Discuss- 6

ITS 832

Chapter 15

Visual Decision Support for Policy Making:Advancing

Policy Analysis withVisualization

Information Technology in a GlobalEconomy

Introduction

· Background

· Approach

· Case Studies

· Optimization

· Social Simulation

· Urban Planning

· Conclusion

Background

· Assessing policy options for societal problems is difficult

· Decision making methods

· Data driven

· Model driven

· Visual decision supports helps in evaluating model output

· Information visualization and visual analytics

· Makes complex results accessible to many

· Policy analysis

· Part of process aimed at solving societal problems

Data Visualization

Policy cycle

Approach

· Characterization of stakeholders

· Policy makers

· Policy analysts

· Modeling experts

· Domain experts

· Public stakeholders

· Bridging knowledge gaps

· With information visualization (IV)

· Cohesive view of model representation

Visual Support for Policy Analysis

Approach, cont’d.

· Synergy effects of applying IV to policy analysis

· Communication - facilitated

· Complexity - reduced

· Subjectivity - reduced

· Validation - improved

· Transparency and reproducibility of results - increased

Case Studies

· Optimization

· Optimization of regional energy plans considering impacts

· Environmental

· Economical

· Social

· Social Simulation

· Simulation of the impact of different policy instruments on the adoption of photovoltaic (PV) panels by homeowners

· Urban planning

· Integration of heterogenous data sources in planning activities

Summary of Case Studies

Conclusion

· Current model output is often difficult to understand

· Not accessible for non-specialists

· Information visualization (IV)

· Makes model output more accessible

· This paper applies IV to policy analysis

· Contributions

· Defined collaborations

· Identified hurdles

· Defined interface methodology