Transport Network Circuity and its Effect on Land Use

Abstract

Transport network, specifically road-based, forms the key element for the development of any city. Changing transport network design to bring about change in land use pattern is a positive approach towards improving the transportation. A key element missing among various modelling methodologies and approaches proposed by researchers is the explicit consideration of the circuity pattern of the actual transport network. The presence of a transport network allows an individual to move faster even if circuitously. As a traveller intends to minimize his travel time and cost distance when moving between two places, the road transport network circuity plays an intricate role. This paper investigates the circuity of the road transport network and examines how the road network circuity influences the demographic and land use activities, so as to better understand the performance of urban transport system. The result of the study shows a variation of network circuity from 1.0 to 1.5, with least values in the inner zones. This means the individuals are to travel direct distance while moving within inner zones, but have to travel much higher distance within outer zones. Moreover, the land use accessibility and activity development is lesser for the zones having comparatively higher network circuity, illustrating the role of the efficient and well-connected road network for urban development.

Keywords: Circuity, Transport network, Land use, Connectivity, GIS technique