Optimization of Highway Performance and Safety by Integrated Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Techniques

The precise pavement performance assessment is critical for the effective management and maintenance of the transportation infrastructure. The structural integrity and safety of highways, necessitate comprehensive assessments in design, maintenance, and performance as per Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) reports. It is widely known that Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) is an advanced tool for making decisions that take into account both quantitative and qualitative factors. This study considers difficulties that come with road infrastructure, including but not limited to potholes, reduced skid resistance, drainage difficulty, carriageway width differences, shoulder conditions, and camber inconsistencies for performance and maintenance. These high-priority parameters data are collected for analysis among all factors based on the expert's choice and field survey. To evaluate criteria, FAHP (Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process) presents a fuzzy logic-based hierarchy; TOPSIS makes preference ranking easier; and VIKOR makes compromise solutions possible in situations involving many criteria. In this study, Jaipur ring road is divided into five different sections from Ajmer Road to Agra Road and evaluated priority ranking for maintenance of sections by an integrated approach. Across FAHP, TOPSIS, and VIKOR assessments, the innovative integrated technique used in this study consistently ranks section 5 as the best-performing segment on this road, proving its supremacy. On the other hand, sections 2, 3, and 4 have varying ranks, highlighting areas for growth. The FAHP, TOPSIS, and VIKOR approaches are used together to provide a holistic perspective of highway section performance, offering significant insights for strategic decision-making and targeted improvements in highway maintenance. Furthermore, this study gives cost-effective and efficient solutions to highway maintenance organizations and practitioners in making judgments for maintenance and rehabilitation.