Eco-friendly transport vs. car usage: A data envelopment analysis of efficiency in the South Moravian Region, Czech Republic

The intensity of transported passengers is growing in the South Moravian region. Along with the increase in passenger flow, the number of private cars is also increasing. This paper discusses the highly relevant issue of determining the efficiency of mobility in the South Moravian Region, including both private and regional public transport. For the assessment, the study utilises a non-parametric DEA-CCR model. The objectives of the study are to (i) identify the main evaluation criteria of the transport efficiency for passengers, (ii) determine the frequency of single-transport usage and alternative combinations, and (iii) use DEA to identify an efficient transport design and discuss the suitability of the method for this transport issue. It has been observed that travel time and travel cost are the main criteria for passengers. These factors, along with the carbon footprint and frequency of transport usage, were incorporated into the analysis. Respectively, we chose time, cost, and carbon footprint as inputs, with transport usage as the output for the key variables for the DEA application. Despite walking having the lowest carbon footprint and cars having the highest, the results indicate that both are the most efficient modes of movement within the region. Furthermore, the public transport system in Brno and the regional transport in Blansko are classified as efficient based on analyses by individual municipalities. We discovered that neither the travel cost nor the carbon emissions deter individuals from using automobiles. As a recommendation, the cars stand out as a significant mode of transport, which necessitates a specific efficiency assessment based on different criteria. Moreover, while bicycles are recognised as a significant eco-mobility alternative, they are deemed inefficient due to their infrequent daily usage. The results of the DEA analysis indicate that urban and regional public transportation, as well as their combination, represent an inefficient mode of transportation for passengers (except Brno and Blansko). This suggests that regional and municipal authorities should support further development of public transportation, improve infrastructure for cycling and other micromobility options, advocate for greater emissions reduction, and promote broader public transport usage.