01043550

Component

Spatial networks display both topologic and geometric variations in their structure. This study investigates the measurement of road network structure. Existing measures of heterogeneity, connectivity, accessibility, and interconnectivity are reviewed and three supplemental measures are proposed, including measures of entropy, connection patterns, and continuity. Proposed measures were applied to 16 test networks, which were derived from 4 idealized base networks: 90-degree, 45-degree, 30-degree, and completely connected. The results show that the differentiated structures of road networks can be evaluated by the measure of entropy; predefined connection patterns of arterial roads can be identified and quantified by the measures of ringness, webness, beltness, circuitness, and treeness. A measure of continuity evaluates the quality of a network from the perspective of travelers. Proposed measures could be used to describe the structural attributes of complicated road networks quantitatively, to compare different network structures, and to explore the structural evolution of networks in the spatial and temporal context. These measures can find their applications in urban planning and transportation practice.

01042056

07-0670

English

31p

2007

Transportation Research Board 86th Annual Meeting

CD-ROM

Figures (5) ; References; Tables (2)

Accessibility; City planning; Connectivity; Entropy (Communications); Heterogeneity; Land use; Land use planning; Spatial analysis; Structural design; Transportation planning

Interconnectivity; Road networks

Design; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2007 Paper #07-0670

TRIS, TRB

Feb 8 2007 5:16PM