Cities as organisms: Allometric scaling of urban road networks

Building on a comparison of the urban road network with the cardiovascular system, this study describes a statistical approach to analysing urban road networks and traffic patterns and applies it to US cities. It offers a new perspective on transport differences between large and small cities, as well as changes in transport infrastructure as cities grow.

A special feature of this study is the application of allometric scaling, a method used in biology to investigate relationships between the size of organisms and various biological processes. This method is used to identify and analyse patterns in urban road networks. The results show that it is possible to design urban road networks in such a way that they are more efficient and conserve resources.

By integrating circular economy principles into urban logistics and infrastructure systems, significant benefits can be achieved - optimising transport routes, reducing waste and emissions and promoting the recycling and reuse of materials.

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