Abstract
The study presents the application of multi-criteria analysis, i.e., the Analytic HierarchyProcess (AHP), for the evaluation of investments related to the realisation of a high-pressure gaspipeline. The authors evaluated the realisation of the gas pipeline with the use of alternativemethods: the trenchless Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) method and the open excavationmethod, based on the example of the construction of a high-pressure gas pipeline DN1000. Sectionslocated in naturally valuable areas on the route of the pipeline Wierzchowice-Kiełczów (Poland)were analysed, on the section from the valve station in Czeszów to the Kiełczów node. The researchconsidered the following criteria: technical costs, economic costs, social costs, and environmentalcosts. The sum of these partial estimations is the “total cost” of the investment. Research revealedthat the technical costs of the open excavation method are in all cases higher than the technologicalcosts of the trenchless method during the realisation of a gas pipeline (in the AHP analysis, theyreceive an average score of −4 or −3, compared to a score of −2 for the HDD method). On the otherhand, the economic costs are comparable, with a slight advantage for the HDD method. The overallscore for the open excavation method obtained with use of the AHP multi-criteria evaluation is, fordifferent variants, approximately −19, while the evaluation of the realisation of a gas pipeline withuse of the Horizontal Directional Drilling method gives a score from −15 to −10, depending on thesection.
Highlights
The realisation of any construction investment in the so-called construction and investment process results in a certain degree of interference with the surrounding environment
For the purposes of the discussed investment, the sections marked in Table 1 as C and D were selected to be realised with use of the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) method
Thanks to the adopted method of crossing water courses, ponds, and the most valuable habitats with use of the HDD method, the realisation of the investment will not pose a threat for habitats and species of plants and animals that are protected as part of Natura 2000 areas, and it will not disturb the integrity of protected areas
Summary
The realisation of any construction investment in the so-called construction and investment process results in a certain degree of interference with the surrounding environment. The decision on the selection of a method used for the construction of gas pipelines in areas that are protected due to their natural values may be based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). AHP is a powerful technique which supports decision making in a multi-attribute environment [1,2]. It allows the creation of an understandable hierarchical model by the decomposition of complex problems [3]. L. Saaty that combines elements of mathematics and psychology. Saaty that combines elements of mathematics and psychology It was described in previous study, among others [4,5,6,7,8]
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