Environmentally Conscious Least Cost Multi-Criteria Decision Making for Modeling Railway Network for Eritrea

A proper development of railway transportation is critical for sustainable socio-economic and environmental benefits. Nonetheless, in Eritrea, a country that once had vibrant system, it currently nonfunctional. There are also ambitious sectoral investments neighboring Ethiopia Sudan, pressing Eritrea to revitalize its decimated system. Therefore, this study used population settlement pattern, physical criteria as inputs least-cost multi-criteria decision-making modeling the network Eritrea. Accordingly, seven routes, covering total 1, 610 km distance, were modeled. Four running north-to-south directions, while three east-to-west directions. This will give services 5 out 6 Eritrean’s administrative regions, where 93% estimated 5.8 million people reside. Additionally, service 21 urban centers, an 1,658,749 live; approximately 70% Eritrea’s population. Besides, shall boost regional integration, peace, thereof, otherwise conflict-ravaged geographical region.