Spatial organisation of goods traffic

Stefanos Kotzagiorgis
Functional spatial structure of goods traffic

Abstract

The integration of goods traffic into the Guidelines for Integrated Network Design is failing so far because a generally acknowledged functional structure of goods traffic locations, similar to the central-place system in personal traffic, is lacking. Also in order to create a basis for the integration of goods traffic into the spatial impact analysis within federal transportation route planning, the Advisory Group on Transport and the Environment developed a first suggestion in the framework of a research project commissioned by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) how a functional structure of goods traffic locations can be derived systematically.

This suggestion is oriented towards the significance of transport locations in goods traffic, which, in turn, is closely related to the traffic performance and the logistical functions that are fulfilled at the individual locations. For this purpose eight criteria are defined which make quantitative estimates about the transport and functional importance of the individual locations possible. The evidence from all eight criteria is summarised in a uniform comprehensive index, which is the basis for the functional structure of goods traffic locations.