Does the Urban Rail Transit Line Type Affect the Operational Efficiency? A Study Based on the DEA-Tobit Method

Efficiency evaluation of urban rail transit lines (URTLs) is essential in identifying operational performance. Given differences of line types in terms of layout and function, the effect of line types on operational efficiency is examined. The performance evaluation and analysis of three types of URTLs in different periods are performed using the data envelopment analysis-Tobit (DEA-Tobit) method. The typical URTLs in Beijing are selected for case study. The cross-efficiency evaluation results show that the efficiency of the connected line is the highest in peak weekday periods, while that of the connected line and loop line is higher in off-peak periods. Sensitivity analysis result shows that efficiency has the highest sensitivity to the input index of traction energy consumption and the output index of passenger turnover. Tobit regression results show the proportion of transfer stations have a significant positive impact on efficiency, whereas average trip length is negatively correlated with efficiency.