نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 گروه مدیریت، دانشکده علوم اداری و اقتصاد، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران
2 گروه مدیریت، دانشکده علوم اداری و اقتصادی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد
3 گروه مدیریت، دانشکده علوم اداری و اقتصادی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران.
چکیده
کلیدواژه‌ها
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
Extended Abstract
Aim and introduction
Transportation is considered one of the fundamental elements of the growth and development of any society, and in this context, rail transport has allocated itself a special and effective position. The importance of rail transport in societal development is vital, emphasizing passenger satisfaction for industry success. Providing services to passengers to achieve customer satisfaction and ultimately increasing the use of trains is a crucial factor in this industry. The shortcomings of the rail passenger sector are highlighted through an evaluation of its performance within a scientific framework, and appropriate solutions are presented to the managers. To maximize the profitability of the national transportation industry, it is advisable to optimize the optimal use of trains throughout the day, taking into account budget constraints and capacity limitations, in a way that considers the efficiency of train use from the perspective of passengers. For this purpose, in this research conducted on one of the busiest rail routes in Iran, each passenger train is considered as a decision-making unit using a data envelopment analysis model. Inputs include the ticket prices of each train, and outputs include the facilities and services provided to passengers. These are identified in the form of criteria and sub-criteria, and their values are determined based on the importance coefficient from the perspective of passengers and their satisfaction. The importance and weight of sub-criteria are also determined through expert opinions and a hierarchical analysis process. To assess the efficiency of passenger trains, output-oriented patterns in terms of efficiency concerning the scale and variable scale efficiency are used. Ultimately, based on the Anderson Peterson method, a comprehensive ranking of trains is provided.
Case study
The case study in the article focuses on all rail transport companies operating on the Mashhad to Tehran route, with the study's statistical population being the passengers utilizing these services. The total number of trains on this route, according to the schedule of passenger trains by the Railways Administration of Khorasan, amounts to 16 different types.
Methodology
In this study, the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method has been utilized as a powerful tool for evaluating and calculating the relative and overall efficiency of passenger trains. After collecting data related to all trains, the values of each criterion for each passenger train were obtained. Mathematical modeling with two assumptions of constant returns to scale and variable returns to scale has been employed with an output-oriented approach. Following the calculation of the efficiency of decision-making units, effective and inefficient units were identified. Subsequently, based on the obtained results, the current situation, and the desired weights of inputs and outputs were determined. Finally, using the Petersen-Anderson method, the ranking of efficient units was performed.
Finding
Based on the findings from the study in the transportation industry, the analysis using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method revealed important criteria and sub-criteria impacting passenger satisfaction. Results showed that certain trains, such as Noor, Saba (High-Speed), Saba (Regular), Zendegi, and Parastoo, were efficient according to the constant returns to scale approach. Additionally, the variable returns to scale approach identified other efficient trains including Noor, Pardis, Fadak, and Khalij-e Fars. Inefficient trains were also identified based on surplus inputs and output deficiencies. The evaluation showcased various deficiencies across different criteria, with specific trains standing out for their shortcomings in different areas such as environmental factors, services, and equipment. The Petersen-Anderson method was utilized for ranking the results, highlighting Saba (Regular) and Saba (High-Speed) trains as the highest-ranked based on the two approaches.
Discussion and conclusion
The main focus of this study is the quantitative evaluation of the quality services of passenger trains from the perspective of passengers on one of the busiest routes in Iran. For this purpose, the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method was employed in the forms of constant and variable returns to scale to assess the efficiency of trains. Additionally, for each of the inefficient trains, efficient trains were introduced as reference points. The results indicate that trains recognized as efficient in the constant returns to scale model are also considered efficient in the variable returns to scale model.
The average efficiency in the variable returns to scale model is 96.0, and in the constant returns to scale model, it is 94.0. With the help of the obtained results, improvement strategies for inefficient units can be identified based on reference patterns. It is essential to note that this evaluation is relative, and if there are changes in the set of units under investigation, the results will also be subject to change.
کلیدواژه‌ها [English]
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