development of a multi attribute decision making model for selection of automatic measurement systems in irrigation networks

application of automatic systems, including discharge measurement technology is one of the effective methods for improving delivery management, water use efficiency, flexibility, and performance of irrigation networks. several aspects such as hydraulic, technical, physical, environmental, economic, social, and managerial, have significant impact on these systems selection. due to diversity of the alternatives and numerous affecting factors, suitable selection of automatic discharge measurement technology is a complex task, which makes it necessary to apply multi attributes models. in this paper, topsis method is used for selection of automatic discharge measurement systems. at the first step, different alternatives for automatic discharge measurement and effective attributes on selection of these systems are identified, introduced and categorized. afterward decision matrix, as the model input, is produced by scoring attributes for all alternatives. the decision making model that used topsis ranking method and entropy weighting method, is developed in matlab software and is run for l1 canal of qazvin irrigation network. the results show that the discharge- depth and velocity-area automatic systems have higher ranking. in addition pressure and floating water level sensor are better than bubbler and ultrasonic options.