Delimitation of functional transport regions: understanding the transport flows patterns at the micro-regional level

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe main purpose of the article is the delimitation of functional regions in the Czech Republic based on the car transport flows. We argue that the traditionally used criteria for delimitation of functional regions (especially based on commuting to work flows) gradually losing their value. Therefore, we delimited functional regions as newly defined transport regions. Spatially expressed transport flows are unique indicators of complex spatial relations. We work with the daily intensities of car transport, which tend to create apparent nodal structures. Nodal structures are evident in particular at the micro-regional level, since transport flows reflect polarization between cities and their hinterlands. We use the concept of local minimum of transport intensities to delimit the boundaries of transport regions. As a result, we defined 235 functional transport regions (FTR) in the Czech Republic, which reflect the core-hinterland polarization. The delimited FTR represent logically arranged functional units, which we have subsequently compared with other types of functional regions. During these comparisons with various types of regions, we concluded that the greatest correlations are achieved with the regions of commuting to services.