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Path selection by topographic analysis: vector re-classification versus raster fuzzification as spatial multi-criteria using cost-path

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Abstract

This article explores two different methods, vector re-classification and raster fuzzification, for choosing the best railway routes between Shiraz and Yazd in Iran using spatial information systems. The right use of these systems can have significant economic benefits for railways, allowing for better decision-making and more efficient resource allocation. Topography analysis in spatial information systems, including calculating the shortest and optimal route, is a practical and valuable application. The study used satellite images and Google Earth Engine to extract vector or raster maps for the cost-path algorithm. The results of the raster fuzzy approach suggested alternative A (111 km, slope 2%) and alternative B (115 km, slope 25%), while the vector reclassification approach showed alternative C (131 km, slope 28%). After employing semi and non-structure problem-solving, as well as profile and rout topographic analysis, path A was selected as the optimal route. The study concluded that the raster fuzzy approach was more effective in finding railway paths and could provide better results for decision-makers in similar projects.

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(Yes GEE code: https://code.earthengine.google.com/053fbc3ab55214ce960718b27832cfa7).

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Funding

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of GIS-RS and Watershed Management, Meybod Branch, Islamic Azad University, Meaybod, Yazd, Iran

    Ali Akbar Jamali

  2. Department of GIS-RS, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran

    Ali Esmailian

  3. Department of Remote Sensing and GIS, Yazd Branch Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran

    Sadegh Mokhtarisabet

  4. Key Laboratory of Mountain Hazards and Earth Surface Processes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China

    Songtang He

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  1. Ali Akbar Jamali
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  4. Songtang He
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Contributions

AAJ: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Validation, Resources, Data Curation, Software, Writing-Review & Editing, Supervision, and Project administration. AE: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Resources, Data Curation, and Software. SM: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Resources, Data Curation, and Software. SH: Methodology, Investigation, Resources, Data, and Software).

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Correspondence to Ali Akbar Jamali.

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Jamali, A.A., Esmailian, A., Mokhtarisabet, S. et al. Path selection by topographic analysis: vector re-classification versus raster fuzzification as spatial multi-criteria using cost-path. Spat. Inf. Res. 31, 709–719 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41324-023-00539-9

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