Nowadays, travelers can use different modes of transport, and they usually choose the most suitable and reliable mode available. The choice of one mode of transport as an alternative to another is subjective. It is usually built upon passenger attitude toward the advantages and disadvantages of using a particular mode. This article proposes analytical methods for and research results on passenger choices for sustainable train journeys as an alternative to traveling by bus. The rank averages of all criteria and their normalized subjective weights were calculated with reference to new linear (ARTIW-L) and nonlinear (ARTIW-N) methods of average rank transformation into weight. A correlation between sub-criteria rank averages and normalized weights is presented, based on the minimum number of passengers required to be interviewed to provide reliable results. The average ranks assigned by passengers to the evaluation sub-criteria and their global weights were used for determining and describing the most and least important key criteria by applying the inverse hierarchy for assessment of main criteria importance (IHAMCI) method. The analysis shows that the most important key criterion belonged to the sub-criteria characterizing economy, while the less important key criteria included ride comfort. The least important key criteria described safety and environmental protection, whose normalized subjective overall weights were the lowest. Rail transport authorities and companies involved in transporting passengers can make this mode of transport more attractive to people by giving priority to improving the services they provide to passengers.

The significance of the criteria describing various aspects of travel by train, e.g. passenger transportation comfort, safety, travel time, price of a journey, etc., differs considerably. The quality of particular trains, track sections and staff performance can be successfully evaluated by a single number, using the comprehensive quality index (CQI). The paper offers an additive model to calculate the normalized weight coefficients of particular criteria for CQI calculation. A multi-criteria mathematical model, which may be used for evaluating the significance of the criteria describing organization and technology of travel by train for determining its quality, is also presented. Based on the nineteen adopted criteria (the criteria of group B), reflecting the organization and technology of travel by train, the quantitative estimate KB is obtained. Case studies of calculating the comprehensive quality index KB , describing the organization and technology of travel by the train ‘Vilnius–Moscow’, which show the real quality of these processes, are presented. Finally, the conclusions based on the research results are provided.

The choice of a particular mode of transport as an alternative to another one is subjective and usually based on an individual passenger’s approach to the evaluation of advantages and disadvantages of some particular means of transport. The paper presents the methods of analysing the reasons for passengers’ choice of travelling by train as an alternative to using air transport and the results obtained in the research. The 16 criteria (sub-criteria), describing the advantages of travelling by rail over air travel, are defined. The data of the survey questionnaire filled by 52 passengers of the Vilnius–Moscow train and the ranks assigned by them to the considered criteria are described. The average ranks of all 16 criteria and their normalized subjective weights are calculated by using a new method of average rank transformation into weight (ARTIW). The average ranks assigned by the passengers of the train to sub-criteria and the calculated global weights show what criteria are most important. Using the inverse hierarchy model based on the sub-criteria weights, the most and the least important groups of criteria are determined. The institutions and companies engaged in passenger transportation by rail, which give priority to improving the services described by the most important criteria, can make this mode of transport more attractive to people.

Railway rolling stock must meet the requirements related to its use in the transportation process. The significance of these requirements can be determined using expert testing methods. The current research offers a framework of 9 criteria, which have been developed by the authors of the study, and which contribute to a comprehensive assessment of their importance and priority in relation to each other using expert evaluation methods. The normalised weights of the criteria were determined using Average Rank Transformation Into Weight Linear (ARTIW-L), Average Rank Transformation Into Weight Non-linear (ARTIW-N) and Direct Percentage Weight (DPW) methods. The criteria were given ranks and percentage weights by 18 experts with consistent opinions, which made it reasonable to consider the average of the experts’ opinions as the outcome of the task. The normalised weights of the criteria have shown that the most important issues for the experts included passenger and crew safety (0.1619), passenger and train staff ride comfort (0.1330) and environmental protection (0.1201). The least important criteria for the experts cover the range per one electric charge or full tank of fuel (0.0776), the dynamic performance of the traction rolling stock (0.0849), and the purchase price, the rebate system, the duration of the warranty period (0.0911). The other 3 criteria are of medium importance. The outcomes of this study can be used in deciding on the best alternative for rail traction rolling stock.

In Lithuania, the efforts are made to ensure the conditions of safe, comfortable and fast passenger and freight transportation on Lithuanian roads, satisfying geometric characteristics of their particular categories and the specified requirements to their pavement. The considered characteristics of pavement include its roughness, strength and the admissible rut depth and destruction level. Rest and Service Areas (RSAs) are usually set up at the roadside. The paper presents a description of the conditions specified for the movement of motor vehicles on the major Lithuanian roads in the seasons of warm weather and a Classification Model (CM) of the required conditions. It also provides the results of the evaluation of actual Travel Conditions (TCs) on the main Lithuanian roads by using the developed model. The obtained results show that in 2016 on the considered highways were good and very good, except for road A9, where the TCs were satisfactory. It is demonstrated that the distances between RSAs comply with the recommended distances. It is also shown that roughness of pavement and strength of the Structure of the Pavement (SP) depend on the destruction level of pavement. The values of such pavement parameters as roughness, rut depth and destruction level, which should not be exceeded because they help to ensure either comfortable or good TCs on Lithuanian highways, are given. The suggested model of road TCs can be used for determining the quality of TCs on highways.