Efficiency Measurement of Bridge Maintenance Using Data Envelopment Analysis

Abstract

A companion paper by the writers introduces the framework that was developed using an approach called data envelopment analysis to measure the overall efficiency of road maintenance operations while considering the effects of environmental and operational factors (both of which are beyond the control of the decision maker, i.e., the maintenance manager) on such overall efficiency. Such paper introduced the data envelopment analysis approach, presented the road maintenance efficiency measurement framework and provided an overview of the data and modeling issues faced during the earlier stages of the implementation of the framework to the Virginia Department of Transportation’s case for the maintenance of bridges. This paper presents the core implementation stages of the framework in trying to identify (1) the relative efficiency of seven counties of Virginia in performing bridge maintenance; (2) the benchmarks (peers) and targets that pertain to the inefficient counties; and (3) the effects of the environmental and operational factors on the road maintenance efficiency of counties. The results and discussions presented in this paper can be used to direct decision makers’ attention to develop a better understanding of the reasons why some counties are more efficient than others.