A Spatial Signature of Sprawl: Or the Proportion and Distribution of Linear Network Circuits

This paper sets out to investigate whether the frequency distribution of the linear network circuits within a graph-based representation of a road transportation system can be helpful in identifying sprawl and, in particular, whether a ‘spatial signature of sprawl’ can be determined. This paper is based upon an earlier study on Peachtree City, Georgia and in particular of its dual transportation system (roads and golf cart paths). In order to fully understand the effect that the dual transportation system has upon Peachtree City, the frequency distribution of its circuits are compared to three, supposed, ‘s uburban’ areas and three, supposed, ‘urban’ districts. The conclusion of this paper is that there is, unquestionably, a measurable continuum between ‘suburbia’ and ‘urbanity’ and that this is reflected in the frequency, length and distribution of the graph network circuits. The main section of this paper is concerned with the presentation and discussion of alternative algorithms for calculating these circuits. This section is followed by an introduction of a selection of methods for interpreting the resulta nt data. Finally, with respect to Peachtree City, this paper concludes that the effect of the dual transportation system is to make it more ‘urban’ than it would otherwise be, although it remains a distinctly suburban environment.