Factor and Influential Variables Affecting Maintenance Cost of Urban 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 activity needed to sustain its reliability, availability, maintainability, and safety. This research paper aims to analyse, evaluate, and rank the variables that influence the rolling stock maintenance cost. A quantitative research method was adopted for data collection. Data collection involving five train operating companies that include Malaysia's rolling stock practitioners was accomplished using a survey. The research first identified the influential variables associated with rolling stock maintenance cost through systematic literature review. Then, 14 influential variables and five groups of factors that affect rolling stock maintenance cost were identified. Variables identified were used as basis for designing the survey. Judgmental sampling was utilized for sampling purposes. The data collected from survey were analysed using importance index to accomplish ranking analysis. The research has discovered that spare part cost, manpower cost and equipment cost are the highest ranked influential variables contributing towards rolling stock maintenance cost. This study has highlighted the possibility of future major studies concerning influential cost in establishing cost predictive model for rolling stock maintenance.