Analyzing Factors Influencing the Development of Railway Freight Transportation Service through the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process Technique

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to apply the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) technique to assess factors influencing the development of railway freight transportation services. These factors include four critical performance indicators within the supply chain: responsiveness, cost, reliability, and agility. Moreover, the study aims to develop guidelines for enhancing the effectiveness of railway freight transportation in Chiang Rai province, particularly through the Den Chai–Chiang Rai–Chiang Khong railway route. Data were collected from 9 experts, including logistics service providers, users, and academics then, pairwise comparisons of factors were conducted. The results revealed that the cost factor holds the highest significance at 33.86%, followed by reliability, responsiveness, and agility factors at 28.51%, 26.14%, and 11.49%, respectively. Consistent with satisfaction scores obtained from logistics service users, the cost factor holds the highest satisfaction score at 4.78, followed by reliability, responsiveness, and agility factors with scores of 4.41, 4.16, and 4.01, respectively. The result above will bring towards preparation in railway freight transportation of Chiang Rai province and encouraging entrepreneurs to shift to railway transportation mode in the end.