Railway stations as efficiency decision-making units: Input and output DEA model

Abstract

It is known from the literature that efficiency is relative, since it applies to analyzed data only, and that it is identical only in application of two opposite models. In this paper we have revived two essentially different ways, by means of which for different data is reached the same efficiency: the input and the output model received using the DEA method (Data Envelopment Analysis). The information about efficiency is so necessary, however, not sufficient, because a new issue of selection of the most favorable data values or dilemma input vs. output DEA model is open. The solution of this simple theory is complex in practice, therefore, it is necessary to consider realization (difficulty and possibility) of targeted inputs (the input model) and targeted outputs (the output model). A very simple example of railway stations of the Passenger Transport Section Belgrade has shown that from an inefficient model to an efficient one lead: (I) reduction of the number of cashiers and the number of trains, in case of the input model, and (II) increase of the number of passengers and reduction of the number of trains, in case of the output model. In this way, the measures for improvement of efficiency fall within the domain of stations and operators, on one hand, and the market, on the other. Hence the recommendation for railway stations is that not only that they should be flexible themselves, in the context of the input model, but they should also keep up with the environment and fulfill the market conditions through a more effective service, which is the point of the output model.

Keywords

• efficiency
• DEA
• input/output model
• railway stations