Assessing efficiency of public bicycle system by DEA

Efficiency assessment is effective and necessary to guarantee sustainable operation of public bicycle system (PBS). To balance costs and benefits, a DEA efficiency assessment model for PBS was built. Six possible scenarios were used to evaluate efficiency in typical Beijing regions with built PBS. The general efficiency of PBS is high and returns increased after scaling up. Scenarios analysis helps to optimize allocations. Better uses of inner elements of PBS are helpful to improve PBS efficiency. According to DEA projection principle, road map for transition from DEA in efficiency to efficiency is explored, such as cost adjustment strategies for different scenarios. These data could benefit PBS policy making in the Beijing transportation system.