Abstract
In this paper, we develop a multiobjective model to depict the tradeoffs involved when locating one or more undesirable facilities to service a region. We assume that the region requires a certain capacity of service, and that this capacity can be met by building a combination of different-sized facilities. Examples could include sanitary landfills, incinerators, and power-generating stations. Our objectives are to minimize the total cost of the facilities located, the total opposition to the facilities, and the maximum disutility imposed on any individual. Opposition and disutility are assumed to be nonlinearly decreasing functions of distance, and increasing functions of facility size. We formulate our model as a multiobjective mixed-integer program, and generate the set of efficient solutions using an enumeration algorithm. Our code can solve realistically sized problems on a microcomputer. We give an example to illustrate the tradeoffs between the three objectives, which are inevitable in such a location problem.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
R.L. Church and T.L. Bell, Incorporating preferences in location-allocation models, Geograph. Persp. 48(1981)22–34.
J.L. Cohon, C. ReVelle, J. Current, T. Eagles, R. Eberhart and R. Church, Application of a multiobjective facility location model to power plant siting in a six-state region of the US, Comput. Oper. Res. (1980)107–123.
R. Dutton, G. Hinman and C.B. Millham, The optimal location of nuclear-power facilities in the Pacific Northwest, Oper. Res. 22(1974)478–487.
E. Erkut and S. Neuman, A survey of analytical models for locating undesirable facilities, Eur. J. Oper. Res. 40(1989)275–291.
E. Erkut, The discretep-dispersion problem, Eur. J. Oper. Res. 46(1990)48–60.
E. Erkut and M. Tarimcilar, On sensitivity analysis in the analytic hierarchy process, IMA J. Math. Appl. Bus. Ind. 3(1991)61–83.
R. Gopalan, K.S. Kolluri, R. Batta and M.H. Karwan, Modeling equity of risk in the transportation of hazardous materials, Oper. Res. 38(1990)961–973.
J. Halpern and O. Maimon, Accord and conflict among several objectives in locational decisions on tree networks, in:Locational Analysis of Public Facilities, ed. J.-F. Thisse and H.G. Zoller (North-Holland, 1983), pp. 301–314.
R.L. Keeney,Siting Energy Facilities (Academic Press, New York, 1980).
G. List and P. Mirchandani, An integrated network/planar multiobjective model for routing and siting hazardous materials and wastes, Transp. Sci. 25(1991)146–156.
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management, Bureau of Solid Waste Disposal, Hazardous waste management in Massachusetts (1983).
D. Morell, Siting and the politics of equity, Hazardous Waste 1(1984)555–571.
K.E. Portney,Siting Hazardous Waste Treatment Facilities: The NIMBY Syndrome (Auburn House, Westport, CT, 1991).
S.J. Ratick and A.L. White, A risk-sharing model for locating noxious facilities, Environ. Planning B: Planning and Design 15(1988)165–179.
R.E. Steuer,Multiple Criteria Optimisation: Theory, Computation and Applications (Wiley, New York, 1986).
A.L. White and S.J. Ratick, Risk, compensation and regional equity in locating hazardous facilities, Papers Regional Sci. Assoc. 67(1989)29–42.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada (OGP 25481), and by the Nova Fellowship of the Faculty of Business, University of Alberta.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Erkut, E., Neuman, S. A multiobjective model for locating undesirable facilities. Ann Oper Res 40, 209–227 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02060478
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02060478