Development of a methodology for evaluating air pollution options for improving the air quality in Mexico City

This paper describes a methodology for evaluating air pollution control strategies for Mexico City. The method-ology combines Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) and Multi-Attribute Decision Theory (MADT) to design, evaluate and rank groups of options (single actions) to combat air pollution, considering economic, technical, environmental, social, political and institutional factors. Groups of options or strategies are formed using MILP. These strategies are then evaluated and ranked utilizing MADT. As an example of the capabilities of this methodology, this paper presents the procedure to design strategies and the evaluation and ranking of three of these strategies. This methodology was designed to help authorities in the decision-making process for air pollution control, and was developed specifically for the Mexico City case, although the experience gained in this work can be used to develop similar methodologies for other metropolitan areas throughout the world.