Study of operation efficiency of urban railway rolling stock using DEA: Forcused Seoul Metro line #1

Abstract

In urban railway rolling stock operations, selection, extend use and disposal decisions should be carefully considered because these decisions are closely related to safety of operation, punctuality and customer service. Also, they comprise a core factor for determining the entire life-cycle cost of the operating period. In this study, we conducted DEA(Data Envelopment Analysis) with Seoul METRO Line #1's two types of rolling stocks in order to determine the difference in efficiency between rolling stock types. We confirmed the change of rolling stock efficiency before and after the improvement project. The analysis results showed that VVVF control rolling stocks are more efficient than resistance rolling stocks, and the efficiency of VVVF has been improved to be greater than that of the resistance rolling stock through a massive refurbishment project. This study provides implications for urban railway operations, rolling stock purchase, establishing maintenance policy and supply chain for maintenance, etc.