Does the Mass Public Transport System Cover the Social Transport Needs? Targeting SDG 11.2 in Guadalajara, Mexico
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
In the reviewed paper, the Authors analyzed how SITEUR, the Mass Public Transport System in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, covers transport social needs, contributing to achieving Sustainable development goals. In order to facilitate this, the Authors measured the Index of Mass Transport Provision through proximity, frequency, and capacity. Then, they calculated the Index of Social Transport Needs by means of transport disadvantage indicators. Finally, the Authors calculated the Index of Social Transport Needs Covered. The calculations used Geographic Information Systems and Principal Component Analysis in 1,834 geographic sections. The findings highlight that 50.3% of the inhabitants have a very high level of social transport needs, while only 6.8% of the population have very low social transport needs. Results show that SITEUR promotes advancement in public transport systems relative to quality, security, and reliability and it also contributes to tackling social exclusion. Moreover, the Authors included a proposal related to transport systems integration, in order to address an important aspect of social exclusion in the city. In my opinion, the paper can be published, after taking into account the following remarks:
- the paper should be formatted according to the Applied Science journal requirements. At the moment, we can find some differences compared to the Applied Science journal requirements, e.g. in formatting the tables,
- all equations presented in the paper text should be numbered as is required by the Applied Science journal requirements (not like in a present form),
- when the Authors describing the accessibility of public road transport, the Authors focused on transport exclusion. Unfortunately, the Authors did not describe other features affecting the accessibility of public transport in a broad context. In order for such a system to work properly, not only the transport of private carriers over the last mile mentioned by the Authors is an element supporting accessibility, but also Park and Ride systems, which enable efficient access to and leaving the private vehicle in the parking lot located at the public transport stop. In the Introduction section, the Authors should mention that such systems exist and briefly describe what they are, what has already been described e.g. in the works: "The analysis of the factors determining the choice of park and ride facility using a multinomial logit model", DOI 10.3390 / en14010203; "A P-Hub Location Problem for Determining Park-and-Ride Facility Locations with the Weibit-Based Choice Model", doi.org/10.3390/su13147928; "The use of a park and ride system a case study based on the City of Cracow (Poland)", DOI 10.3390 / en13133473; it is well described. One short paragraph in an Introduction section will be enough,
- equation 1 and equation 2: what does it mean "i" and "j"? It should be explained below the equation,
- table 1: what does it mean "*"? The Authors used a "*" in the table without further explanation. It should be explained,
- between figure 2 and the description of figure 2, we can found the text. This is probably a mistake and should be improved,
- above figure 1 we can found a text like follows "Population Density in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area". This text should be deleted because it is a repetition of the figure description located below figure 1. The same remark is dedicated to all such cases connected with figures in the paper text,
- In "Table 2. Factors, Indicators, and Data Sources Used to Assess the Index of Mass Transport Provision and the Index of Transport Social Needs" in the last column called "Souce" the source reference items should be added (not only a verbal description),
- in "Table 3. Social Indicators Weights" we can found weights. They come from ISTN, as the Authors wrote. The question is: are these indicators' weights still valid?
- currently, the "Conclusions" section takes the form of a Discussion. Detailed conclusions from the analysis presented in the article should be added to the Conclusions section.
Author Response
Answers to Reviewer 1 comments and suggestions
Comment 1
English language and style are fine/minor spell check required
Answer 1
The paper was reviewed by an English native speaker for fine/minor spell check.
Section
All sections
Comment 2
The paper should be formatted according to the Applied Science journal requirements. At the moment, we can find some differences compared to the Applied Science journal requirements, e.g. in formatting the tables.
Answer 2
The paper was reformatted according to the Applied Science journal, in particular, equations, tables, figures (and their references). Required statements were also added, e.g., supplementary materials, author contributions, funding, among others required by the journal.
Section
All sections
Comment 3
All equations presented in the paper text should be numbered as is required by the Applied Science journal requirements (not like in a present form).
Answer
The equations were renumbered as required by the Applied Science journal.
Section
Metodology
Comment 4
In the Introduction section, the Authors should mention that Park and Ride systems exist and briefly describe what they are, what has already been described e.g. in the works: "The analysis of the factors determining the choice of park and ride facility using a multinomial logit model", DOI 10.3390 / en14010203; "A P-Hub Location Problem for Determining Park-and-Ride Facility Locations with the Weibit-Based Choice Model", doi.org/10.3390/su13147928; "The use of a park and ride system a case study based on the City of Cracow (Poland)", DOI 10.3390 / en13133473; it is well described. One short paragraph in an Introduction section will be enough.
Answer
The proposed literature was reviewed and includes a new paragraph that relates to Park & Ride systems in general contexts: "Besides the private carriers over the last mile to access the mass transport system and reduce transport related exclusion, other features, such as Park and Ride, are designed to support the successful operation of the system. Park & Ride are parking areas located in the vicinity of mass transport peripheral stations. People can leave their private vehicles there and use public transportation to travel to central areas. Unfortunately, the Park & Ride paradigm is not as well-established in the GMA, as it is in many cities. For instance, the Park & Ride system in Warsaw reduces social exclusion, as cars, bikes and motorcycles can be parked in interchange nodes [5,6]."
Section
Introduction
Comment 5
Equation 1 and equation 2: what does it mean "i" and "j"? It should be explained below the equation
Answer
The “i” and “j” meaning were included when applied. The "i" value only applies when social factors are included in the equation. We appreciate this comment since there was a typing mistake in equation 2, thus it was changed according to the calculation performed.
Section
Methodology
Comment 6
Table 1: what does it mean "*"? The Authors used a "*" in the table without further explanation. It should be explained
Answer
The table footer was added to explain the notation, i.e, "* This BRT line was not included. It was under construction when the analysis was performed."
Section
Methodology
Comment 7
Between figure 2 and the description of figure 2, we can found the text. This is probably a mistake and should be improved
Answer
The layout mistake was corrected.
Section
Guadalajara Metropolitan Area and SITEUR
Comment 8
Above figure 1 we can found a text like follows "Population Density in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area". This text should be deleted because it is a repetition of the figure description located below figure 1. The same remark is dedicated to all such cases connected with figures in the paper text.
Answer
All figures were redesigned to avoid texts similar to each figure caption.
Section
Guadalajara Metropolitan Area and SITEUR & Results and discussion.
Comment 9
In "Table 2. Factors, Indicators, and Data Sources Used to Assess the Index of Mass Transport Provision and the Index of Transport Social Needs" in the last column called "Souce" the source reference items should be added (not only a verbal description)
Answer
All source references were included in Table 2 as well as in the Reference section.
Section
Methodology
Comment 10
In "Table 3. Social Indicators Weights" we can found weights. They come from ISTN, as the Authors wrote. The question is: are these indicators' weights still valid?
Answer
Yes, they are. Weights were the result of the Principal Component Analysis (PCA), thus they are valid within data used in this particular study case. They might change every time the PCA is run with different data input, according to specific contexts.
Section
Methodology
Comment 11
Currently, the "Conclusions" section takes the form of a Discussion. Detailed conclusions from the analysis presented in the article should be added to the Conclusions section
Answer
The second paragraph of the conclusion was changed: "The IMTP was calculated with Geographic Information Systems, using real walking distances and open access data, such as network geometry, capacity, and frequency. The ISTN used social transport indicators assessed with Principal Component Analysis, based on existing literature. The difference between IMTP and ISTN was used to assess the ISTNC, giving a positive or negative value, concerning the coverage or the disparity of STN in a GS.
It can be concluded that there is high inequality in the distribution of social transport needs and transport provision in the GMA SITEUR does not meet the social transport needs in the peripheral areas. Results highlight that SITEUR mainly serves the central areas of the metropolis, as in other Latin American cities. Social transport needs do not match the spatial pattern that the mass transportation infrastructure provides in the city. The calculations reveal that the social needs are distributed, mainly, in the periphery, especially in the south-eastern municipalities."
Section
Conclusions
Reviewer 2 Report
Please see all of my comments in the attached PDF mark-up of the manuscript.
Overall this is a well presented manuscript of a well reasoned study. It will be good for the authors to consider and respond to my comments especially for clarification. Also, more detail is needed about the Exploratory Factor Analysis (PCA) process that was used.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Answers to reviewer’s comments and suggestions
REVIEWER 2
Comment 1
English language and style are fine/minor spell check required
Answer
The paper was reviewed by English native speaking.
Section
Comment 2
Buses usually stop randomly"_Comment: needs clarification - do you mean only when called or flagged?
Answer
Yes, we mean it. The sentence was clarified.
Section
Litterature Review
Comment 3
"The 37% of the inhabitants who go by foot do so mainly for financial reasons"_Comment: this could be clarified in Figure 2
Answer
umbers in Figure 2 were hidden on the PDF, thus the percentages were hidden. Figure 2 was resized, thus the sentence was clarified.
Section
Guadalajara Metropolitan Area and SITEUR
Comment 4
"There is evidence that the private bus service negatively affects the low-income inhabitants"_Comment: how?
Answer
This fact is mentioned by the referred authors. Since the quality of private carriers is not estimated in the article, it was decided to delete the phrase to avoid confusion.
Section
Guadalajara Metropolitan Area and SITEUR
Comment 5
"Frequency used was at peak-time when most people commute to/from work"_Comment: a.m., p.m. or both?
Answer
Morning peak-time frequency was fed into the calculations. This was clarified in the sentence.
Section
Methodology
Comment 6
"Frequency of mode"_Comment: units?
Answer
Units are in minutes, as described in Table 1. This was clarified in equation 1.
Section
Methodology
Comment 7
"ij"_Comment: needs clarification
Answer
The “i” and “j” meaning were included when applied. The "i" value only applies when social factors are included in the equation. We appreciate this comment since there was a typing mistake in equation 2, thus it was changed according to the calculation performed.
Section
Methodology
Comment 8
"The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was inputted with 214 socioeconomic and dwelling variables for the 1,834 GS"_ Comment: citation would be useful here.
Answer
The reference to the Intercensal Survey containing the variables was added.
Section
Methodology
Comment 9
"Social Indicators Weights"_Comment: This label should be clarified in light of the explanation in the paragraph above. What is the feasible value set for each social indicator?
Answer
Sentences were added to explain the principal component calculated: "The weights of the main component variables shown in Table 3 totaled 1.0, as they were previously normalized to be included in subsequent calculations. The weight values represent the contribution of each indicator to the social needs of transport in the GMA. These are valid only for the analyzed data set."
Section
Methodology
Comment 10
"...while transport-related social and dwelling characteristics barely impact 6.8% of the population"_ Comment: this needs clarification.
Answer
The sentence was redrafted and included in the paragraphs that describe Figure 7.
Section
Results and discussion
Comment 11
"the transport provision curve is exponential"_ Comment: not the right descriptor - mathematically can't be exponential.
Answer
The term was changed to “proportional”.
Section
Results and discussion
Comment 12
"Distribution of the Levels of MTP and of STN in the 1,834 "_ Comment: This is repeated data from the table. Perhaps just show it once here.
Answer
Table 4 was eliminated and the description was joined to Figure 7:
"Figure 7 describes the percentage of the population with social transport needs. It shows the distribution of the levels of SITEUR’s provision and of social transport needs in the 1,834 GS, ranged by GS quintiles. Ideally, the transport provision curve is proportional, showing a high percentage of the population at the “very high” provision level. In contrast, the ideal curve of the STN starts with a high percentage of the population for the lower levels of the index and a decreasing percentage of the population as it approaches the high levels of the index. However, the findings of this research reveal that the curve of the STN is almost inverse to the ideal. Furthermore, it presents a sharp slope in the last segment. This means that the highest STN are concentrated in the last quintile of geographic sections. These findings confirm the high inequality of the distribution of social transport needs and transport provision in the GMA.
Figure 7 also shows that the percentage of inhabitants with less than adequate transport provision is almost double that of people served with very high values of the index. Results show that the transport needs of less than a quarter of the population are covered by the SITEUR. It is worth noting that 50.3% of the inhabitants have a very high level of STN, while only 6.8% of the population have very low social transport needs. Despite this, SITEUR only contributes 3% of the city's modal split (Figure 2). Furthermore, the SITEUR does not adequately serve more than half of the population. Notwithstanding that mass transport is scarce in the city, this population ratio is striking, given the high construction and operation costs of SITEUR."
Section
Results and discussion
Comment 13
More detail is needed about the Exploratory Factor Analysis (PCA) process that was used
Answer
Two new paragraphs were added to describe the PCA: "The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is a statistical technique usually used in academic studies concerning the social dimension of transport [68-71], as well as in the evaluation of social public policies in Mexico [72]. The PCA describes correlations between a set of variables by creating new components that propose weights for the original variables. The purpose of the PCA is to obtain a small number of linear combinations of the dataset that account for most of the variability in the data. Each component can be interpreted as one part of the social transport needs. A negative value means that this variable negatively affects the phenomenon.
The variability of the original data is an indicator of the analysis performance. The higher the variability, the better the components account for the phenomenon. The component calculated in this study accounted for 76% of the social transport needs. Table 3 shows the factors which better explain transport-related social needs (TSN) in the city."
Section
Methodology
