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Errors in measuring distances from populations to service centers

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Abstract

A common practice in spatial analysis is to represent the population of a spatial unit, such as a county or census tract, by a single point, and to use this point when measuring the distance between the population and other places such as service centers. In theoretical spatial systems, distance measurements obtained under this practice may differ from true distances by as much as eight percent, and the difference may be greater for real spatial systems. The presence and magnitude of these measurement errors have important implications for spatial analysis, and particularly for evaluating alternative facility location plans.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Iowa, USA

    Edward L. Hillsman

  2. U. S. Agency for International Development, USA

    Richard Rhoda

Authors
  1. Edward L. Hillsman
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  2. Richard Rhoda
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Hillsman, E.L., Rhoda, R. Errors in measuring distances from populations to service centers. Ann Reg Sci 12, 74–88 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01286124

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01286124

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