Multimodal Evaluation of Changes in National Potential Passenger and Freight Accessibility during the EU-Driven Big Push to Transport Infrastructure

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Dear authors:

Although the paper analyzes a relevant topic, it is difficult to recommend its publication in the current form due to the following items that need response and improvement:

1. The abstract is short and does not reflect the main contribution of the research article

2. The paper lacks a research novelty. In the current form, it is a descriptive and explanatory model. The current gap and the novel approach need to be explained.

3. The literature review does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the current methods, factors, and areas that the goal of the paper needs to tackle in order to cover the topic. As well as other research articles that have covered the topic from a global and strategic perspective.

4. The research method does not provide the validation of a set of predefined hypothesis.

5. More information about the input data, data treatment and data output needs to be described. It is recommended to include a scheme for that purpose.

6. Instead of discussing specific cases, it is recommended to explain how this cases came into reality, i.e, explaining the cause-effect for them in a generalization so that it can provide insights for other researchers

7. Conclusions are not matched with the paper as they open more questions than the reflection of the actual work performed. It is recommended to add a discussion section for those next developments of the model syndicating other authors that have already developed conceptual and practical models for these topics and open research gaps.

Best regards

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The paper presents a methodical approach to differences in changes in intra-national potential accessibility. Research concerns level of accessibility and its dispersion, both for freight and passenger transport regarding four transport modes. The authors focus on intensive development of transport infrastructure after Poland’s accession to the EU. The authors conclude that outcomes of reducing territorial differences in accessibility are diverse depending on the transport mode: from a generally positive effect in passenger transport to varied effects in freight transport, including particularly highly polarising effects in rail transport. The research method provides the possibility of analysing multimodal changes in accessibility concerning numerous transport modes for any large country or group of countries. Certain development opportunities of the model to be implemented in the future are discussed.

The paper needs significant proofreading. A few examples are:

1. A period is missing at the end of the abstract.

2. The "conclusions" section: a number of fragmented sentences.

The academic contribution of the paper relative to the existing literature should be highlighted.

Who are potential users of the research (i.e., what will benefit from the research), industry, government, or academia?

"It is advisable to put more emphasis on the differences between passenger and freight transport in the context of the speed model and the attractiveness of the destination." -> "It is advisable to put more emphasis on the differences between passenger and freight transport in the context of the speed model and the attractiveness of the destination. Uncertainties are not considered in this study (Wang and Wu, 2021) and it will be an interesting research direction to incorporate uncertainties in the research."

Wang, W. and Wu, Y. 2021. Is uncertainty always bad for the performance of transportation systems? Communications in Transportation Research, 1, 100021.

It seems that this version of paper is not the final version. There are many highlighted parts in the paper.

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

I think it would be nice to insert a diagram of the availability calculation algorithm. Otherwise, it remains not very clear how to reproduce the study

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Dear authors:

Although the paper has improved, it is recommended to consider the following items before considering for publication:

1. It is recommended to point out that that the paper's novelty is focused on a descriptive and explanatory model character based on available data sources.

2. Regarding the literature review, it is recommended to determine which are the methods, factors, and areas considered in the model in comparison with existing models and applications in literature as for example:

Winkler, P.; Gallego-García, S.; Groten, M. Design and Simulation of a Digital Twin Mobility Concept: An Electric Aviation System Dynamics Case Study with Capacity Constraints. Appl. Sci. 2022, 12, 848. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12020848

Yu, Z., & Zhao, P. (2021). The factors in residents' mobility in rural towns of China: Car ownership, road infrastructure and public transport services. Journal of Transport Geography, 91, 102950.

3. As the research method does not provide a formal validation and set of hypothesis, it should included in the limitations in the conclusions.

4. More information about the input data, data treatment and data output needs to be described: please add the references and explain the form in which the data was obtained and processed.

5. Instead of discussing specific cases, it is recommended to explain the causes or main measures that lead to the obtained results.

Best regards

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The revised paper is acceptable.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

thank you for your acceptance of our paper.

Best regards,

Piotr Rosik