Efficiency Issues: A Passenger Rail Perspective—Summary of Remarks

The subject of this presentation is efficiency as it relates to research needs to enhance passenger rail network performance. The main objective is to stimulate thought on the subject of efficiency, which is defined as "the production of the desired effects or results with the minimum waste of time, effort, or skill." The top-10 list of efficiency issues in passenger rail network performance includes the following key issues: (1) create a safe environment for people; (2) manage behaviors affecting operations; (3) provide performance metrics; (4) effectively deploy "hard" technology; (5) follow a systems approach with a network perspective; (6) provide a clear path from data to decisions; (7) learn from both failure and success; (8) prudently use limited resources; (9) promote cooperation-sharing assets; and (10) keep people in the forefront.