Using Network Segments in the Visualization of Urban Isochrones

Abstract

Since the early twentieth century, thematic mapping techniques such as isochrones have been used for visualizing the accessibility and mobility provided by urban transportation networks. These maps typically depict the area accessible from a point within a certain time or distance threshold. This article details a design alternative to conventional isochrones, which links travel times to network edges. Benefits of this technique include highlighting the network structure of transport networks and comparing travel times for different travel scenarios. This article details methods for producing these maps using free and open-source data and software and provides examples of visualizing different accessibility scenarios in Toronto, Canada.