Experimental Study to Improve the Reliability of a Tramway Air Conditioning System in Ouargla, Southern Algeria, using a Hybrid RPI-RPN-Fuzzy MCDM Methodology to Detect Critical Failure Modes via FMEA Technology

Authors

  • Lemnaouer Khaled Electromechanics, Environnement Laboratory, Larbi Tbessi University, Tebessa, Algeria
  • Mounia Taleb Electromechanics, Environnement Laboratory, Larbi Tbessi University, Tebessa, Algeria
  • Rabie Karek Mechanical engineering, Mechanics and Energy Systems Laboratory, Kasdi Merbah University, Ouargla, Algeria
  • Messaoud Louafi Electromechanics, Environnement Laboratory, Larbi Tbessi University, Tebessa, Algeria
  • Zoubir Aoulmi Mining Sciences Laboratory, Larbi Tbessi University, Tebessa, Algeria

Keywords:

FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis), risk priority index function (RPI), risk priority number (RPN), Multiple criteria decision making (MCDM), VIKOR, Tram air conditioning system (AC)

Abstract

The study focuses on analyzing tram air conditioning (AC) maintenance with the goal of enhancing overall reliability and extending the system's lifetime. To improve the design and performance of tram air conditioning maintenance, the FMEA method, which utilizes the Risk Priority Number (RPN), is employed. Limitations such as non-injectivity and non-surjectivity have impacted FMEA. This research introduces an integrated risk assessment model that combines various methodologies to comprehensively evaluate failure modes. The entropy method is utilized to determine the weights of risk variables, followed by integrating failure mode classifications from the RPI, EDAS, VIKOR, and FUZZY TOPSIS models using integrated MCDM techniques. A preference ordering method based on similarity with the optimal solution (TOPSIS) is applied. The effectiveness of the proposed methodologies was verified and the reliability of the system increased by 22.72 % using statistical data and expert opinions for trams in southern Algeria.

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Published

12-12-2025

How to Cite

Khaled, L., Mounia Taleb, Rabie Karek, Messaoud Louafi, & Zoubir Aoulmi. (2025). Experimental Study to Improve the Reliability of a Tramway Air Conditioning System in Ouargla, Southern Algeria, using a Hybrid RPI-RPN-Fuzzy MCDM Methodology to Detect Critical Failure Modes via FMEA Technology. Journal of Applied Optics, 46(S2), 78–105. Retrieved from https://appliedopticsjournal.net/index.php/JAO/article/view/179

Issue

Vol. 46 No. S2 (2025): issue

Section

Original Research Article

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Applied Optics

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