Measuring highway efficiency by a DEA approach and the Malmquist index

Authors

  • Joaquim Sarmento Universidade de Lisboa
  • Luc Renneboog Tilburg University
  • Pedro Verga Matos Universidade de Lisboa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18757/ejtir.2017.17.4.3213

Abstract

A growing concern exists regarding the efficiency of public resources spent in transport infrastructures. In this paper, we measure the efficiency of seven highway projects in Portugal over the past decade by means of a data envelopment analysis and the Malmquist productivity and efficiency indices. We distinguish between technical and technological efficiency and find that most highways face a reduction over time in both types of efficiency. This reduction is mainly due to an increase in operating and maintenance costs, follow-up investments, and a decline in traffic. Some highways only experience a reduction in technological efficiency after a decrease in traffic. They compensate with cost controls and stable investments. While controlling for scale efficiencies, we find a lack of pure technical efficiency in highways that are not subject to a competitive environment, which produces a lack of incentives for better management. Not only does evidence exist of poor management due to a lack of competition, but the increased use of outsourcing also increases inefficiencies. The introduction of tolls and the outburst of the economic crisis in Portugal have substantially reduced traffic that further contributes to inefficiency. The local context, such as highways in low-income areas and rural regions with a lower traffic density, also affects highway performance.

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Published

2017-09-01

How to Cite

Sarmento, J., Renneboog, L., & Verga Matos, P. (2017). Measuring highway efficiency by a DEA approach and the Malmquist index. European Journal of Transport and Infrastructure Research, 17(4). https://doi.org/10.18757/ejtir.2017.17.4.3213

Issue

Section

Research articles