SPATIAL ANALYSIS 

A large part of the Spatial Analysis was to create cost distance surfaces away from each of the schools. The first integral part of this analysis was to classify the roads into major, secondarily major and minor roads.

After each of the roads had been classed, friction values could then be assigned based on their class. Four zones, according to time of day, were created:

Zone 0 represents the catchment areas for response times based on a frictionless surface. An optimal speed of 80km/hr was assigned to all road classes to serve as a reference layer.

Zone 1 represents minimal traffic, from 9pm to 6am.

Zone 2 represents medium flow traffic from 9am to 3pm and 6pm to 9am.

Zone 3 represents maximum "rush hour" traffic from 6am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm.

NOTE: Click here to see friction values based on zones.

It is clearly visible that, depending on the amount of traffic volume, response times are affected. The response time catchment areas decrease (i.e. response times increase) as you move towards "rush hour". Emergency response vehicles are unable to move as fast through heavy traffic as they are through light traffic.

Another important factor that speeds response times is the route traveled by emergency vehicles. Wide open roads provide easier movement than narrow residential streets. Using the friction's for minimal traffic (Zone 1) least cost pathways were determined from the three closest hospitals and firehalls to the schools. In the event of a major emergency it is likely that all of these response teams would be dispatched.