Evaluation Method for Alternative Layout Plans Using the Property of MDS

Each proximity between activities is evaluated for use as input information in layout planning. This paper focuses on the ability to convert the strength of the evaluated proximity values to the appropriate physical distance between each sample activity. Use of multidimensional scaling (MDS), in which activities and proximity values are treated as mass points and this proximity evaluation yields a target plot plan that minimizes Kruskal stress. In this paper, a method of preparing a layout plan based on this plot plan and an absolute evaluation method for each layout plan based on the each Euclidean distance between activities in the plot plan are also proposed. Unlike conventional evaluation methods that can only yield a relative evaluation of alternative layout plans, the proposed method enables the preparation of a layout plan that directly reflects the input information and offers a means of absolute evaluation.