The SDSS proposed in this study requires four steps. First, input
variables with high relevancy to an HSR route are selected. The
second step involves factor analysis. A confirmatory factor analysis
(CFA) is conducted to test the validity of the factor structure. The
third step articulates the anticipated impacts of the given factor
structure. The last part is optimizing the shortest paths based on
each factor’s cost surface. Given the extracted routes, a validation
process is also executed using a suitability score matrix.