Selection of Proper Method of Public-Private Partnership to Finance Iran Freeway Projects with AHP Approach

The capital of private sector in construction of transport infrastructure, is widely used, especially in freeways construction, in developing countries, in recent decades. But in several cases, due to the lack of the necessary studies and reviews, criteria are not identified correctly, so appropriate partnership method is not selected in major transportation projects and consequently the project is faced with many problems and in some cases it leads to the failure of the project. Typically right identification of criteria in the condition of a country such as Iran and so selecting partnership contract using a proper method will be very influential in the success of the freeway construction projects. The purpose of this paper is systematic selection of appropriate method of public – private partnership contract in financing Iran freeway projects taking advantage of decision making knowledge and expert opinions. So the most effective criteria for choosing finance method through partnership in Iran freeway projects are identified in the expert’s view by questionnaire and interview. Then AHP methodology and Expert Choice Software are hired to ranking and selecting optimal finance method through public – private partnership in Iran freeway projects. In this paper, at first, available partnership options to finance freeway construction projects are investigated and explained. After that 15 criteria influencing the selection of financing method in freeway projects are identified and ranked, using questionnaire in the view of statistical population of professionals including owners, consultants, contractors and academics and then the effect of each of determined criteria on financing methods through partnership is measured using AHP decision making method. Finally it is concluded that appropriate financing method for Iran freeway projects, in order of preference, are BOT, DBFO, BOO and Traditional Private Outsourcing.