Identification and segmentation of social and environmental criteria in multi-criteria analysis for selecting infrastructure investment options for road transport

Studies show that road investments generate both positive and negative socio-economic and environmental impacts. Social effects include improved accessibility, safety, and reduced inequality, but may also lead to increased accident rates and health concerns. A key challenge in multi-criteria analysis is the accurate identification and classification of social and environmental factors. Methods such as literature reviews, surveys, interviews, and cost-benefit analyses are used to assess these impacts and support decision-making, for example, through social impact assessments. This paper explores the difficulties in categorising various criteria as social or environmental and the implications of these classifications for evaluation processes. The authors propose a revised set of social and environmental standards for multi-criteria assessment of road investment options and examine how reclassifying certain criteria affects their relevance and validity. The study contributes to improving evaluation frameworks for infrastructure planning and supports more informed, socially aware investment decisions.