The　analytic　hierarchy　process　(AHP)　approach　has　been　widely　used　in　multicriteria　decision　making　(MCDM).　It　is　very　difficult　to　meet　the　consistency　requirement　of　a　comparison　matrix　(CM)　in　AHP.　The　authors　analyze　the　reasons　for　inconsistent　CM　in　AHP　and　propose　an　improved　AHP　(IAHP)　to　improve　CM　consistency　by　using　a　sorting　and　ranking　methodology.　The　results　of　comparing　AHP　with　IAHP　by　MATLAB　simulation　show　that　IAHP　is　more　suitable　for　solving　MCDM　problems　when　the　number　of　elements　or　factors　is　5　or　more　in　MCDM.　A　case　study　is　presented　to　illustrate　the　performance　of　IAHP　when　applied　to　risk　identification　during　an　open-cut　subway　construction.　The　application　results　show　that　IAHP　is　superior　to　AHP　in　terms　of　CM　consistency,　information　extraction　effectiveness,　and　convenience　in　practical　implementation.　DOI:　10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000605.　(C)　2013　American　Society　of　Civil　Engineers.