Critical Factors Affecting Green Innovation in Major Transportation Infrastructure Projects

The complexities of megaprojects, particularly major transportation infrastructure projects (MTIs), require technological innovation that advances economic, social, and ecological objectives. Traditional engineering innovation emphasizes economic gains while neglecting sustainability. Therefore, implementing green innovation (GI) in MTIs is essential. This research examines key factors and correlations influencing MTI-GI to strengthen theoretical understanding and guide effective implementation. First, literature and interviews are used to identify MTI-GI influencing factors through the technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework. Second, an intuitive fuzzy number approach reduces subjectivity in expert scoring and, combined with the DEMATEL method, constructs a fuzzy DEMATEL model to quantify factor importance and identify critical drivers. Critical factors are then analyzed to formulate GI promotion strategies. Results reveal that MTI-GI influencing factors span technology, organization, and environment dimensions. Prioritizing green technological innovation and feedback mechanisms, optimizing organizational structures, and aligning with regional environmental characteristics are crucial for successful MTI-GI implementation. These findings support GI expansion in MTIs and offer targeted strategies for managing complex systems.