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Comparison of Different Multi Criteria Decision-Making Models in Prioritizing Flood Management Alternatives

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Abstract

Recent increases in life loss, destruction and property damages caused by flood at global scale, have inevitably highlighted the pivotal considerations of sustainable development through flood risk management. Throughout the paper, a practical framework to prioritize the flood risk management alternatives for Gorganrood River in Iran was applied. Comparison between multi criteria decision making (MCDM) models with different computational mechanisms provided an opportunity to obtain the most conclusive model. Non-parametric stochastic tests, aggregation models and sensitivity analysis were employed to investigate the most suitable ranking model for the case study. The outcomes of these mentioned tools illustrated that ELimination and Et Choice Translating Reality (ELECTRE III), a non-compensatory model, stood superior to the others. Moreover, Eigen-vector’s performance for assigning weights to the criteria was proved by the application of Kendall Tau Correlation Coefficient Test. From the technical point of view, the highest priority among the criteria belonged to a social criteria named Expected Average Number of Casualties per year. Furthermore, an alternative with pre and post disaster effectiveness was determined as the top-rank measure. This alternative constituted flood insurance plus flood warning system. The present research illustrated that ELECTRE III could deal with the complexity of flood management criteria. Hence, this MCDM model would be an effective tool for dealing with complex prioritization issues.

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Abbreviations

MCDM:

Multi criteria decision making

VIKOR:

VlseKriterijumska optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje

TOPSIS:

Technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution

ELECTRE I and ELECTRE III:

Elimination et choice translating reality

EANC:

Expected average number of casualties per year

SCCT:

Spearman correlation coefficient test

SCC:

Spearman correlation coefficients

SAW:

Simple additive weighing

M-TOPSIS:

Modified TOPSIS

AHP:

Analytical hierarchy process

CP:

Compromise programming

EAD:

Expected annual damage

KTCCT:

Kendall tau correlation coefficient test

KTCC:

Kendall tau correlation coefficient

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge insightful comments from the anonymous reviewers and the associate editor on the previous version of the manuscript.

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  1. University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Nastaran Chitsaz & Mohammad Ebrahim Banihabib

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  1. Nastaran Chitsaz
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  2. Mohammad Ebrahim Banihabib
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Correspondence to Nastaran Chitsaz.

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Chitsaz, N., Banihabib, M.E. Comparison of Different Multi Criteria Decision-Making Models in Prioritizing Flood Management Alternatives. Water Resour Manage 29, 2503–2525 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-015-0954-6

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