Cartographic Modelling and Multi-Criteria Analysis (CMCA) for Rail Transit Suitability.

Rail transportation planning is a continuous, multi-phase, functioning scale that is based on reconstructing the spatial system, thus contributing to build a more quality-focused, long-term-oriented and balanced approach. This paper presents cartographic modelling and multi-criteria analysis (CMCA) for the optimum route/station location in accordance with selected criteria and constraints for rail transit system planning. The methodology is based on overlay analysis (cartographic modelling) to combine diverse criteria maps and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method for criteria weighting. The purpose of the study is to examine a GIS multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework by considering Stream, Geology, Slope, Land use and Population decision criteria. The decision modelling framework conceives an additional prominent approach by co-producing with the public, especially for underserved areas of low socio-economic status and public user expectations in the railway transport planning process. This model applied to a candidate metro line referred to as M 18 (Başakşehir-Esenyurt-Beylikdüzü) with eight railway stations for the preliminary stage evaluation. The outcomes of this research will close the gap by establishing a novel suitability framework which can be used as a preliminary analysis for transforming and developing urban rail transit networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]