ZIMSEC O Level Geography Notes: Transport: Transport Network analysis

 

The transport network system of Uganda. 

  • A transport network is  a spatial pattern of transportation facilities in a given region
  • It shows the pattern of transportation facilities that cover a given area e.g. a country, region or continent
  • Various methods are used to analyse and describe transport networks
  • These vary from graphical approaches, descriptive or qualitative approaches as well as quantitative methods
  • Topological maps and graphs are often used to analyse transport networks
  • Various terms are used when doing this
  • These terms include:
  • Route- refers to a pathway followed by transport type
  • A route is typically shown by a solid line linking nodes
  • It is also called an edge or a link
  • Node- is any settlement through which a route passes or ends
  • Transport routes link or connect node which maybe homes, villages, towns, mines or cities.
  • All routes begin and end at different type of nodes.
  • Routes and edges can be used to calculate the beta index of a transport network 
\text{Beta Index (B.I)} = \dfrac{\text{ number of edges} }{\text {number of nodes}}
  • The larger the beta index, the better the connectivity of settlements in an area.
  • As transport networks develop and become more efficient, the value of the B.I should rise.

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