Evaluation of logistic villages location selection in Turkey by using analytic hierarchy process and electre methods

A method that can be used to reduce logistic problems and consequently traffic congestion for cities that are overpopulated and have reached a saturation level; to balance transportation demand between different transportation modes by developing infrastructure and to establish special centers where logistics activities will be carried out in an integrated way. These private centers have been viewed and considered as logistic villages since the 1970s in Europe and in our country since the TCDD initiative in 2006. Within the scope of this study, general information about logistic villages is given and it is aimed to develop a preference rank for the logistic villages either established already planned or building stage in terms of construction preference. In order to be able to do this ranking; firstly, 5 criteria which will be effective in the selection of the location of the village and 26 sub-criteria in total have been determined and a questionnaire study was prepared by using these criteria. Using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), criteria weights were applied to a 17-person conglomerate of public, private and academicians working in the field of logistics. For these weights, Microsoft Excel and Expert Choice programs were used and these criteria were determined with respect to their importance by analyzing in Microsoft Excel program using ELECTRE method which is one of the most criterion decision making methods and ranking the logistic villages according to the mentioned criteria. Some evaluations and suggestions have been made based on this ranking results. Our aim here is to provide an insight to the decision makers and contributing to the literature for the logistic villages which are at least in the process of construction.