Multiple Criteria Analysis (MCA) is a methodology for ranking projects on the basis of a score that incorporates a range of factors including consideration of need, setting and impacts. It is widely used in public sector decision-making for situations where proposed capital investment projects must be prioritized because of limited funds available. MCA is related to benefit-cost analysis in that positive and negative effects are assigned values that are added together. However, MCA assigns point values instead of a monetary values. This allows for qualitative factors and non-money impact measures to be included in an overall ranking score, in addition to factors typically considered in traditional benefit-cost factors.

EDG works with regional transportation agencies across the Europe, helping them develop and apply MCA ranking systems so that they can include public policy and economic development factors as well as traditional benefit-cost factors in project prioritization and selection. The implementation of MCA ranking typically requires a process for engaging public input as well as business community consultation in the selection of factors and assignment of weighting factors. Our staff are experienced in this process and work with local partners to ensure effective and widely accepted results.