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Transportation strategies encompass a portfolio of projects in which choices must be made between competing alternatives. An appropriate portfolio of projects is essential for the success and growth of transportation agencies. The introduction and implementation of emerging technologies such as intelligent transportation systems (ITS) increase the need for more effective decision-making approaches and project selection in the coming years. Transportation projects, particularly, have a broad impact on the public and are multicriteria in nature. The projects also involve several elements of risk, such as project success, public acceptance, or public image. Traditional methods of project evaluation such as benefit–cost analysis focus mainly on the financial rewards of projects and do not sufficiently consider multicriteria and risk evaluations in an integrated framework. Development of an objective and systematic methodology that could address the multicriteria nature of the projects and also deal with their risks and rewards is necessary for both private and public agencies. This need is important particularly when new technologies are implemented, information on project impacts is insufficient, and resources are constrained. An integrated project portfolio selection model is introduced based on the well-established methodologies used for multicriteria evaluation and proven concepts used for portfolio selection in the finance discipline. The new methodology significantly facilitates decision making by integrating both the risk and the value of projects. A case study for selecting ITS projects in a public agency is demonstrated. Guidance is provided in nontechnical language for interpreting the outputs of the methodology.

He has conducted research and published extensively in a number of areas, including environment and aging; baby boomer health dynamics; health promotion, self-care and aging; older drivers; living arrangement change over the life course; and family, social support, and intergenerational issues.ABSTRACT: Aging is commonly associated with an increase in chronic disease and disability, affecting access to transportation. This study examines factors that contribute to the decision to use Handy Dart transportation (a handicap-specialized service) among 869 elderly, chronically ill residents of a metropolitan region in British Columbia. Drawing on Chappell's complementary model of support, the authors hypothesized that informal social support will be positively associated with specialized transportation service use. The authors employ the Andersen-Newman model of health use to help organize the other expected predictors. Results of logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of regular social support, a positive attitude about Handy Dart helpfulness, being retired, disability because of arthritis, and perceived ill health were the strongest predictors of use. Age, gender, marital status, knowledge, and number of comorbid illnesses did not predict use of the service. The results are discussed within the context of changing needs for specialized transportation services.

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