A Factor Analysis of Transportation Infrastructure Feasibility Study Factors: A Study Among Built Environment Professionals in South Africa

Abstract

Feasibility studies conducted at the initiation stage of transportation infrastructure projects inform decision-making regarding the proposed project’s development. However, non-comprehensive feasibility studies lead to project failure at the operational stage. This study, therefore, investigated the critical factors that should be incorporated in a comprehensive feasibility study in order to make reliable investment decisions, which will, in turn, affect the performance at a later stage. Empirical data collected from 132 built environment professionals in South Africa, were analysed to output descriptive and inferential statistics. The inferential statistics entailed factor analysis. Outputs were common factors and the minimum number of variables that contributed the most variance in the data set. Findings revealed that a six-factor structure including methods of appraisal, finance availability and source, user needs, local environment, available data and strategic support. By establishing critical factors to consider during the planning of infrastructure to ensure that a comprehensive feasibility study is achieved, the current study provides valuable evidence for transportation infrastructure stakeholders to make informed and reliable decisions about the worthwhileness of the projects they intend to invest in.KeywordsFeasibility studiesInfrastructureSouth AfricaSustainabilityTransportation