TY - JOUR
T1 - Contextualizing urban road network hierarchy and its role for sustainable transport futures
T2 - A Systematic Literature Review Using Bibliometric Analysis and Content Analysis Tools
AU - Tsigdinos, Stefanos
AU - Nikitas, Alexandros
AU - Bakogiannis, Efthimios
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.
PY - 2024/6/18
Y1 - 2024/6/18
N2 - Urban road networks play a crucial role in transport and urban planning and have the potential to contribute to more sustainable futures if their hierarchy is properly understood. However, the concept of the urban road network hierarchy, which refers to street classification and prioritization, is not well defined within the domain of transport engineering management, leaving many questions unanswered. Is it simply a planning tool, or does it extend to defining the essence of cities? Is it a qualitative or quantitative concept? Does it emerge organically or require proactive planning? Given the lack of comprehensive answers to these questions, this research aims to provide a contextual understanding of the urban road network hierarchy through the lens of sustainable transport futures. To this purpose, we conducted a systematic literature review, which is an effective method for consolidating knowledge on a specific topic. A total of 42 articles were analyzed using both quantitative bibliometric analysis and qualitative content analysis. Our work demonstrates that the road network hierarchy consists of 16 sub-concepts. Four main research trends were identified and discussed: a) road morphology and structure, b) advanced algorithms for street classification, c) integrated street classification planning, and d) the social dimension of street classification. Recent literature indicates a shift toward alternative road network hierarchy approaches that prioritize sustainable mobility over car-centric models. In conclusion, our analysis reveals that the urban road network hierarchy is a multifaceted yet under researched “vehicle for change,” which, if utilized effectively, offers opportunities to reimagine urban road environments.
AB - Urban road networks play a crucial role in transport and urban planning and have the potential to contribute to more sustainable futures if their hierarchy is properly understood. However, the concept of the urban road network hierarchy, which refers to street classification and prioritization, is not well defined within the domain of transport engineering management, leaving many questions unanswered. Is it simply a planning tool, or does it extend to defining the essence of cities? Is it a qualitative or quantitative concept? Does it emerge organically or require proactive planning? Given the lack of comprehensive answers to these questions, this research aims to provide a contextual understanding of the urban road network hierarchy through the lens of sustainable transport futures. To this purpose, we conducted a systematic literature review, which is an effective method for consolidating knowledge on a specific topic. A total of 42 articles were analyzed using both quantitative bibliometric analysis and qualitative content analysis. Our work demonstrates that the road network hierarchy consists of 16 sub-concepts. Four main research trends were identified and discussed: a) road morphology and structure, b) advanced algorithms for street classification, c) integrated street classification planning, and d) the social dimension of street classification. Recent literature indicates a shift toward alternative road network hierarchy approaches that prioritize sustainable mobility over car-centric models. In conclusion, our analysis reveals that the urban road network hierarchy is a multifaceted yet under researched “vehicle for change,” which, if utilized effectively, offers opportunities to reimagine urban road environments.
KW - Road network hierarchy
KW - Street classification
KW - Sustainable mobility
KW - Systematic Literature Review;
KW - Integrated planning
KW - integrated planning
KW - sustainable mobility
KW - road network hierarchy
KW - street classification
KW - systematic literature review
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85196302594&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s42524-024-0300-x
DO - 10.1007/s42524-024-0300-x
M3 - Review article
JO - Frontiers of Engineering Management
JF - Frontiers of Engineering Management
SN - 2095-7513
ER -