Using system dynamics in decision support for sustainable waste management

Abstract

This thesis proposes a decision support approach to aid municipal decision makers in setting their strategies about the building of waste treatment/disposal facilities. It conjointly uses two methods of SD (System Dynamics) and AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process). A SD simulation model is formulated simulating the long-term impacts of each alternative plan, on the aspects of cost, environment, recycling, and social involvement. The AHP method is used to make a multi-criteria evaluation of each alternative based on their simulated performance, removing much of the subjectivity involved in the decision-making. The decision support approach is targeted at macro-level planning and should be viewed as being complementary to other traditional planning tools used for more detailed planning.