University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Analyzing Crime on Street Networks: A Comparison of Network and Euclidean Voronoi Methods

Meyer, William D.

Content Files
Meyer_William.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/17376

Description

Title
Analyzing Crime on Street Networks: A Comparison of Network and Euclidean Voronoi Methods
Author(s)
Meyer, William D.
Issue Date
2010-10-28T20:43:09Z
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
McLafferty, Sara L.
Department of Study
Geography
Discipline
Geography
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Date of Ingest
2010-10-28T20:43:09Z
Keyword(s)
  • network voronoi
  • euclidean voronoi
  • spatial analysis
  • crime analysis
  • homicide analysis
  • crime distance analysis
Abstract
The analysis of the uneven spatial distribution of crime has been an important area of research investigation and policy analysis for the past several decades. These analyses typically use spatial analytical methods that are based on the assumption of Euclidean (straight-line) distance. However, crime like most social activity is often mediated by the built environment, such as along a street or within a multi-story building. Thus, analyzing spatial patterns of crime with only straight-line Euclidean distance measurement ignores this intervening built landscape and may very possibly introduce error into the ensuing result. The purpose of this research is to compare and contrast the differences in analytical results for spatial analysis techniques that have the capability to use either Euclidean or network distance. Voronoi diagrams which can be implemented utilizing either Euclidean distance or network distance (distance measured along a street) offer a means for performing this comparison. Utilizing Voronoi diagram implementations with Euclidean distance and network distance this thesis will examine the spatial distribution of gun-inflicted homicide locations and the similarity/differences between the results of their application with the aim of informing the spatial analysis of street located homicide.
Graduation Semester
2010-08
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/17376
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2010 William D. Meyer

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