A Multi-Criteria Evaluation Framework for Railway Sidings Supporting Sustainable Freight and Strategic Infrastructure Planning

Lenka Černá (), Vladimír Klapita and Zdenka Bulková
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Lenka Černá: Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications, University of Žilina, 010 26 Žilina, Slovakia
Vladimír Klapita: Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications, University of Žilina, 010 26 Žilina, Slovakia
Zdenka Bulková: Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications, University of Žilina, 010 26 Žilina, Slovakia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-23

Abstract: This paper introduces a novel multi-criteria evaluation system for railway sidings, designed to support sustainable freight transport and strategic infrastructure planning. The methodology is original because it integrates six criteria—technical, economic, operational, environmental, legal, and socio-economic—into a transparent scoring model based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). This structured approach reduces subjectivity, ensures replicability, and enables the evidence-based prioritization of infrastructure investments. Policy relevance is emphasized by aligning the model with EU decarbonization targets and national railway development strategies, providing actionable guidance for decision-makers. The framework was applied to the SCP Mondi siding as a case study, achieving an Overall Quality Index (OQI) score of 4.175, categorizing it as a high-performing siding. Sensitivity analysis of weighting factors confirmed the model’s robustness and adaptability across different contexts. These results highlight the framework’s practical value in optimizing resource allocation, revitalizing underused infrastructure, and accelerating the modal shift to rail.

Keywords: railway sidings; sustainable freight transport; infrastructure evaluation; circular economy; modal shift; strategic planning; transport policy; infrastructure reuse; environmental impact; resilience (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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