Application of Various Multiple Criteria Analysis Methods for the Evaluation of Rural Road Projects

Abstract

Introduction: Ex-ante evaluation of rural road projects is important for proper utilisation of scarce financial resources. In recent years, several multiple criteria analysis methods have been applied for the evaluation of transportation projects. Methods: Here we compare three multi-criteria methods ( i.e . TOPSIS, MOORA, and PROMETHEE) in ranking rural roads. The criteria and weightage were identified with an expert questionnaire survey and the decision matrix was obtained from a field survey of four rural roads of Nepal. These data demonstrate the successful application of various multi-criteria analysis methods for the evaluation of rural road projects with sustainable indicators. Results: The results of multi-criteria methods depend upon the value of performance measures, weightage, normalization, and aggregation procedures. Conclusion: We also concluded that the multi-criteria methods used ( i.e . TOPSIS, MOORA, and PROMETHEE), in which weightage is derived using robust methods ( e.g . AHP) and precise measurement of criteria of rural roads, in general return similar rankings.