Efficiency Evaluation in Railway System Operations: A Focus on Punctuality of Train Paths

This study addresses the operational efficiency of train paths within a railway system by applying Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to train paths, treating them as decision-making units (DMUs). The primary focus is on punctuality as a crucial aspect of service performance, with the goal of enhancing economic infrastructure through timetable scheduling and management. This research innovatively contributes to the field by integrating systems thinking with DEA, thus offering a non-parametric optimization-based method for performance evaluation in complex socio-technical systems (STS) such as railway transportation systems. By considering train paths as DMUs, this approach enables a detailed performance analysis at both aggregate and disaggregate levels, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of the network's operational dynamics. The study considers the Belgium's railway system (INFRABEL) as a case study and leverages a unique dataset comprised of real-world operational data, which includes various indicators of performance such as punctuality, frequency, and cancellations. The findings highlight significant potential for improving the technical efficiency of train paths, which can lead to better utilization of existing resources and enhanced passenger satisfaction without necessitating extensive capital investment. The study's implications extend to railway operations management, suggesting that strategic adjustments to scheduling and the management of train paths can substantially mitigate operational inefficiencies and enhance overall system performance.