Exploring quantitative methods for project location selection

This paper aims at exploring quantitative methods that are appropriate for project location selection. One of the major considerations of whether to undertake a construction project is to determine if the location is valuable for investment. Location selection may be simply based on past experience, rudimentary, "gut-feeling", or a combination of them. Alternatively, it may involve scientific methods. The paper introduces both deterministic and dynamic approaches and presents some of the basic quantitative methods, including data envelopment analysis model and binary integer linear program models, serving as a base for both academics and practitioners. To expand the contribution of the paper, illustrative examples are given. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.