A Conceptual Framework for the Assessment of Project Alternatives in the Front-End Phase of Major Transportation Projects

Identifying the most suitable project alternative is a critical challenge faced by decision makers in the front-end phase of major transportation projects (MTPs). The increasing complexity and dynamism of MTPs impose substantial uncertainties and subjectivity during the front-end phase of such projects. The methods commonly used during the front-end phase of MTPs are mainly deterministic. The objective of this research is: (1) to investigate the decision-making criteria for such projects through literature review and establish the state-of-the practice on the subject matter by conducting a questionnaire survey and (2) to build a conceptual stochastic decision-support framework to address the considerable uncertainties in MTPs based on the literature review and survey findings.