Determinat,on of the best transport alternatives by entropy based WASPAS method: a comparative study on cross-competetive routes

Purpose- Users typically choose the option that is most convenient for them in terms of time or cost based on their preferences when multiple options are presented on the same line. In this regard, users' preferences are significantly impacted by the product components given by competing travel options. The aim of this study is to evaluate the criteria that are considered to be effective in competition and user preferences in transport corridors where there is cross-competition, and to rank the routes according to these criteria. Methodology- In this context, transport corridors in Turkey and some European countries have been selected. The criteria evaluation of the selected routes was carried out using the Entropy method and then the ranking of the routes was carried out using the WASPAS method. Findings- It can be seen that the London-Manchester air route is ranked first, while the Paris-Lyon air route is ranked last in the study. Taking into account the HSR ranking, the London-Manchester corridor is in first place, as in the airline sector. Among the selected routes, the Ankara-Istanbul HSR corridor is ranked the last. When it comes to bus transport, the Ankara-Istanbul route is in the top position. On the other hand, the Berlin-Frankfurt corridor comes last. Conclusion- The results of the research are important in terms of understanding the factors that are effective in cross-competition By considering the performance criteria of these routes and their respective weightings, it can inform decisions related to the regulation of fares or the development of investment programmes to enhance the competitiveness of public transport modes such as High Speed Rail (HSR). In essence, this research fills a gap in transport decision studies by providing a comprehensive analysis of routes across all modes and providing actionable insights for policy makers. Keywords: Cross competition, transportation modes, airline, WASPAS, entropy. JEL Codes: D61, L91, L93.