Performance Evaluation Using Data Envelopment Analysis and Geographic Information Systems: A Case Study of Monterey Salinas Transit

摘要

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is an optimization-based technique widely used to measure relative efficiencies of public transit agencies. However, current literature pays little attention to the spatial aspects of transit systems. This study aims to combine DEA and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to evaluate the performance of a public transit system, taking into account both the operations and operational environment. GIS is first used to create demographic profiles within the service corridor of each bus line. Then DEA method is applied to compute and analyze relative efficiency scores for each bus line from operational and geographical perspectives, respectively. This approach allows for close inspection of both spatial efficiency and effectiveness of bus lines. Recommendations are given on how to improve the performances of bus lines based on the characteristics of the two types of efficiency scores.