Evaluation of Road Infrastructure Projects: A Life Cycle Sustainability-Based Decision-Making Approach

Husnain Arshad, Muhammad Jamaluddin Thaheem, Beenish Bakhtawar and Asheem Shrestha
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Husnain Arshad: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon 100025, China
Muhammad Jamaluddin Thaheem: School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
Beenish Bakhtawar: Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom 100077, China
Asheem Shrestha: School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 7, 1-26

Abstract: Economic growth, social wellbeing, and infrastructure are strongly interrelated and jointly contribute to national development. Therefore, evaluation and selection of a road infrastructure project direly need a comprehensive sustainability assessment integrating holistic decision criteria. This study presents an elaborate life cycle sustainability-based project evaluation tool, comprising an assessment framework, an integration model, and a decision framework. In the first phase, a life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) framework for road infrastructure is established using mixed methods. In the second phase, interviews are conducted to obtain pairwise comparisons among impact categories and subjective reasoning of their priorities. Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is adopted to develop the LCSA integration model. The minimum threshold limits of impact categories are evaluated and integrated into the proposed decision framework. Further, thematic and cross-sectional analyses are performed on the interview findings to rationalize the proposed decision framework. The findings include a detailed and customized project assessment framework, an integration model, and a decision framework for the assessment of different project alternatives. This study helps policy- and decision-makers in selecting the project alternative by maximizing sustainability in road infrastructure projects. Insights into environmental and social externalities and their quantitative interpretation throughout the life of the road are also achieved.

Keywords: life cycle sustainability assessment; road infrastructure; project evaluation; decision-making; analytical hierarchy process (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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