What Causes Optimism Bias in Transportation Projects?

Abstract

The design, planning and implementation of large-scale infrastructure, particularly about transportation projects has proven to be an inherently difficult task due to several factors. The often-incorrect information provided for predicted costs and benefits has a significant impact on the economic feasibility of a project. This paper aims at examining the evidence and flow on effect of cost overruns and underperforming benefits in large-scale transportation projects. The causation for these elements will be analysed as well as methods aimed at alleviating these impacts to advance the overall delivery of projects of this nature.