Operational Effıciency and Energy Saving Analysis of Urban Transportation: The Case of Akcaray

Authors : Zafer Aydin

Pages : 157-175

Doi:10.30931/jetas.977795

View : 11 | Download : 6

Publication Date : 2022-12-30

Article Type : Research

Abstract :Light rail systems are sustainable, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly alternatives to public transport systems that can offer solutions to increasing traffic density. As a solution to that traffic congestion, Akcaray, the first public transportation light rail system in Kocaeli, was launched by Ulasımpark in Kocaeli in 2017. In this study, operational efficiency and service level performance of 12 trams belonging to Akcaray, and 4 bus lines that interact with Akcaray route are compared with one another by Data Envelopment Analysis. It is found out that while the performance efficiency score of Akcaray is 100% in all 12 trams, it is 100% for one bus line only out of 4 busses. In addition, transportation costs, such as energy/fuel, maintenance cost, accident and environmental costs are calculated, and compared separately for both transportation options. Because Akcaray offers less energy consumption per passenger, it is calculated that USD 317,737/year can be saved, thus as a result, Akcaray consumes 1,3 million Sm3 compressed natural gas less while performing public transportation.
Keywords : Public transport, energy saving, light rail system, data envelopment analysis