Factors affecting delays in rail transportation projects using analytic network process: The case of Iran

Delays in the implementation and commissioning of rail transportation projects can cause economic damages to project stakeholders and the cities linked by such rail networks. Hence, the current study aims to investigate the key delay factors and provides salient recommendations. In this study, multi-criteria decision-making–the Analytic Network Process (ANP) and the DEMATEL (Decision Making trial and evaluation laboratory) method was employed to help decision-makers in prioritizing these delay factors and evaluating their interactions, respectively. A Delphi approach was used to validate the study’s findings via expert questionnaire surveys–based on a rail transportation development project for the Mobarakeh Steel Complex (MSC). The study’s findings revealed the management factors as the most important delay factors, followed closely by the financial, design, and implementation factors. Other potent issues include the existence of numerous decision-making stations, lack of central role, and sufficient authority for the project managers are responsible for project delays. Overall, the results show that resolving problems with the 'management' domain can significantly avoid or alleviate the extent of delays in rail transportation development projects. The study’s findings and recommendations can serve as a policy and consultative instrument for the relevant stakeholders in the railway industry.