Flexible Fuzzy Logic Tool for Site Selection
Problem
GIS professionals use their skills to acquire and analyze data to solve myriad questions. While some have cut and dry answers, many do not, including those related to site selection. The site selection process is complicated, and while there are definite wrong answers, there can also be many correct answers, all dependent on spatial and nonspatial factors. These include the quality of ever-changing criteria, the diverse sets of opinions of stakeholders in the decision-making process, and the navigation of an overabundance of tools and knowledge available to solve the question most effectively.
 |  |
 |  |
Solution
For my Master of Geographic Information Systems degree Capstone Project at Penn State University in 2022, I developed a custom flexible geoprocessing tool for ArcGIS Pro that combines the powers of fuzzy logic and Python automation to allow users to select the data and set parameters for their scenarios, while keeping the technically processes automated in the background, in a less daunting, black box configuration.
Next Steps
Following a presentation at the URISA GIS-Pro 2023 conference of the tool and its utility, wherein I solved four problems in two distinct cities, I'd like to share this with the wider community to get feedback on how to improve the tool for more general use, further demonstrate its utility in real-life scenarios, and hopefully have it added as a native tool in a future release of ArcGIS Pro.
 |  |
 |  |
The tool comes with help text to guide first-time users; however, I'm happy to answer any questions you may have and discuss any suggestions you may have here or via LinkedIn.