An Interaction Model

Puu, T. (1982). An Interaction Model. IIASA Collaborative Paper. IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria: CP-82-050

Preview

Text CP-82-050.pdf Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

Methodologically, the IIASA research program on Regional Development reflects the general attitude of the majority of regional scientists. Among other things, this means that the models developed deal with discrete sets of regions or locations. For planning purposes, this approach is extremely efficient, due to computational advantages. On the other hand, systematic information about regional structures, of the geometric flavor associated with classical location theory, is hard to obtain if one discretizes space from the outset.

To complement this main stream of regional analysis, two scientists currently trying to revive continuous modeling of the space economy, Martin J. Beckmann and Tonu Puu, were invited to IIASA in September 1979. They started writing a comprehensive monograph intended to present the state-of-the-art in the field of continuous regional modeling. The completion of such an extensive work was not possible in the brief period of three weeks.

The authors are currently continuing work on the project. This paper by Tonu Puu constitutes one chapter of the forth-coming monograph. It was completed during his visit to IIASA in August 1982 and follows the chapter circulated as CP-82-11.

Whereas the preceding chapters dealt with commodity trade models with unique patterns of flow, the present one describes a simple interaction model cast in a continuous format. Given a specified need for communication and accommodation, optimal land use (balancing traffic congestion and population crowding) is discussed. In addition to the problems of optimal communication routes, the paper focuses on equilibrium population distributions such that communication and housing costs are in balance.

Actions (login required)

View Item