A park-and-ride (P&R) system is a set of facilities where private vehicle users can transfer to public transport to continue their journey. The main advantage of the system is decreasing the congestion in the central business district. This paper aims to analyze the most significant factors related to a Park-and-Ride facility location by adopting a combined model of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Best Worst Method (BWM). The integrated model is applicable for complex problems, which can be structured as a hierarchy with at least one 5 × 5 pairwise comparison matrix (PCM) (or bigger). Applying AHP for at least 5 × 5 PCM may generate inconsistent matrices, which may cause a loss of reliable information. As a solution for this gap, we conducted BWM, which generates more consistent comparisons compared to the AHP approach. Moreover, the model requires fewer comparisons compared to the classic AHP approach. That is the main reason of adopting the AHP-BWM model to evaluate Park-and-Ride facility location factors for a designed two-level hierarchical structure. As a case study, a real-world complex decision-making process was selected to evaluate the Park-and-Ride facility location problem in Cuenca city, Ecuador. The result shows that the application of multi-criteria methods becomes a planning tool for experts when designing a P&R system.

The park-and-ride (P&R) system is crucial for urban development and mobility as its strategic location helps to reduce congestion, reduce pollution, and encourage the use of public transport. Various methods have been proposed to determine its optimal location, ranging from algorithms and mathematical equations to multi-criteria approaches that consider a set of criteria and sub-criteria. Multi-criteria methods are diverse, and it is essential to know which methods have been applied to the optimal location of a P&R system. This study addresses the existing gaps in multi-criteria methods used in the localization of a P&R system through a systematic review based on the PRISMA protocol, examining 25 articles published between 2014 and 2024 in Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS). The results highlight that the multi-criteria AHP method is the most relevant and widely used. The criterion of accessibility to public transport is the most important criterion for setting up a P&R system in an urban environment. The flexibility of the multi-criteria AHP method, combined with other factors, makes it relevant in the process of P&R locations. However, the multi-criteria methods found in this research show that a wide range of multi-criteria methods have not yet been applied. Future research should focus on developing comprehensive systems that combine multiple multi-criteria methods, which is essential to optimize mobility solutions adapted to the specific characteristics and objectives of each city in establishing a P&R system.

Traffic collisions are the seventh leading cause of death in Ecuador, with reckless driving being one of the main causes. Although there are statistical data on traffic crashes, there has not yet been a comprehensive investigation of the causes. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to investigate unsafe driving behavior using a modified version of the Spanish Driving Behavior Questionnaire (SDBQ) adapted for Ecuador. The 34-item SDBQ we used has four main dimensions: lapses, errors, violations, and aggressive driving. To apply the SDBQ, a stratified random probability sample of 470 drivers with valid driver’s licenses aged 18–69 was used. Of the drivers, 68.8% were male, while 33.2% were female. We used a chi-square test and descriptive statistics to analyze the data for the SDBQ application items. Finally, four generalized linear Poisson models were used. The results show that taxi drivers have the highest scores on three of the four main dimensions of the SDBQ and male drivers are more likely than female drivers to cause traffic accidents. Drivers are also more likely to cause traffic accidents if they drive more hours per day. This research is the first of its kind to analyze driver behavior-based solutions in Ecuador to reduce traffic accidents. The error factor is the most critical outcome of dangerous behavior in the city of Cuenca. The SDBQ aims to foster a culture of safety and sustainability by promoting road safety measures through legislation and traffic regulations.

This research presents a comprehensive diagnosis of Ecuador’s electricity generation (2003–2024), focusing on structural vulnerabilities, fuel dependence, and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from electricity generation. The technological composition of the grid, including installed and effective capacity, as well as the share of fossil and organic fuels, is analyzed to construct a coherent analytical framework. GHGs (i.e., CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O) are estimated from fuel consumption in Non-Conventional Renewable Energy (NCRE) and Non-Renewable Energy (NRE), in accordance with the 2006 IPCC Guidelines. Conversion to CO₂ equivalent utilizes the AR5 GWP factors, in agreement with AR6. The results present annual series for each gas and their corresponding CO₂ equivalents, showing that NREs dominate the CO₂ profile, while NCREs contribute significantly to CH₄ and N₂O. Despite the expansion of installed capacity, a gap persists with effective capacity, reflecting the structural vulnerabilities of Ecuador’s electricity generation system, including exposure to hydrological variability (Kraftnōt, referring in this research to electricity shortages caused by reduced hydropower generation under adverse hydrological conditions), insufficient thermal backup, a high concentration of hydropower plants, fluctuating fossil fuel subsidies, and limited diversification. This manuscript provides a technical and quantitative basis using annual CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O values and their CO₂ equivalents to inform future decarbonization scenarios that strengthen NCRE integration within international climate commitments and a sustainable electricity transition.