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

Meyer, William D.

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

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

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

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2010 William D. Meyer

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