The use of the DEMATEL method to analyze factors influencing the usage of inland waterway transport

The article presents the results of the DEMATEL method (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) method. The method had been used to identify and analyze cause and effect relationships between factors that influence the use of inland waterway transport. The author took into account interactions between seven factors. The factors were: (1) accessibility and condition of ports, transshipment infrastructure, shipyards, and service areas, (2) operating parameters of the linear infrastructure (waterways and locks), (3) technical condition of the fleet, (4) human errors committed by crew, infrastructure operators, and/or decision makers, (5) climate and weather conditions (floods, droughts, wind, ice, groundwater level), (6) financing the water transport system - repairs, ongoing maintenance of infrastructure; subsidies and discounts for shipowners, (7) availability of information (e.g. navigation messages), method of data collection and distribution, communication and promotion of inland navigation. The analysis based on the DEMATEL method used the survey conducted among Polish experts in the field of inland waterway transport. The results of the analysis show that the most influencing factor is financing, and the most important cause influencing inland waterway transport is climate.