Integrated Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution Framework for Evaluating High-Speed Passenger Rail Corridor Alternatives

This paper develops a multiple criteria and multimethod approach for evaluating the suitability of alternative right-of-way (ROW) corridors to accommodate high-speed intercity passenger rail (HSIPR) operations. An alignment decision for HSIPR involves consideration of multiple criteria and trade-offs. Policy makers often face uncertainty in evaluating and selecting alternative options and usually consider alternatives in a fuzzy environment in which subjectivity and vagueness are present. This paper develops an integrated evaluation model that uses the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) methods to address some of these issues. The study identifies potential sketch-planning performance metrics and demonstrates their usefulness and inclusion in the integrated fuzzy AHP–TOPSIS methodology in comparing alternative ROW corridor options. In contrast to detailed engineering evaluation, the developed sketch-planning metrics provide a cost- and time-effective way of assessing alternative suitability. A case study application with existing highway ROW in Texas demonstrates the applicability of the proposed framework. Apart from ranking alternatives, a detailed sensitivity analysis assesses the effect of performance metrics weights on the preferences between alternatives using a displacement index. The proposed framework creates a more effective and systematic decision support tool for preliminary corridor alternative evaluation.