Sustainable Route Selection Using Fuzzy MCDM Techniques

Abstract

Effective transportation route assessment is critical to transportation mobility, safety, and sustainability between urban cities. However, selecting the optimal route with consideration of sustainability is still a fresh challenge. This study aims to define the best pathway to utilize, taking into consideration several performance measures such as travel efficiency, safety, impact on the environment, and the quality of infrastructure between Baghdad and Fallujah. The methodology involves three phases, starting with creating an initial decision matrix that compares three assigned road routes with 12 criteria. The weight fuzzy judgment method (WFJM) was used to establish the relative significance of the twelve criteria for the assigned peak periods, considering the differences in the traffic patterns and priorities in the operations throughout the day. The roads were then ranked using the Multi-Objective Optimization by Ratio Analysis plus Full Multiplicative Form (MULTIMOORA) approach, which combines the Ratio System, Reference Point, and Multiplicative Form, followed by a Borda count to get the final ranking. Weighting outcomes suggested that speed limit, road condition, fuel consumption, and pollution were the most important variables during the AM period, whereas during the PM period, lighting and road condition were more significant. The MULTIMOORA findings showed that the Old Abu Ghuraib Route performed better in AM and PM versions and thus had a balanced score across all evaluation systems. The Karmah route and the Expressway No.1 segment had time-varying performance, whereby the Expressway had greater performance in the PM conditions. A sensitivity analysis provided validation of the robustness of the results. This paper provides information to policymakers and motorists on the best driving route selection between Baghdad and Fallujah for management and planning considerations.