Abstract
Infrastructure project owners, decision makers, planners and investors decide to proceed with a given project based on the results of feasibility studies carried out at the planning stage. The feasibility studies identify different aspects of the project that pose risks to the sustainability and performance of the projects concerned. Therefore, a feasibility study that addresses all factors related to a project and done correctly, is critical to the decision makers. Feasibility studies for transportation infrastructure is even more critical in view of the many factors that should be considered and the capital required to develop infrastructure. Sustainability in terms of financial, physical infrastructure, service quality, as well as strategic and institutional support will not be achieved if a comprehensive feasibility study is not conducted at the concept stage of the transportation infrastructure project. A poorly defined project at the feasibility stage does not deliver the same outcome as a well-defined project, irrespective of how well it was executed and operated. The current study therefore argued that some of the problems and challenges encountered in the operational stage of transport infrastructure projects can be mitigated by according considerable attention to how feasibility studies are conducted and the factors that may contribute to undesirable outcomes at the operational stage of transportation infrastructure projects. The study posited that the performance of transportation infrastructure projects can be sustained if attention is given to conducting and delivering comprehensive feasibility studies. Comprehensive feasibility studies provide relevant and sufficient information with regard to identified risks and uncertainties, which may affect the project. In addition, measures necessary to mitigate the occurrence of such risks must be identified. Moreover, alternative solutions should be assessed in a comprehensive feasibility study. Poor quality of feasibility studies entails that risks, benefits as well as impacts of the proposed project are not well accounted for; thus, leading to disastrous consequences during the project’s operational stage...
D.Phil. (Engineering Management)