"}],"short_description":"Model Comparison interface let\u2019s you analyze various what-if suitability modeling scenarios. You don't need to rely on a single solution.","flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"When creating a suitability model, there is often a desire to produce a single definitive solution. However, by exploring a series of what-if scenarios, you can gain deeper insights into various alternatives that can inform your final decision. This is precisely the purpose of the new Model Comparison interface<\/a> in the Suitability Modeler in ArcGIS Pro version 3.6\u2014 experiment with different scenarios and analyze their effects.<\/p>\n Can you relate to this? After developing a suitability model, do you find yourself questioning what might have happened if you had prioritized the environmental objective over the cost objective? Or perhaps you wonder if including distance from streams as a criterion would have made a difference. Within the model, do you contemplate whether to use the MSSmall versus the Small transformation function, or whether adjusting the weight from 1.2 to 1.5 would yield better results? We all wonder these things.<\/p>\n To understand the impact of different decision strategies, vary the objectives and focus of the model. To address the inherent subjectivity of the modeling process, consider altering the transformation functions and weight parameters. To examine the uncertainty of how a subject responds to its environment, modify the criteria within the model. By running different scenarios and comparing the results, you can gain valuable insights into your modeling decisions.<\/p>\n Since a suitability model relies on individual perspectives and interpretations, there is no objective measure to determine the best model or scenario. Instead, we can identify the similarities and differences among them.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s explore how the Model Comparison interface can be utilized to examine various what-if scenarios. We will specifically investigate its application in the preliminary siting of five early warning emergency sirens in a flood-prone area.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2954071,"id":2954071,"title":"Landuse","filename":"Landuse.png","filesize":2648158,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Landuse.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/spatial-analyst\/analytics\/exploring-what-if-scenarios-using-the-model-comparison-interface-in-the-suitability-modeler\/landuse-2","alt":"The study site with two intersecting rivers","author":"7161","description":"","caption":"The study site features two intersecting rivers, with the primary population located just north of the junction. Additionally, there are smaller population pockets along various sections of both rivers.","name":"landuse-2","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2954070,"date":"2026-01-15 18:28:25","modified":"2026-01-15 21:10:07","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Landuse-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Landuse.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Landuse.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Landuse.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":1080,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Landuse-1536x864.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Landuse.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1080,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Landuse-826x465.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Landuse.png","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":1080}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" We will utilize the interface to assess the impact of installing more powerful sirens compared to standard ones.<\/p>\n For the comparison, we have developed two suitability models using the Suitability Modeler in ArcGIS Pro, both based on the same criteria. The signal strength criteria were modified in the second model to reflect the capabilities of a more powerful siren, as opposed to the standard siren used in the first model.<\/p>\n To analyze the effects of the more powerful sirens, we will employ the Model Comparison interface. This will allow us to apply predefined statistics to identify similarities and differences between the models. Each statistic offers unique insights into the relationships between the models. By applying a series of statistics, we can gain a deeper understanding of how the changes between the models affect the final results.<\/p>\n The Model Comparison interface is accessed from the Suitability Modeler split-button.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2954072,"id":2954072,"title":"OpenInterface","filename":"OpenInterface.png","filesize":29771,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/OpenInterface.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/spatial-analyst\/analytics\/exploring-what-if-scenarios-using-the-model-comparison-interface-in-the-suitability-modeler\/openinterface","alt":"Accessing the Model Comparison interface","author":"7161","description":"","caption":"","name":"openinterface","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2954070,"date":"2026-01-15 18:30:31","modified":"2026-01-15 21:09:56","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":273,"height":227,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/OpenInterface-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/OpenInterface.png","medium-width":273,"medium-height":227,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/OpenInterface.png","medium_large-width":273,"medium_large-height":227,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/OpenInterface.png","large-width":273,"large-height":227,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/OpenInterface.png","1536x1536-width":273,"1536x1536-height":227,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/OpenInterface.png","2048x2048-width":273,"2048x2048-height":227,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/OpenInterface.png","card_image-width":273,"card_image-height":227,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/OpenInterface.png","wide_image-width":273,"wide_image-height":227}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Click Comparison model to open the Comparison pane.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2954276,"id":2954276,"title":"ComparisonInterface_Boxes_New","filename":"ComparisonInterface_Boxes_New.png","filesize":1733901,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ComparisonInterface_Boxes_New.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/spatial-analyst\/analytics\/exploring-what-if-scenarios-using-the-model-comparison-interface-in-the-suitability-modeler\/comparisoninterface_boxes_new","alt":"The Model Comparison interface with two models","author":"7161","description":"","caption":"The initial Model Comparison pane (right) with the two models entered. The suitability map for the first model is displayed.","name":"comparisoninterface_boxes_new","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2954070,"date":"2026-01-19 22:25:11","modified":"2026-01-20 00:03:25","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ComparisonInterface_Boxes_New-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ComparisonInterface_Boxes_New.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ComparisonInterface_Boxes_New.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ComparisonInterface_Boxes_New.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":1080,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ComparisonInterface_Boxes_New-1536x864.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ComparisonInterface_Boxes_New.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1080,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ComparisonInterface_Boxes_New-826x465.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ComparisonInterface_Boxes_New.png","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":1080}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" In the pane, the two models we want to compare are identified by the dark green box in the image above.<\/p>\n There are 13 predefined statistics to perform the comparison organized in 5 functional groups in the Comparison statistics section of the pane as identified by the blue box in the image above.<\/p>\n The statistics in the Explore Input Parameters<\/strong> group provide an overview of the model parameters and the output.<\/p>\n The Compare Similarities and Differences<\/strong> group has a series of statistics allowing you to see where the suitability values between the models are similar and where they differ.<\/p>\n The statistics in the Analyze Suitability Values<\/strong> group allow you to analyze the spatial distribution of the high suitability values between the models since they are the most relevant to the analysis.<\/p>\n The Investigate Change Between Models<\/strong> group has a variety of statistics to help you identify how the suitability values change between the models.<\/p>\n The statistics in the Examine Where Regions Overlap<\/strong> group permit you to analyze where the models\u2019 final locations are in agreement and where they differ.<\/p>\n To calculate the desired statistics, click the Run button. The Explore pane then appears. The pane displays the statistics that were selected to run.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2954075,"id":2954075,"title":"ParametersinModel","filename":"ParametersinModel.png","filesize":881664,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ParametersinModel.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/spatial-analyst\/analytics\/exploring-what-if-scenarios-using-the-model-comparison-interface-in-the-suitability-modeler\/parametersinmodel","alt":"The Explore pane and the Comparison Statistic Pane","author":"7161","description":"","caption":"The Explore pane (right) with the Comparison Statistics Pane (lower middle) are displayed showing the Parameters in Models statistic. The suitability map for the first model is shown.","name":"parametersinmodel","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2954070,"date":"2026-01-15 18:38:02","modified":"2026-01-15 21:09:29","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ParametersinModel-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ParametersinModel.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ParametersinModel.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ParametersinModel.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":1080,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ParametersinModel-1536x864.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ParametersinModel.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1080,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ParametersinModel-826x465.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ParametersinModel.png","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":1080}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" The first statistic, Parameters in Models (if selected), is displayed automatically. The Comparison Statistics Pane appears showing the parameters and a plot from the statistic. By default, the suitability map for the first model is also displayed.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2954076,"id":2954076,"title":"SirenTransformations","filename":"SirenTransformations.png","filesize":891209,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SirenTransformations.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/spatial-analyst\/analytics\/exploring-what-if-scenarios-using-the-model-comparison-interface-in-the-suitability-modeler\/sirentransformations","alt":"The Transformation tab displaying the basic and stronger signal transformations","author":"7161","description":"","caption":"The Transformation tab in the Comparison Statistics Pane is displayed in the lower middle. The left plot shows the transformation function that was applied to basic signal and the right the more powerful siren. ","name":"sirentransformations","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2954070,"date":"2026-01-15 18:39:57","modified":"2026-01-15 21:09:10","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SirenTransformations-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SirenTransformations.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SirenTransformations.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SirenTransformations.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":1080,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SirenTransformations-1536x864.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SirenTransformations.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1080,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SirenTransformations-826x465.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SirenTransformations.png","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":1080}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Clicking the Transformation tab reveals the various transformations applied to the siren signal strength criteria. The left plot displays the standard siren transformation function (represented by the blue line), while the right plot shows the transformation function for the stronger signal. Notably, the standard siren signal transformation function tapers off more quickly, and the audible range is not as far.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s see where the models are similar and different.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2954078,"id":2954078,"title":"PercentDifference","filename":"PercentDifference.png","filesize":852625,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PercentDifference.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/spatial-analyst\/analytics\/exploring-what-if-scenarios-using-the-model-comparison-interface-in-the-suitability-modeler\/percentdifference","alt":"The percent difference","author":"7161","description":"","caption":"The percent difference in suitability values between the two scenarios.","name":"percentdifference","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2954070,"date":"2026-01-15 18:43:03","modified":"2026-01-15 21:08:56","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PercentDifference-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PercentDifference.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PercentDifference.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PercentDifference.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":1080,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PercentDifference-1536x864.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PercentDifference.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1080,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PercentDifference-826x465.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PercentDifference.png","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":1080}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Around the rivers and populated areas, the two models agree which is represented by the lighter green.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s further examine the similarities and differences between the models.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2954079,"id":2954079,"title":"Hotspot","filename":"Hotspot.png","filesize":804019,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Hotspot.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/spatial-analyst\/analytics\/exploring-what-if-scenarios-using-the-model-comparison-interface-in-the-suitability-modeler\/hotspot-2","alt":"Map from hot spot analysis","author":"7161","description":"","caption":"A hot spot analysis between the two scenarios.","name":"hotspot-2","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2954070,"date":"2026-01-15 18:44:42","modified":"2026-01-15 21:11:18","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Hotspot-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Hotspot.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Hotspot.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Hotspot.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":1080,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Hotspot-1536x864.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Hotspot.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1080,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Hotspot-826x465.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Hotspot.png","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":1080}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" The hot spot analysis highlights areas where the absolute percent difference between suitability values cluster. The green areas are where the models agree and the red areas where they differ. Notably, the models agree in regions with higher population density, particularly around the intersection of the two rivers.<\/p>\n What are the suitability values in the areas of agreement?<\/p>\n The following image illustrates where the models are similar that have high suitability values (symbolized in green). These areas, located at the river intersection and near populated zones, represent locations favored by the sirens in both scenarios.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2954080,"id":2954080,"title":"HighSuitability_10","filename":"HighSuitability_10.png","filesize":963240,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HighSuitability_10.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/spatial-analyst\/analytics\/exploring-what-if-scenarios-using-the-model-comparison-interface-in-the-suitability-modeler\/highsuitability_10","alt":"Map of locations with high suitability and similar","author":"7161","description":"","caption":"Locations that are among the top 10 percent in similarity and also have high suitability values, specifically those within the top 90 percent of the highest average suitability values between the two models.","name":"highsuitability_10","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2954070,"date":"2026-01-15 18:46:28","modified":"2026-01-15 21:12:28","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HighSuitability_10-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HighSuitability_10.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HighSuitability_10.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HighSuitability_10.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":1080,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HighSuitability_10-1536x864.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HighSuitability_10.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1080,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HighSuitability_10-826x465.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HighSuitability_10.png","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":1080}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" We can also look a little deeper by moving the Similarity slider to see where additional locations will be added as we increase the similarity threshold.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2954081,"id":2954081,"title":"HighSuitability_30","filename":"HighSuitability_30.png","filesize":967000,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HighSuitability_30.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/spatial-analyst\/analytics\/exploring-what-if-scenarios-using-the-model-comparison-interface-in-the-suitability-modeler\/highsuitability_30","alt":"Map of locations with high suitability and the similarity","author":"7161","description":"","caption":"Increase the similarity threshold to include locations within the top 30 percent that are most similar, while also ensuring high suitability by focusing on locations within the top 90 percent of the highest average suitability values.","name":"highsuitability_30","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2954070,"date":"2026-01-15 18:47:54","modified":"2026-01-15 21:28:01","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HighSuitability_30-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HighSuitability_30.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HighSuitability_30.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HighSuitability_30.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":1080,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HighSuitability_30-1536x864.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HighSuitability_30.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1080,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HighSuitability_30-826x465.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HighSuitability_30.png","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":1080}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Notice additional locations are added away from the intersection of the two rivers uncovering other similar and highly suitable locations.<\/p>\n But how do the values change from one model to the other?<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2954082,"id":2954082,"title":"ChangeDetection","filename":"ChangeDetection.png","filesize":738004,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ChangeDetection.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/spatial-analyst\/analytics\/exploring-what-if-scenarios-using-the-model-comparison-interface-in-the-suitability-modeler\/changedetection-2","alt":"The Change Detection statistic","author":"7161","description":"","caption":"Applying the Change Detection statistic.","name":"changedetection-2","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2954070,"date":"2026-01-15 18:49:34","modified":"2026-01-15 21:36:43","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ChangeDetection-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ChangeDetection.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ChangeDetection.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ChangeDetection.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":1080,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ChangeDetection-1536x864.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ChangeDetection.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1080,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ChangeDetection-826x465.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ChangeDetection.png","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":1080}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" The dark green areas indicate regions where both models have high suitability. Notice that at the edges of these dark green areas, the orange regions represent a transition from medium to high suitability. This shift is attributed to the extended range of the more powerful sirens.<\/p>\n Finally, let’s examine the overlapping regions between the two models. The top five locations have been identified from the suitability maps.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2954083,"id":2954083,"title":"Overlap","filename":"Overlap.png","filesize":1412879,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Overlap.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/spatial-analyst\/analytics\/exploring-what-if-scenarios-using-the-model-comparison-interface-in-the-suitability-modeler\/overlap-4","alt":"Map of the final locations","author":"7161","description":"","caption":"The final locations for the standard and stronger sirens.","name":"overlap-4","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2954070,"date":"2026-01-15 18:50:56","modified":"2026-01-15 21:37:16","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Overlap-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Overlap.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Overlap.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Overlap.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":1080,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Overlap-1536x864.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Overlap.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1080,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Overlap-826x465.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Overlap.png","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":1080}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" There is no overlap between the regions. The pinkish areas indicate the locations of standard signal sirens, which are concentrated around the populated areas at the river’s intersection due to their limited range. In contrast, the blue areas represent the locations of stronger signal sirens, which are distributed more widely along the flood zone, closer to other populated regions.<\/p>\n From this comparative analysis, we conclude that signal strength significantly impacts the models.<\/p>\n In conclusion, due to the subjective nature of setting parameters in a suitability model, we suggest that relying on a single solution does not provide a comprehensive view. We encourage the exploration of multiple scenarios. Based on your analysis of the various what-if scenarios, you can either select one of the models or adjust other parameters to test additional scenarios.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" <\/p>\n Acknowledgements<\/strong><\/p>\n Data used:<\/p>\n The\u00a0National Hydrography Dataset Plus High Resolution<\/a>\u00a0(NHDplus High Resolution) maps the\u00a0lakes, ponds, streams, rivers and other surface waters of the United States. Created by the\u00a0US Geological Survey<\/a>,\u00a0 https:\/\/www.arcgis.com\/home\/item.html?id=f1f45a3ba37a4f03a5f48d7454e4b654<\/a><\/p>\n USA Structures – utilizing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) data, displays footprints for all structures (buildings) in the United States (in collaboration with U.S. Geological Survey).<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.arcgis.com\/home\/item.html?id=0ec8512ad21e4bb987d7e848d14e7e24<\/a><\/p>\n Elevation – data from USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP).<\/p>\n