OPTIMIZATION OF CORS STATION PLACEMENT USING MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS: AN AHP-BASED GIS APPROACH FOR UZBEKISTAN

Abstract

The establishment of a dense and optimally distributed Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) network is a fundamental requirement for achieving high-precision GNSS positioning, geodetic monitoring, and spatial data infrastructure development. In countries with complex topography, seismic activity, and uneven population distribution, the placement of CORS stations must be based on a comprehensive, multi-criteria evaluation rather than uniform spacing alone. This study presents an integrated Geographic Information System (GIS) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) framework for optimizing the spatial distribution of CORS stations across the territory of Uzbekistan. Six key thematic criteria-agricultural land use, population density, existing CORS coverage, seismic hazard, digital elevation model (DEM), and terrain slope-were standardized, reclassified, weighted, and integrated into a composite suitability index. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach effectively identifies priority zones for new CORS station deployment, particularly in densely populated, agriculturally intensive, and seismically active regions with limited current coverage. The proposed methodology provides a replicable and scalable decision-support tool for national geodetic authorities and contributes to the advancement of evidence-based geodetic network planning.