Modeling, simulation, and visualization capabilities for complex local/regional government decision support

Public expectations for problem resolution and future community vitality can only be met by the development and rapid deployment of complex decision support systems which digest complexity in ways that ordinary citizens, elected or voting but possessed of common sense, can arrive at sustainable solutions to community challenges. The City of Scottsdale is developing such capabilities in collaboration with industry/NASA and reports several findings: 1) the public decision process differs markedly from military or aerospace time-critical scenarios; 2) an articulate minority may prevail in public discussions where fact becomes subordinate to emotion; 3) complexity modeling does not have to be diluted to be of practical value, but the final output, or visualization component, must present results clearly and within the comfort envelope of the user(s). This presents a magnificent opportunity for complex systems, properly configured for human interaction, to bring value to all communities.