Is a combination of the Spatial Delphi and the Real-Time Delphi. As in the Spatial Delphi, this method is applicable when the research problem involves issues related to the choice of the best geographical location. The Real Time Spatial Delphi is based on opinion-points, as the Spatial Delphi, but similarly to the Real-Time Delphi there are no rounds, and the Delphi procedure develops in real time. Once the research (spatial) problem is defined, and the panel of experts built, the experts answer the research question(s) by placing one point on a Web-GIS interactive map. A number of questions appears next to the map, each with a different color and appropriate buttons allow each expert to locate the opinion-points on the map, one for each question. After the placement of a point, a dialog box automatically opens, in which it is possible to write the motivations for that choice. The first expert who starts the survey sees on the map one circle for each question, covering the whole study area. When a second expert gives his/her evaluation point, the initial circle automatically reduces (or expands) and moves, according to the algorithm of the Spatial Delphi method. When an expert gives a motivation, a special window opens, containing a series of information regarding the history of the previous points (for each point: the motivation, the date, the time, the diameter and area of the circle, and a marker that is a geo-consensusindicator - green if the point was positioned inside the circle of convergence or red if the point was located outside). These are useful information, in chronological order, regarding the whole Delphi process, representing a tangible support in making a choice. This system fully exploits the advantages of the Real Time Delphi (each expert sees the statistical synthesis and anonymous arguments of the other experts and can answer as many times as desired) and those of the Spatial Delphi (simplicity in providing opinions, visualization of the consensus building process on a map, etc.). Users can use a number of Web-GIS tools to move the map, zooming, measure distances and areas and visualize different types of maps (street maps, satellite images, land use, and so on). At the end of the consultation, the system produces two types of results: geographical and non-geographical. The geographical results include the final circle of consensus, which (if small enough) represents the spatial solution to the research problem. Other geographical outputs are: the sequences of the opinion points; the sequences of the circles and their areas; the speed and magnitude of the geo-consensus; the degree of consensus (ratio between the area of the final circle and the surface of the study area and the ratio between the area of the final circle and the initial one). Non-geographical results include the arguments given by the experts and several statistical data (convergence rates, time to reach consensus, group stability, etc.).
