Factor and Influential Variables Affecting Maintenance Cost ofUrban Rail Rolling Stock

Abstract

It is a known fact that the cost of maintaining rolling stock is huge due to its higher acquisition cost and maintenance activityneeded to sustain itsreliability, availability, maintainability,and safety. This research paper aims to analyse, evaluate, and rank the variables that influence therolling stock maintenance cost.A quantitative researchmethodwas adopted for data collection. Data collection involving five train operating companiesthat include Malaysia's rolling stock practitioners was accomplishedusing a survey. The research first identified the influential variables associated with rolling stock maintenance cost through systematic literaturereview. Then, 14 influential variablesand five groups of factors that affect rolling stock maintenance costwere identified. Variables identified were used as basis for designing the survey. Judgmental sampling was utilized for sampling purposes. The data collected from survey were analysedusing importance index to accomplish ranking analysis.The research has discovered that spare part cost, manpower cost and equipment cost are the highestrankedinfluential variables contributing towardsrollingstock maintenance cost. This study has highlighted the possibility of future major studies concerninginfluential costin establishingcost predictive model for rolling stock maintenance.