A system for evaluating and correlating the many variable factors of sociological, engineering, economic, psychological and political considerations bearing on selection of an expressway alignment has been developed in Chicago. The study method was used for the first time in evaluating alternative alignments for the crosstown expressway, proposed as part of the interstate highway system. Basic structure of the method was built on independent study groups which developed their own criteria and methods of analysis to arrive at comparative evaluation of proposed alternative alignments. The three basic areas of study were: traffic and engineering aspects, which established 16 criteria for evaluating the alignments, impact on existing communities, which considered 20 criteria for sociological, economic and psychological factors in the residential, commercial and industrial neighbourhoods affected, and potential land use improvements, which evaluated each alignment with respect to 16 basic criteria related to announced city planning and land-use objectives in the immediate neighbourhoods and the entire city. The study was organized in three stages: general, intermediate, and detailed level of analysis. The findings of each group were compared at the conclusion of each level of analysis. The technical analysts were not authorized to attach relative weights or compromise differences, but could introduce variations of proposed alignments for evaluation.
Abstract