The analysis of operations of the passenger traffic operator in the Republic of Srpska (RS) showed that the volume of passenger transport has, for the last fifteen years, been in constant decline. It is of particular importance that the operator has, year after year, recorded a negative balance of business. The way out of the current unfavorable situation in the sector of passenger traffic is based on the application of Public Service Obligation (PSO) based on the Regulation 1370/2007. In order to solve the problems, seven realistically possible variants have been identified. This paper defines the criteria for selecting the best variant, as well as a new integrated fuzzy model for the selection of the best variant that will enable the operator to make a profit. To define the weights of criteria in this paper, we have used the fuzzy PIvot Pairwise RElative Criteria Importance Assessment (F-PIPRECIA) method, while for ranking and selection of the best variant, we have used the Fuzzy Evaluation based on Distance from Average Solution (F-EDAS) method. Results show that the seventh variant: “Increase in revenue from ticket sales and PSO services and reduction in costs“ is the best solution in current conditions. Validation tests are performed with different scenarios and approaches and show that the model is stable. A validity test was created consisting of variations in the significance of model input parameters, testing of reverse rank, applying the fuzzy Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to the COmpromise Solution (F-MARCOS), fuzzy Simple Additive Weighing (F-SAW) method, and fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (F-TOPSIS). As a part of the validation tests, Spearman’s coefficient of correlation (SCC) in some scenarios is performed and weights of the criteria have been obtained using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (F-AHP) and Full Consistency Method (FUCOM).
In free market conditions, if public passenger transport services are commercially unprofitable, there will be no interest for transport companies to perform them. However, directly because of the citizens’ interests, on the one hand, and indirectly because of the economy, passenger public transport services have become of a general public interest. The authorities must prepare appropriate legal fair market conditions, based on which public transport will be subsidized and conducted. In order to achieve that, for the mutual benefit of the public, users and transport companies, it is necessary that the right Public Service Obligation Model (PSO model or in some literature PCS—Public Service Compensation) be defined. Within this study, the optimal approach to assigning a PSC contract to transport companies for performing the PSO in integrated and regular public passenger transport systems is determined. A novel model, presented in this paper, can help national, regional and local authorities to choose and determine the way and level of PSCs for conducting the public transport of passengers and establishing a sustainable public passenger transport system.
Rail transport has unmistakable sustainable (environmental and economic) advantages in goods transportation on a massive scale. Goods loading constitutes an important segment of goods transportation by rail. Incorrect loading can be a serious threat to traffic safety as well as a generator of unforeseen expenses related to goods, railway infrastructure and vehicles. At the beginning, the paper identifies the presence of incorrect loading into freight railcars. The analysis of the available loading software has led to the conclusion that no software offers adequate support to the planning and monitoring of the loading of goods into a covered railcar using a forklift truck. For this reason, the main aim of the research is to formulate a mathematical model that includes real-world constraints, as well as the design and implementation of an original user-friendly load planning and monitoring software system. Experimental evaluations of the implemented software have been made based on single and multiple railcar pallet loading problems, considering the following three optimization criteria: maximization of wagon load weight, maximization of wagon volume utilization and maximization of weighted profit. By testing the optimization and visualization features of the software and analyzing the results, it has been concluded that it can offer full support to real load planning and monitoring problems.