Evaluating Sustainability of Mass Rapid Transit Stations in Dubai
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
This is a good paper. It would be useful if the authors elaborated about the process of selecting the 1000-user sample.
Author Response
Krejcie Morgan formula for the calculation of the sample size knowing the population size (Line 15 and lines 168-170).
Reviewer 2 Report
My opinion is, that the introduction is too extensive and it´s connected to a literature review. To increase the clarity of the paper, it may be appropriate to divide the two parts into separate parts. It´s only my opinion, not request for correction.
Other research parts are OK on the perfect level.
Author Response
Introduction splited into 2 parts Current situation line 32 and Purpose of the research line 97
Reviewer 3 Report
This study aims at exploring the sustainability of the railway system in Dubai. The data have been collected through questionnaire surveys.
It is not clear that aspects of sustainability mentioned in the paper (lines 8-9) can actually describe the “sustainability” of the railway system. Further, it is not clear why the users have to pay for the maintenance, repair, and operations. Generally, the government authorities manage these issues. People pay for the service (buy tickets) and indirectly participate in these aspects.
It is mentioned in Line 150 that over 1000 responses were collected. Some more information is needed to understand the actual sample size after removing any outliers etc. Further, the data have been collected over 3 years (Line 132). Many seasonal changes can be expected during three years and the author should discuss the validity of the collected sample.
Table 1 presents the socio-demographic characteristics of the data. Apparently, the number of variables is limited and some categories (e.g., age 26-60) do not make sense. For what analysis were this info in the table were used? Further, what types of questions were asked in the questionnaire?
Finally, the significance of the study is not clear and what recommendations does the author through this study suggest?
Author Response
3.1. Reviewed the abstract in order to clarify the type of sustainability the paper focus on. (Lines6-14). Besides the variable willingness to pay has been reviewed to shed some light about the way the users could finance the MRO in line 224.
3.2. Included equation 1 in order to clarify the size of the sample (lines 167-171). In addition, the lack of seasonal changes is clarified in line 147 and 148.
3.3. The type of questions used to gather information are described in lines 172 and 174. Besides, the reason why those socio-demographic features have been selected is added at the end of Sample frame paragraph (lines 200-204).
3.4 The significance of the study plus the recommendations is highlighted in a new paragraph in the conclusion (lines 427-432)
Reviewer 4 Report
Line 11: why 1000 users?
Line 21: the applied methods have to be mentioned here.
Line: 104: is it important to cite 3 works to say that Dubai is the most crowded city in UAE?
The applied methodology has to be presented efficiently, especially 3.4. Statistical Analysis. Related equations have to be presented.
Line 203: Table 2 is not presented immediately , same situation with Table 3.
Figure 1 is presented, however, not mentioned in any part of the paper.
Author Response
4.1. Krejcie Morgan formula for the calculation of the sample size knowing the population size Line 15 and lines 168-170
4.2. The applied methods are included in the abstract and keywords (lines 16-18 and lines 29,39 respectively).
4.3 Removed 2 works in line 118.
4.4. Statistical equations added in line 242 and 253.
4.5. Table 2 and immediately presented in line 237 and 240 respectively.
4.6 Figure 1 is mentioned in line 134
Round 2
Reviewer 3 Report
Considering the reviewer's comments, the authors have made significant changes to the manuscript.
I have no further comments.
Reviewer 4 Report
The paper was not improved efficiently.
