Multimedia network system for landfill siting

This paper describes a series of studies for developing a computerized multimedia network system for landfill siting. Siting analysis for a municipal solid waste landfill is a complex process. Various siting factors and criteria must be carefully analyzed. The landfill capacity crisis is a critical environmental issue to be resolved in many local communities in Taiwan, R.O.C. Appropriate inexpensive computerized tools capable of facilitating the siting analyses are therefore explored in this work. Several sub-systems including a computerized guideline, a geographical information system, a prototypical expert system, spatial optimization and multifactor models and a multimedia network interface had been developed. The entire structure of the system is described in this article, with discussions for the design and development of all sub-systems. The system is made available for 24-hour access from anywhere on the Internet. This networking capability allows a user without tools to utilize the system and to avoid the cost of system installation and training appropriate personnel to manage the system.