Consistent decision making requires a structured, systematic evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of different choice possibilities. For the evaluation of transportation policy measures, various multicriteria analysis (MCA) methods have been developed to complement conventional cost-benefit analysis. These methods investigate and evaluate all relevant effects of an alternative by introducing some key policy criteria that are particularly relevant in assessing strategic-level impacts, such as environmental impacts and equity issues. Design of the appropriate assessment approach has to take into account the different problem settings in which decision making takes place. That is particularly important in the context of evaluating policies as opposed to plans and programs, such as evaluating transportation policies at the strategic level in contrast to evaluating transportation projects. Hence, there is a clear need for a systematic approach to the strategic assessment of transportation policies. That need is addressed: an evaluation and assessment framework based on three widely used MCA methods is presented, and a comprehensive framework for the strategic assessment of spatial-economic and environmental-economic transportation policy instruments is provided. This framework is applied in the specific case of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games to test its robustness and assist in the formulation of policy actions.
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