Analysis of Factors Affecting Walking Speed Based on Natural Field Data: Considering the Attributes of Travelers and the Travel Environment
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The study presented in the manuscript aims to disentangle the impact of a number of factors on the walking speed of pedestrians. The article is well-structured, clearly written, and methodologically advanced. Nevertheless, there are major concerns about the sample and the consequent bias it produces. The analysis relied on 31 volunteers (possibly university students and researchers) in their 20s. This is already highly problematic, as this group is not representative of the whole population of pedestrians. In fact, people of different ages will behave differently (in this regard see: Talamini, G., Shao, D., Chow, A. H., & Sun, G. (2022). The controversial impact of pedestrian guardrails on road crossing behaviours. Evidence from Hong Kong. Urban Design International, 27(2), 156-172). Moreover, while the volunteers were 31 the analysis is performed on 325 samples of their routes over one month survey period: this a terrible mistake! 1) The paper does not specify the number of routes per volunteer and if those routes are equal in number for each participant (cannot be, because 325/31=10.48!) Furthermore, the peculiar behavior of one participant (e.g., the one with weight above average) may produce an unsurmountable bias. The analysis shall be performed on the 31 participants not on their routes! Also, weighting shall be adopted to equalize the number of routes for each participant.
On a minor note: describing the walking environment used by the participants and possibly showing their route trajectories may be helpful for discussing the difference with other environments like Hong Kong's one cited above.
The English language is fine
Author Response
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Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
The authors will discuss an interesting issue, which is the speed of pedestrians, in terms of the concept of traffic engineering management, such calculations are needed. Probably, to a significant extent, such knowledge would support the planning of traffic lights for pedestrians and vehicles, taking into account the green wave for pedestrians.
The authors report that 31 volunteers were identified in terms of personal characteristics. Were the volunteers measured and classified into a given percentile group? The dimensions of individual body parts of the volunteers will certainly affect their way of moving. Did the authors make such measurements or omitted due to too small a group of volunteers? In environmental factors, it seems to be appropriate for the authors to include the degree of safety of the volunteers. This means that if pedestrians are crossing the road or walking on the sidewalk, they may pass without paying attention to their surroundings, or they may observe their surroundings and walk more slowly, e.g. entering a pedestrian crossing observing the surroundings whether a vehicle is approaching or not, may affect the speed of the pedestrian.
The age of outsiders from 20 to 28 years is a relatively narrow research group. I believe that the authors should check whether such a group is a statistically significant group or whether it can be called a pilot study.
In terms of statistics, did the authors make statistical inferences, what tests were carried out?? Which data correlates most with the time and speed of the volunteers' movement?
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Dear Authors,
Please find the attached file for your reference. Please update the manuscript based on the comments and resubmit it.
Regards
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
Minor editing of the English language required
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Improvements are only marginal. The analysis is not yet modified. The literature review not expanded as suggested.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Dear Authors,
Thank you for addressing all my comments and I don't have any further concerns on this paper.
Regards
Minor editing of the English language required
Author Response
Dear Reveiwer,
Thank you for your comments and assistance with the manuscript.
Regards
Round 3
Reviewer 1 Report
Feedback has been taken seriously.
