A Robust Hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Framework for Sustainable Transportation Planning Under Uncertainty

Karim Soliman; Bandar Altubaishe; Khaled EL Sakty

doi:10.31081/dmame8220251683

Authors

Karim Soliman University of Business and Technology, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia & Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport.
Bandar Altubaishe University of Business and Technology, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Khaled EL Sakty Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31081/dmame8220251683

Keywords:

Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM); Sustainable Transportation; Transportation Planning; Hybrid Decision Model; Uncertainty Analysis

Abstract

This study develops a sustainability oriented multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework to evaluate and compare smart participation and transportation chain initiatives across major cities in Saudi Arabia. The framework integrates several dimensions, including citizen engagement, the incorporation of renewable energy, multimodal transport systems, artificial intelligence driven traffic management, and circular economy practices. To operationalise the assessment, a three stage MCDM approach is employed. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is applied to determine the relative importance of the evaluation criteria, the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is utilised to assess alternatives based on their closeness to the ideal solution, and the Preference Ranking Organisation Method for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE) is used to establish the final ranking of the cities. The sustainability assessment indicates that Riyadh achieves the highest performance level with a score of 0.80, followed by Jeddah with 0.74 and Dammam with 0.68. A sensitivity analysis is conducted to examine the robustness of the framework, confirming the stability of the outcomes, as variations in the weighting of criteria do not produce notable changes in the ranking order. The results emphasise the strong digital participation environment in Riyadh, along with its policy readiness and effective integration of renewable energy initiatives. The proposed framework offers valuable insights for policymakers and transportation planners seeking to advance sustainable urban mobility strategies aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

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