Micro-simulation Model to Estimate Accessibility to Urban Services: A GIS-based and Land Use and Transportation Integrated Approach

Spatial dimension of the most urban planning models are based on the zonal systems. This kind of models assumes that all attributes are uniformly distributed all over a zone and spatial interaction between zones is established via linked only to the centroids of the zones. Zone-based spatial models pay no attention to special characteristic and distribution of different land uses and transportation facilities inside each zone. Therefore, this kind of models can not satisfy current planning issues and are too disaggregate to counter new challenges in urban planning activities. In this research, a micro-simulation model is proposed for accessibility evaluation with focusing on integration of two major urban planning sub-systems: land use and transportation. The characteristics of various land uses and transportation policies are studied to be included in the accessibility evaluation model. Specific characteristics of various land uses are considered during the development of the model. In this research, various land uses are categorized in two classes: multi-facility and single-facility and different accessibility evaluation models are developed for each land use class. Parcel is considered as the smallest planning unit in the model and geographical information system and its analysis tools are used to test the result of the model in a case study area in Shiraz city. The results show that the model is robust to clarify different aspects of accessibility. The results present useful information to urban planners and show them various shortcomings regarding both land use and transportation systems in the case study. Micro evaluation of accessibility, as one of the most important parameter in a land use-transportation integrated model, supports urban planners to get proper decision to tackle with the problems related to both urban land use and transportation systems.