Optimal Urban Hospital Location Using F-ANP, F-WASPAS Methods, and Spatial Analysis: A Case Study of Arak City

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Industrial Engineering Department, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran.

2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Arak University of Technology, Arak, Iran.

3 Department of Industrial Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Dorud, Iran.

10.22116/jiems.2026.593466.1643
Abstract
Selecting optimal locations for health and medical facilities is critical for minimizing financial burdens and improving public health outcomes. Hospital siting directly influences accessibility, service efficiency, and overall community well being. This study develops an integrated, uncertainty aware framework to identify suitable hospital locations in Arak City, Iran. The approach combines Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with advanced fuzzy multi criteria decision making techniques, including the Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (F ANP) and the Fuzzy Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (F WASPAS). Site selection criteria were defined through a comprehensive literature review, national regulatory guidelines, expert input, and local geographic considerations. F ANP was used to derive interdependent criteria weights, while GIS employed multiple fuzzy operators to generate spatial suitability maps. Subsequently, F WASPAS ranked five candidate sites based on their aggregated fuzzy scores. The results identify the most feasible and accessible areas for new hospital development and demonstrate the value of integrating fuzzy logic with spatial analysis in data scarce environments. The proposed framework offers a robust decision support tool for urban planners and health policymakers. Future research may incorporate alternative fuzzy numbers, additional criteria, and broader regional applications to further validate and extend the model.

Keywords


References
Aroge, S. K., Emmanuel, A. B., Babatunde, A. N., & Sola, A. J. (2023). Combination of GIS, MCDA and AHP for the Selection of Most Suitable Location for Primary Health Care Facilities. American Journal of Geospatial Technology, 2(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajgt.v2i1.1820  
Badalpur M, Nurbakhsh E. 2019. An application of WASPAS method in risk qualitative analysis: a case study of a road construction project in Iran. International Journal of Construction Management.1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2019.1595354
Barzehkar M, Dinan NM, Mazaheri S, Tayebi RM, Brodie GI. 2019. Landfill site selection using GIS-based multi-criteria evaluation (case study: SaharKhiz Region located in Gilan Province in Iran). SN Applied Sciences. 1(9):1-11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-019-1109-9
Benmoussa, K., Hamdadou, D., & Roukh, Z. E. A. (2022). GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Decision-Support System and Machine Learning for Hospital Site Selection: Case Study Oran, Algeria. International Journal of Software Science and Computational Intelligence (IJSSCI), 14(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJSSCI.28559
Boyacı, A. Ç., & Şişman, A. (2022). Pandemic hospital site selection: a GIS-based MCDM approach employing Pythagorean fuzzy sets. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(2), 1985-1997. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-15703-7
Dinan NM, Keshtkar M, Mokhtari Z. 2020. Site selection of a waste incineration plant using integrated fuzzy-ANP and weighted sum-ANP in Qazvin Province, Iran. International Journal of Environment and Waste Management. 25(3):381-394. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJEWM.2020.106296
Ding, Z., Niu, J., Liu, S., Wu, H., & Zuo, J. (2020). An approach integrating geographic information system and building information modelling to assess the building health of commercial buildings. Journal of Cleaner Production. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120532
Drezner Z, Klamroth K, Schöbel A, Wesolowsky GO. 2002. The weber problem. Facility location: Applications and theory.1-36.
Dunne G. 2018. Arab M, Kavosi Z, Ravangard R et al., translators. How is the hospital organization and how it works. 3 ed. Tehran: Jahad University Press, University of Medical Sciences, Islamic Republic of Iran Army.
Eren, E., & Katanalp, B. Y. (2022). Fuzzy-based GIS approach with new MCDM method for bike-sharing station site selection according to land-use types. Sustainable Cities and Society, 76, 103434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2021.103434
Fan J, Yu S, Yu M, Chu J, Tian B, Li W, Wang H, Hu Y, Chen C. 2020. Optimal selection of design scheme in cloud environment: A novel hybrid approach of multi-criteria decision-making based on F-ANP and F-QFD. Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems. 38(3):3371-3388. https://doi.org/10.3233/JIFS-190630
Fang-yu, F., Qelichi, M. M., Namjooyan, F., & Asadi, A. (2022). A Comparative Study on Site Selection Methods for Modeling Hospital Locating in Urban Area, A Case Study in Iran. In International Conference on Computational Science and Its Applications (pp. 546-563). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10545-6_37
Ghoushchi, S. J., Bonab, S. R., Ghiaci, A. M., Haseli, G., Tomaskova, H., & Hajiaghaei-Keshteli, M. (2021). Landfill site selection for medical waste using an integrated SWARA-WASPAS framework based on spherical fuzzy set. Sustainability, 13(24), 13950. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413950
Heydarpour, S., Seyyed Esfahani, S. H., & Khorshidvand, B. (2022). Providing a DEA and AHP hybrid model to evaluate contractors’ performance (Case study: Zarand Iranian Steel Co. (ZISCO)). Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management Studies, 9(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.22116/jiems.2022.326598.1473
Hu, J., Peng, C., Hu, Y. et al. Accessibility evaluation and multi-scenario optimization of medical services in underdeveloped city driven by multi-source data and latest policies for China. Sci Rep 14, 25707 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76518-3
Khajavi, A.; Reza, M.; Hosseinzadeh, F. (2021). Solar PV Power Plant Site Selection Using GIS-FFDEA Based Approach with Application in Iran. J. Renew. Energy Environ. 8, 28–43. https://doi.org/10.30501/jree.2020.230490.1110
MacCrimmon KR. 1968. Decisionmaking among multiple-attribute alternatives: a survey and consolidated approach. Rand Corp Santa Monica Ca.
Majid, M., & Mir, B. A. (2021). Landfill site selection using GIS based multi criteria evaluation technique. A case study of Srinagar city, India. Environmental Challenges, 3, 100031. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2021.100031
Memari, P., & Mohammadi, S. S. (2022). A multi-criteria location selection model based on fuzzy ANP and Z-number VIKOR methods: A case study. International Journal of Information and Decision Sciences, 14(2), 133-148. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJIDS.2022.123629
Mohammadi J, Poorghayoomi H, Ghanbari M. 2016. Spatial Analysis and Site Selection fueling stations in Kazeroon. Research and Urban Planning. 7(24):105-120.
Murad A, Faruque F, Naji A, Tiwari A, Qurnfulah E, Rahman M, et al. (2024) Optimizing health service location in a highly urbanized city: Multi criteria decision making and P-Median problem models for public hospitals in Jeddah City, KSA. PLoS ONE 19(1): e0294819. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294819
Nasseri, S. H., Baghban, A., & Mahdavi, I. (2019). A new approach for solving fuzzy multi-objective quadratic programming of water resource allocation problem. Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management Studies, 6(2), 78–102. https://doi.org/10.22116/JIEMS.2019.92259
Pourtaheri M, Fatahi A, Nemati R, Adinehvand E. 2016. Explanation of the Advantages of Using WASPAS Technique on the Positioning of Tourism-Target Villages (Case Study of Tourism Targeted Villages of Lorestan Province). Space Planning and Planning. 20(2):114-137.
Ramezani, S., & Naderi, K. (2018). A multi-objective optimization model for supply chain network design: A case study of Bonny Chow Co. Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management Studies, 5(1), 26–42. https://doi.org/10.22116/JIEMS.2018.66502
Rezayee M. 2020. Hospital Site Selection in Iskandar Malaysia using GIS-Multi Criteria Analysis. International Journal of Basic Sciences and Applied Computing (IJBSAC). 10(2).
Saeidi, S. (2024). A two-objective mathematical model for solving the facility layout problem using fuzzy goal programming and Artificial Bee Colony optimization. Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management Studies, 11(1), 127–139. https://doi.org/10.22116/jiems.2024.432953.1544
Saghari, M., Ehsanifar, M., & Babaei, A. (2020). Identification and Prioritization of Optimal Places for locating urban hospitals by Combining the F-ANP, F-WASPAS methods, and GIS output in the ArcGIS Environment: Case Study: Arak City. Theory of Approximation and Applications, 1(2), 13.
Shafiee, M. (2022). Wind Energy Development Site Selection Using an Integrated Fuzzy ANP-TOPSIS Decision Model. Energies, 15(12), 4289. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15124289
Shahbod, N., Bayat, M., Mansouri, N., Nouri, J., & Ghoddusi, J. (2020). Application of delphi method and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process in modeling environmental performance assessment in urban medical centers. Environmental Energy and Economic Research, 4(1), 43–56. https://doi.org/10.22097/eeer.2020.197686.1103
Tripathi, A. K., Agrawal, S., & Gupta, R. D. (2020). A conceptual framework of public health SDI. In J. K. Ghosh&I. da Silva (Eds.), Applications of geomatics in civil engineering: Lecture notes in civil engineering (Vol. 33, pp. 479–487). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7067-0_37.
Tripathi, A. K., Agrawal, S., & Gupta, R. D. (2021). Comparison of GIS-based AHP and fuzzy AHP methods for hospital site selection: a case study for Prayagraj City, India. GeoJournal, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-021-10445-y
Turskis Z, Zavadskas EK, Antucheviciene J, Kosareva N. 2015. A hybrid model based on fuzzy AHP and fuzzy WASPAS for construction site selection. International Journal of Computers communications & control. 10(6):113-128. https://etalpykla.vilniustech.lt/handle/123456789/112670
Varesi, H.R. Shiran,GH. Azizi Hasanvand, H. (2016). Site selection of bus stops by ANP model and fuzzy logic in GIS (A case study :of Khorramabad City). Research and Urban Planning. 6 (23). 55-76.
Velez, F. F., Colman, S.,  Kauffman, L., Ruetsch, C., & Anastassopoulos, K. (2021). Real-world reduction in healthcare resource utilization following treatment of opioid use disorder with reSET-O, a novel prescription digital therapeutic. Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research, 21(1), 69–76. https://doi.org/10.1080/14737167. 2021.1840357
Yousefi, H., Motlagh, S. G., & Montazeri, M. (2022). Multi-Criteria Decision-Making System for Wind Farm Site-Selection Using Geographic Information System (GIS): Case Study of Semnan Province, Iran. Sustainability, 14(13), 7640. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137640
Zandi I, Pahlavani P, Bigdeli B, Lotfata A, Alesheikh AA, Garau C. GIS-Enabled Multi-Criteria Assessment for Hospital Site Suitability: A Case Study of Tehran. Sustainability. 2024; 16(5):2079. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16052079
Zavadskas EK, Turskis Z, Antucheviciene J, Zakarevicius A. 2012. Optimization of weighted aggregated sum product assessment. Elektronika ir elektrotechnika. 122(6):3-6. https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.eee.122.6.1810  
Seikh, Mijanur Rahaman, and Utpal Mandal. "Multiple attribute decision-making based on 3, 4-quasirung fuzzy sets." Granular Computing (2022): 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41066-021-00308-9
Seikh, Mijanur Rahaman, and Utpal Mandal. "Multiple attribute group decision making based on quasirung orthopair fuzzy sets: Application to electric vehicle charging station site selection problem." Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence 115 (2022): 105299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engappai.2022.105299
Mandal, Utpal, and Mijanur Rahaman Seikh. "Interval-valued spherical fuzzy MABAC method based on Dombi aggregation operators with unknown attribute weights to select plastic waste management process." Applied Soft Computing 145 (2023): 110516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asoc.2023.110516
Seikh, Mijanur Rahaman, and Utpal Mandal. "q-Rung orthopair fuzzy Archimedean aggregation operators: application in the site selection for software operating units." Symmetry 15, no. 9 (2023): 1680. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym15091680
 

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 14 November 2026