Multi-attribute decision-making methods for assessment of quality in bridges and road construction: State-of-the-art surveys

Multi-attribute analysis is a popular tool in many economical, managerial, constructional etc. problems. This document provides a review of international and national practices in investment decision support tools in bridges and road quality management. Cost benefit analysis and multi-attribute analysis are principal methodologies in supporting decision-making in bridges and road quality management. The complexity of the applications shows significant differences in international practices. There are continuing discussions amongst practitioners and researchers, regarding to which one is more appropriate in supporting decision-making. It is suggested that more than one approach should be regarded as complementary instead of competitive means. Multi-attribute analysis may be particularly helpful in early stages of project development, strategic planning. Cost benefit analysis is used most widely for project prioritization and selecting the final project from a set of alternatives. These methodologies are applicable to the problems with large numbers of scenarios and attributes. The research has concluded that multi-attribute decision-making methods are very useful for bridge and road construction.