A decision support framework for sustainable highway alignment embracing variant preferences of stakeholders: case of China Pakistan economic corridor

The selection of highway alignment without explicit consideration of the interests and preferences of stakeholders is a major recipe for conflicts and opposition in highway projects. Given the complex and dynamic nature of the highway alignment decision atmosphere, a dynamic framework is imperative. This research evaluated three multi-criteria decision methods (MCDMs), identified the optimal combination and proposed a highway alignment decision support framework which embraces the preferences of stakeholders. The proposed framework was validated using a controversial ongoing mega highway project from the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Thus, the study makes a useful contribution to the praxis and practice of the highway alignment decision-making process.