Road Infrastructure Development Index for Urban Residential Layouts Using Satellite Images and the Analytical Hierarchy Process

Abstract

Road infrastructure, an essential support system providing mobility and accessibility within residential layouts, has become a serious concern in several countries. In some places, residential layouts (subdivisions) have been developed through private ownership. If the norms laid down by central development authorities are not followed by local developers, land use, including road infrastructure, is affected. This study presents a quantitative assessment of the impact of improper development of urban residential layouts on road infrastructure. The study developed an index for assessing the road infrastructure within residential layouts based on identifying the deficiencies which affect mobility and accessibility. A road infrastructure development index (RIDI) was conceptualized using an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and parameters that affect accessibility and commuter comfort in residential layouts derived from high-resolution satellite data. The parameters used to generate this RIDI were the number of approach roads, spatial road serviceability, road density, bottlenecks, population density, dead ends or cul-de-sacs, and road width. Sample layouts were selected from varying built-up land-use classes to extract the index parameters to develop the RIDI. The RIDI values estimated for sample layouts indicate the level of development of road infrastructure in the residential layouts. A case study of the Nagpur urban area in central India, showing estimated RIDI values, is discussed. The RIDI concept can be used for proper planning, monitoring, approvals, and improvement of road infrastructure in residential layouts in urban areas, especially in the developing countries, after its calibration for varying urban scenarios.