AMIS: Development of a GIS/Multicriteria Corridor Planning Methodology
Keiron Bailey
Department of Geography and Regional Development
University of Arizona
Harvill Building Box #2
Tucson, AZ 85721
United States
Tel: 520 621 1652
Fax: 520 621-2889
kdbail1@uky.edu
This paper describes the design and evolution of a GIS-based corridor route planning methodology called Analytic Minimum Impedance Surface (AMIS). A local State Highway Agency (SHA) requested an analytic methodology that would facilitate choice of a route corridor for a section of a proposed Interstate highway connector in the southeastern U.S. The SHA’s specification demanded a robust, quantitative methodology that would both provide comparative information about pre-selected corridors and/or aid in the selection of corridors based on user-defined path inputs or endpoint location specifications. Additionally, the methodology was required to structure and incorporate useful input from a range of stakeholders including SHA employees from various divisions with separate but necessary remits, such as Design and Environmental, and other transportation professionals from the public and private sectors.
Figure 1 shows an enlargement of the study area and displays current road connections. The problem domain is located in a complex karst landscape possessing a variety of landforms and geologic characteristics. Much of the study area is dissected by a dense network of streams and steep gradients and cliffs are common. Although this area is mainly rural, containing large sections of a National Forest, several pockets of development in the study area. The area falls within the Appalachian Regional Commission’s designation and exhibits a series of sub-par socio-economic indicators. In view of the significant recent social and economic impact of auto manufacturing and subcontracting transplants along Interstate corridors in neighboring regions, the potential economic impacts of this major new road link were considered extremely important. Among the key environmental concerns in the region were the future of the karst caves used for recreation while in the northern section several rare avian species are found, including the recently reintroduced red-cockaded woodpecker.