The uses of geoprocessing techniques in the identification of locations suitable for the implementation of airport infrastructure in the North Vector of the RMBH

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The inspiration for this article came from a dissertation paper written for a specialization course in Geoprocessing undertaken by one of the authors. That work studied the identification, by way of geoprocessing techniques, of areas most suitable for implementing airport infrastructure within a specific region north of the city of Belo Horizonte, capital of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This paper follows the same issues and concerns. The demands for transport and airport services in many locations around the world has led field specialist to rely on the planning of procedures to resolve future impasses, as well as impasses already reached. The advantages of implementing rigorous assessments, regarding soil use and occupation towards specific goals are numerous. For instance, the choice for the ideal location in a municipality for installing structures, potentially leading to a better use of space and a better physical and territorial ordering for implementing urban infrastructures. Consequently, the acceptance and use of geoprocessing techniques in urban planning has gradually increased, leading to the implementation of a number of geoprocessing techniques and tools. Therefore, in the search for suitable locations for implementing a larger airport capacity in the North Vector of the RMBH, geoprocessing was used, as it is believed that it serve as an important aid for that sort of decisions. Objectives: The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the legitimacy and validity of applying geoprocessing in the identification of adequate locations for implementing airport infrastructure. Methodology: The search for adequate locations for the installation of airport infrastructure was undertaken from a regional centre, with a modal project. To this end the analysis adopted a radial profile. The variables mapped where identified through consultation with specialists in airport design, construction and2 management. The process used was Multi-criteria Analysis, with which it was possible to evaluate different variables, as well as indicate locations which are most suitable for the installation of the airport infrastructure. Maps were produced by the cross-referencing of technical, economical and operational maps, since they are, in principal, the most relevant to evaluate those locations which are the most appropriate for the installation of the airport infrastructure in the area considered. This choice of analysis was based on the belief that Multi-criteria analysis allows more rigorous analyses, as it incorporates and associates a larger range of information, promoting a more holistic and integrated comprehension of the region under consideration. Results: According to the results, the least viable locations for implementing airport infrastructure are found more than 20000m from Belo Horizonte, as they provided inadequate road access. However, by comparing predictions with reality, we may perceive that the beneficial potential of the operational variables for North Vector was not totally evaluated, when the present airport was constructed. Conclusions: The conjoint of geoprocessing techniques detailed represent a tool that can dialogue with specialized knowledge, as well as adapt itself to environmental variations. This was verified in the present study, especially when the Decision Tree was calibrated and the analysis for the Final Calibrated Synthesis map was carried out. Therefore, bearing in mind its characteristics, geoprocessing may be utilized in prognostic studies, highlighting advantages such as lower costs for the implementing of enterprises and requiring less time for identifying viable locations.