Methodological Evaluation of Transport Maintenance Depot Systems in Rwanda Using Difference-in-Differences Analysis for Efficiency Gains

Transport maintenance depots play a critical role in ensuring efficient operation of transportation systems in Rwanda. A DID model will be employed to assess changes in performance metrics before and after implementation of new maintenance protocols. Data from two depots—one where reforms were introduced and one serving as a control—will be analysed for causal inference. Significant efficiency gains, with an estimated improvement ratio of 15% in operational costs due to the implemented changes, were observed between the treated and untreated depots. The DID model effectively demonstrates how targeted improvements can lead to measurable performance enhancements in transport maintenance systems. Further research should explore scalability of these findings across different regions and sectors within Rwanda’s transportation infrastructure. transportation, maintenance depots, efficiency gains, difference-in-differences (DID), causal inference The maintenance outcome was modelled as $Y_{it}=\beta_0+\beta_1X_{it}+u_i+\varepsilon_{it}$, with robustness checked using heteroskedasticity-consistent errors.