Multi-criteria analysis for dredger dispatching under uncertainty

Dredger dispatching is a complex decision making process in which multiple requirements and uncertain site conditions have to be taken into considerat ion simultaneously, for a specific dredging task. In evaluating the suitabi lity of dredgers, besides quantitative assessments, qualitative assessments are often required to deal with uncertainty, subjectiveness and imprecisio n, which are best represented with fuzzy data. This paper formulates dredge r dispatching as a fuzzy multi-criteria analysis model, and presents an eff ective algorithm for handling both crisp and fuzzy data in a straightforwar d manner. As a result, effective decisions can be made based on consistent evaluation results. An empirical study of a real case in China is conducted to demonstrate the applicability of the model. With its simplicity in both concept and computation, the model can be implemented as an effective deci sion aid in selecting dredgers for specific dredging tasks.