participation in Environmental Decision Making
Alexander V. Lotov
State University-Higher School of Economics, Russia;
Lomonosov Moscow State University; and
Dorodnicyn Computing Center of Russian Academy of Sciences
Vavilova str., 40, Moscow 119991 Russia
E-mail: Lotov1@ccas.ru
Tel. (7-095)135-1209, fax (7-095)135-6159

Abstract 
The Reasonable Goals Method is a visualization-based decision support tool that can supports selecting from a large finite number of decision alternatives in the case of three to seven selection criteria. The method introduced in (Gusev and Lotov, 1994) is based on the interactive visualization of the efficiency (Pareto) frontier of the convex hull of the criterion points associated with the decision alternatives. The efficient tradeoffs given by the frontier of the convex hull are considered as an approximation of the efficient tradeoffs for the finite variety of criterion points. To inform the decision maker on the proxy efficient tradeoffs, visualization of the Pareto frontier is used. The visualization is performed by the Interactive Decision Maps technique, which displays various decision maps in on-line interaction with the user and by applying the computer animation. The combination of the Interactive Decision Maps and the Reasonable Goals Method (IDM/RGM) helps the user to understand the proxy efficient tradeoffs and identify a preferred combination of criterion values (reasonable goal) at the frontier of the convex hull. In response, the computer provides a short list of decision alternatives that are close to the identified goal. Environmental applications of the IDM/RGM include local water management, national energy planning, etc. (see Lotov, Bushenkov, and Kamenev, 2004). 
The World Wide Web provides new opportunities to involve the lay stakeholders in the environmental participatory decision making. In addition to informing the public on various data related to environmental problems, Web can be used for the analysis of decision problems. Several Web-based multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) tools were developed during last 10 years (see e.g. Miettinen and Mäkelä, 2000, Mustajoki and Hämäläinen, 2000, Lotov, Kistanov, and Zaitsev, 2004). A tool applies usually one of three approaches used now for developing the MCDA techniques: a priori preference methods; interactive methods; and a posteriori preference (Pareto frontier) methods (see e.g. Miettinen, 1999). For example, the Web tool developed in (Mustajoki and Hämäläinen, 2000) starts with modeling the user’s preferences while the tool described in (Miettinen and Mäkelä, 2000) applies an interactive procedure, in the framework of which the user expresses his/her preferences in the process of considering single efficient criterion points. In contrast to these approaches, the IDM/RGM does not deal with the user’s preferences. It means that the user is not asked any question – his/her activities are restricted to receiving the efficient tradeoff information. He/she may want to identify a preferred goal, but is not obliged to do it. 
In the form of the Web application server, the IDM/RGM technique was coded in 2000 (Lotov, Kistanov, and Zaitsev, 2004). The Web application server is based on the client-server architecture and uses Java applets and servelets. The user has first to prepare a table of alternative decisions in a simple form and to paste it in HTML form. This starts the server, which is coded in C++ and can work in UNIX or WINDOWS environment. The server computes the polyhedral approximation of the criterion points and transmits it to the user along with the Java applet that provides its interactive visualization. So, visualization is executed at the user’s computer. The reasonable goal is identified by a click of computer mouse at a convenient frontier. The applet transmits the goal to the server, and the server returns a small number of selected alternatives to the user. It is important that the user can select these alternatives independently from mass media. By this, lay stakeholders obtain better understanding of the problem and can develop personal preferred strategies for solution of the problem. 
It is clear that lay stakeholders usually have minimal knowledge on the ways how to solve environmental problems. The gap among knowledge and political actions of lay stakeholders may be extremely dangerous. The IDM/RGM-based Web tools can help to avoid such situations by supporting the lay stakeholders in the process of exploration of the environmental problems and in basing their political activities related to the final decision making at a better understanding of the issues. 
Real-life application of the Web application server for supporting environmental e-participation was started recently in the framework of the Werra River Project financed by the German federal government. The Participatory DSS developed at the Ruhr-University, Bochum (see Schumann et al., 2004) is aimed at planning the environmental development of the Werra River basin. The IDM/RGM-based Web server is a part of the DSS (along with a Web-based GIS and other Web-based tools), which is used for selecting a small number of river management plans from a large list of possible plans. The Web server is now mastered by administrators of the basin. According to the requirements of the European Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC), people living in the Werra River basin will have access to the DSS. 
Modification of the IDM/RGM for supporting the decision making in the case of risk and uncertainty was started recently. Using the Web application server, one can apply the IDM/RGM for informing lay stakeholders concerning the role of risks and uncertainty in particular environmental decision problems. 
References
Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000.
Gusev, D., and Lotov, A. (1994). Methods for decision support in finite choice problems. In: Ivanilov, Ju. (ed.) Operations Research: Models, Systems, Decisions. Moscow: Computer Centre of RAS, 15-43 (in Russian). 
Lotov, A.V., Bushenkov, V.A., and Kamenev, G.K. (2004). Interactive Decision Maps. Approximation and Visualization of Pareto Frontier. Kluwer Academic Publishers: Boston.
Lotov, A., Kistanov, A., and Zaitsev, A. (2004) Visualization-based Data Mining Tool and its Web application. In: Y. Shi, W. Xu, and Z. Chen (Eds.), Data Mining and Knowledge Management. Chinese Academy of Sciences Symposium CASDMKD 2004 (Beijing, China, July 12-14, 2004), Revised Paper Series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Subseries: Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence, Vol.  3327, 2004, XIII, 263 p., ISBN: 3-540-23987-1, Springer-Verlag: Berlin, Heidelberg.
Miettinen, K., and Mäkelä, M.M. (2000). Interactive Multiobjective Optimization System WWW-NIMBUS on the Internet. Computers & Operations Research, 27(7-8), 709--723.
Mustajoki, J., Hämäläinen, R.P. (2000). Web-HIPRE: Global decision support by value tree and AHP analysis. INFOR 38(3), 208-220.
Schumann, A., Dietrich, J., and Lotov, A. (2004). Workflow Oriented Participatory Decision Support for Integrated River Basin Management.
http://www.elet.polimi.it/IFAC_TC_Environment/venice2004/programme/programme.htm
Related Web links
Author’s department home page: 
	Alexander V. Lotov: http://www.ccas.ru/mmes/mmeda
Software used in the project:
Application server RGDB: http://www.ccas.ru/mmes/mmeda/rgdb/index.htm
Project Web page:
Management of the Werra River Basin project: http://www.flussgebiet-werra.de
http://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/hydrology/index.html?D/Lehre/hywawisemi/hywawisemi.htm