It’s More Than Present Worth

摘要

Present worth is often the controlling criteria when selecting alternatives to solve a public worksrnproblem. This is adequate if the options are technically equal and operations and maintenance costs arerncontrolling. What is overlooked with this approach are intangible criterion such as social impacts,rnmeeting the design criteria, construction, traffic, and utility impacts, constructability, as well as servicernlife and reliability.rnUse of the “paired comparison” technique allows a comparison of intangible criterion selected asrnhaving potential influence on a project. The paper will present case histories detailing the use of thern“paired comparison” process. It will present an assessment of the impact intangibles such asrnconstruction and traffic disruption, etc. have on selecting and ranking alternatives, the problems thatrncan be associated with the process, and lessons learned in implementing the process. The impact of arngood owner/consultant relationship is also explored. The paper should benefit owners and consultantsrninvolved with similar politically sensitive projects.