FACTORS AFFECTING THE SUCCESS OF RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS : A CASE OF THAILAND

Abstract

This research aims to identify and quantify influence of success factors for rail infrastructure development projects associated with Thai's logistics platform. Projects included in this research are the recent double tracking railways projects and new railways construction projects that are under development. Researcher had extracted 24 factors through literature review associated with rail freight transport and transportation projects. Factors were categorized in five dimensions and analytical hierarchy process model was proposed. Influence of the factors were quantified through a survey containing pairwise comparison questions. By applying analytical hierarchy process and fuzzy theory, leading success factors were identified. The success factor that has the highest influence to rail infrastructure development projects is rail development masterplan, follows by transit oriented development. Therefore, researcher recommends that it is crucial for Thai government to establish a long-term and solid masterplan for rail infrastructure development projects that focus on both freight and passenger transport. Along with the masterplan proposition; encouragement for local market development for rail industry products, rail assembly and public-private partnership scheme; and legislation of new rail regulating agency should also be stimulate altogether.