COMPUTER-ASSISTED NEGOTIATIONS OF WATER-RESOURCES CONFLICTS

This paper describes the algorithms within and results obtained using an interactive computer program developed to assist those involved in negotiating agreements among parties having conflicting objectives. Th is Interactive Computer-Assisted Negotiation Support system (ICANS) ca n be used during the negotiation process by opposing parties or by a p rofessional mediator. On the basis of information provided to the prog ram, in confidence, by each party, it can help all parties identify fe asible alternatives, if any exist, that should be preferred to each pa rty's proposal. If such alternatives do not exist, the program can hel p parties develop counter proposals. Through a series of iterations in which each party's input data, assumptions, and preferences may chang e, ICANS can aid each party in their search for a mutually acceptable and preferred agreement. This paper describes the algorithms used for analyzing preferences and for generating alternative feasible agreemen ts. Also presented are the results of some limited experiments involvi ng water resource system development and use conflicts that illustrate the potential of programs such as ICANS.(1)