Decision-making in the commercial space service design of transportation architecture

Transportation architecture is common globally. The design of rest areas, which allow travelers to rest and refuel, is crucial in such architecture. The design focus of rest areas in Taiwan has shifted from function-oriented features to that meet travelers’ diverse needs. Space planning in such areas can be used to integrate highway information, dining services, and leisure activities for travelers; design spaces with local characteristics; and improve service design and innovative service models. This study analyzed the effect of evaluation criteria weights used in highway rest area design tendering in Taiwan on the selection of space designers. The modified Delphi method was used to conduct interviews with experts and select criteria for commercial service space design from a consensus. Subsequently, an analytic hierarchy process was adopted to determine the relative weight of each criterion, and a consistency analysis was conducted. These design criteria were deemed essential by the experts and are thus beneficial for future designers in understanding the aspects in the spatial planning for highway rest areas and acquiring transportation architecture tenders. The results of this study can facilitate identification of highway rest area design criteria, which can serve as a reference for space designers to make related decisions.