Operational efficiency and energy saving analysis of urban transportation: A case study

ABSTRACT

Ulasımpark debuted Akcaray in Kocaeli, the first public transit light rail line in the city, in 2017. In this study, the operational efficiency and service-level performance of 12 Akcaray trams and four bus lines that intersect with the Akcaray route are evaluated using Data Envelopment Analysis to determine the efficiencies of various decision-making units. While Akcaray’s performance efficiency score is 100% for all 12 trams, it is 45% for the bus line 1, 76% for the bus line 2, 0.61% for the bus line 3, and 1 hundred percent for the bus line 4. Out of the four buses, only one has a 100% efficiency rating. Transportation expenses, such as energy/fuel, maintenance, accident, and environmental costs, are also assessed and compared separately for both modes of transportation. This study aimed to find a means to calculate a legitimate efficiency measure for Akcaray and bus lines, and it was determined that Akcaray could save USD 1,885,986 per year on Kocaeli public transit. It also saves over 4 million cubic meters of compressed natural gas.

KEYWORDS:

• Public transport
• energy saving
• light rail system
• data envelopment analysis
• city transportation

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the data support from the Ulasımpark AS (https://www.ulasimpark.com.tr). This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Author contributions

Cagman S. and Taser S. have contributed to the design and implementation of the research. Cagman S. was the advisory of Taser S., and this paper was created by Taser’s MSc thesis. Taser S. has performed data collection from Ulasımpark. Cagman S. has analyzed the data, revealed the analysis of the results, and has prepared the writing of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Nomenclature

CCR Charnes, Cooper and Rhodes

CNG Compressed Natural Gas

DEA Data Envelopment Analysis

DMU Decision Making Units

EMS Efficiency Measurement System

kWh kilowatt-hour

LRS Light Rail System

m³ Cubic Meter

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.