Assessment and Development of A Model Using GIS for Optimal Highway Route Selection: Case of Melkajelo-Awash Road

Abstract

The planning and execution of transportation projects, notably highways, demand meticulous decision-making processesto avert delays, cost overruns, and route alterations as a consequence of inadequate planning. The primary aim of this study is to craft an exhaustive GIS-based model for selecting optimal highway routes that takes into account multiple criteria. Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, functioning as a repository and analytical tool for geographic information, presents significant promise in innovative approaches that account for managing best highway route selection. The data used for analysis are digital elevation model, google earth, California bearing ratio, geology data and ArcGIS Software 10.8 is applied for performing the analysis. The methodology applied in this research are GIS based Multi-Criteria Decision Making that provides a robust mechanism for addressing spatial quandaries by incorporating geographic data, value judgments, and evaluation criteria, thereby enhancing decision-making processes, curtailing construction and operational costs, and mitigating environmental repercussions. Criteria selection, digital elevation model factor mapping, creating a slope factor map, creating a CBR factor map, creating a geology factor are the analysis done in this research. Finally, least cost path model and least cost route result is extracted as an output in the research. To enhance the model's efficacy, future research could focus on refining the criteria selection process that can lead to more accurate and reliable route selections is the main recommendation raised by researchers.