Multi-criteria assessment methods apply to the decision-making process from a multidisciplinary approach to a problem. Its introduction in project assessment complies with a well-known problem, that is taking into consideration all the criteria which should be contemplated for making an informed and sustainable decision, even if these criteria cannot be quantified. This methodology, known in Europe, and in the United States as Multi-Criteria Decision Making Methods, (MCDM) can be applied to any project offering several possible solutions alternatives. Moreover, the Multi-Criteria Approach is used more and more in infrastructure projects, because it facilitates communication of the decision to the communities. Criteria used to comparatively assess each one of the alternatives are of economic, as well as social, urban, and environmental nature.In Chile, it is an approach introduced experimentally in 2001 in road layout studies as an additional form to the economic and social assessment, bringing a major change in the very way of approaching the study. Our reference has been the French experience in the matter. Also, the method has been used to prioritize the projects in the annual process called "The Exploratory", which is part of any infrastructure project of the Ministry of Public Works - road projects and others. For the covering abstract see ITRD E135448.
Abstract