Fuzzy multiple-criteria decision-making: Application to AML project selection

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Abstract
In this paper, we present the application of fuzzy multiple-criteria decision-making to the problem of abandoned mine land (AML) project selection. More specifically, the category of multiple-criteria techniques known as fuzzy ranking methods are used to rank projects under conditions where the criteria of selection are imprecisely defined and the project scores for the criteria are subjectively determined. An experiment was designed in which 14 experts contributed their knowledge of AML project criteria to the fuzzy ranking methods through three questionnaires. The first two questionnaires provided the essential information for the methods to form a fuzzy mathematical ranking relationship. The third questionnaire then provided the experts' scores for each of the chosen criteria for eleven candidate reclamation projects chosen from Pennsylvania's AML project inventory. In addition, the third questionnaire also sought overall project rankings from the experts to compare with the rankings provided by the fuzzy ranking methods. The results appear to prove that fuzzy rankings methods can satisfactorily rank projects of this type and will generally produce results similar to that produced by the experts. While not necessarily better than human rankings, the rankings of the mathematical methods may increase the objectivity in decision-making even though bias in the original data cannot be eliminated.

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