Method for Prioritization of Geospatial Data with a Multicriteria Approach through the Neutrosophic Analytic Hierarchy Process in Spatial Ontology Environments

Abstract

The automatic integration of heterogeneous geospatial sources, which often exhibit low levels of reliability, within spatial ontologies requires the establishment of prioritization mechanisms when conflicts arise or quality issues are identified. However, the existing literature in this domain largely lacks methodological frameworks capable of systematically and analytically evaluating the multidimensional reliability and quality of such sources. This gap results in deficiencies in the spatial relationships that shape the final product. To address this limitation, a methodology based on the Neutrosophic Analytic Hierarchy Process (NAHP) is proposed, aimed at determining source prioritization by incorporating variables such as geometric accuracy, metadata availability and accessibility, update frequency, and topological consistency. The method was validated in two application scenarios—one in the United States and another in Singapore—through a reliability verification process supported by a neutrosophic comparison matrix, which yielded consistent results even in the presence of unavoidable uncertainties. The findings reveal a significant improvement in the coherence and integrity of the resulting ontology, which not only enhances the efficiency of spatial attribute generation but also reduces semantic inconsistencies prone to transformation. This contribution enriches the literature on neutrosophic and spatial ontologies, offering a structured methodological framework and practical tools for geographic information management and retrieval systems, while opening new research avenues on integration and the treatment of semantic uncertainty.