A GIS based methodology to demarcate modified traffic analysis zones in urban areas

Abstract

The Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZs) are considered as the smallest spatial unit in transportation and landuse modelling. In order to enhance the accuracy of a transportation and landuse model, it is important to identify the correct TAZ demarcation on ground. The transportation and landuse modelling and planning professionals tend to consider the administrative boundaries as TAZ due to the readily available demographic data. Further, the accessibility and the road network are not considered in TAZ demarcation and geographical centroids have been considered as the trip origin or destination. Therefore, it is a current necessity to identify a methodology to demarcate a TAZ system, considering accessibility to the road network and the factors affecting trip generation and trip distribution. The objective of this research is to develop a method to demarcate Modified Traffic Analysis Zones (MTAZ) considering accessibility to adjacent road network, the homogeneity of landuses and socio-economic parameters.