Spatial Decision Support Systems for Petrol Forecourts

The chapter considers the experience of GMAP Limited, and other market planning businesses, in providing decision support to major oil companies. Such systems can typically offer many of the basic functions of a geographic information system. However, in order to provide effective solutions to real planning problems, some form of spatial modelling capability is also required. Site ratings, spatial interaction and network optimisation models are amongst the techniques that can help to meet these requirements. The use of such models within a decision support framework is illustrated with reference to the value that can be added by these applications within an applied planning context.