Application of Hybrid Multiple Attributes Decision Making (HMADM) Method in Site Selection of Suitable Dry Port Construction: Khon Kaen Case study

Abstract

Dry port is an important freight transportation infrastructure system that supports the successful development of Thailand's the double-track railway. Systems of Thailand. Dry port can increase the efficiency of the containers transportation, reduces goods damages and losses, reduces transportation and logistics costs, reduces road accidents, reduces various environmental impacts and reduces greenhouse gases emissions. The selection of a suitable dry port construction location is complicated process, an ill-structured decision-making procedures and must consider multiple factors. This decision-making process is therefore relevant to the Multiple Attributes Decision Making (MADM) method. This research applied the Hybrid Multiple Attributes Decision Making methods (HMADM) to screen the alternative locations to be developed as dry port in the Khon Kaen, province based on the philosophy of sustainable development. In the HMADM application, AHP was adapted to estimate the relative weights of the determined criteria, FSM was used to convert linguistic (fuzzy) scores into numerical (crisp) scores, and TOPSIS was applied to calculate the composite scores of all alternative sites. The main criteria considered were engineering suitability, economic development, social responsibility and environmental protection. Twelve selected experts were directly interviewed, based on the research findings, Non Pha Yom station area in Nam Phong District of Khon Kaen Province is the most suitable location for dry port construction.