DECISION SUPPORT FOR REGIONALIZATION - A SPATIAL DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR REGIONALIZING SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEMS

The problem of finding an optimal number of regions, and service locations within each region, to serve a dispersed geographical pattern of demand is treated as an interactive location-allocation modeling problem. Distinctive elements of the problem involve controlling the location of region boundaries, solving for multiple objectives that involve minimizing average and maximum distances to clients from central facilities, ensuring that a minimum number of clients are served in each region, and, under user-defined circumstances, using existing facilities in selected locations. A prototype microcomputer-based spatial decision-support system is described. We also discuss its use by members of an Iowa state government Workgroup charged with developing recommendations for the geographical reorganization of educational services provided to Iowa school districts from central facilities.