A Combined AHP-TOPSIS-Based Decision Support System for Highway Pavement Type Selection

Abstract

In Turkey, flexible pavement containing bituminous material is widely preferred on highways. Rigid pavement, which is based on concrete, is generally used in small-scale, specific projects. This situation, which has arisen due to historical and technical reasons, has also brought with it certain prejudices against rigid pavement applications. A review of the literature reveals that many factors influence the choice of highway pavement type, but decision-makers tend to make their selection based on the most important factors, disregarding other parameters. The lack of a systematic factor analysis is a shortcoming in this regard. In this research, a combined multi-criteria decision-making study was conducted, including the neglected factors, to address this technical deficiency in the pavement type selection process. Through detailed analysis, parameters likely to influence pavement type selection were identified and analyzed using the hybrid AHP-TOPSIS approach, guided by the opinions of experts in the field. The analysis shows that comfort (user ride quality), financial, and environmental factors are the most effective main criteria, while maintenance and repair costs, eco-friendliness, and initial construction costs were identified as the most critical sub-criteria influencing the choice of pavement type. Based on the analysis results, a detailed decision support system was presented to decision-makers according to the characteristics of the alternatives obtained. The results highlight the need for decision-making frameworks that prioritize both long-term cost efficiency and user safety, contributing to more sustainable and resilient pavement applications.