Comparing network construction techniques in the context of local transport networks in the Dutch part of the Roman limes

Sensitivity analysis and validation of resulting networks is an important issue, but best practices for assessing realism of (re)constructed networks are still largely lacking.

“Sensitivity analysis and validation of the resulting networks would therefore seem an important issue, but best practices for assessing the realism of (re)constructed networks are still largely lacking (Knappett 2013b;Groenhuijzen and Verhagen 2017).”

Least-cost path networks might offer suitable methodology for such a combined model.

“In light of this conclusion, it seems that a model combining topographic and anthropic variables would be better suited to explain the layout of Roman roads, and for this least-cost path networks might offer suitable methodology (Carroll & Carroll, 2023;Groenhuijzen & Verhagen, 2017;Herzog, 2023;Prignano et al., 2019).”

A model combining topographic and anthropic variables would be better suited to explain the layout of Roman roads.

“In light of this conclusion, it seems that a model combining topographic and anthropic variables would be better suited to explain the layout of Roman roads, and for this least-cost path networks might offer suitable methodology (Carroll & Carroll, 2023;Groenhuijzen & Verhagen, 2017;Herzog, 2023;Prignano et al., 2019).”

Techniques such as triangulation or proximal point analysis produce results which seem heuristically to be a compromise between the extremes of least cost to the user and least cost to the builder, but fail to balance building and using costs formally.

“Techniques such as triangulation or proximal point analysis produce results which seem heuristically to be a compromise between the extremes of least cost to the user and least cost to the builder (Herzog 2014b;Groenhuijzen & Verhagen 2017), but fail to balance building and using costs formally.”

Provided small numbers are chosen for n, a nearest-neighbour network will be sparse and appear more realistic than a fully connected or triangulated network.

“Provided that small numbers are chosen for n, the network will be sparse and appear more realistic than a fully connected or triangulated network”

Groenhuijzen and Verhagen (2017) provide a version of the Gabriel Graph with adjusted trigonometric calculus that solves for triangles whose edge lengths represent travel times rather than Euclidean distances.

“Groenhuijzen and Verhagen (2017) do provide a version of the Gabriel Graph with an adjusted trigonometric calculus that solves for triangles whose edge lengths represent travel times rather than Euclidean distances.”

Physical network reconstructions benefit greatly, both in realism and analytical potential, if the cost of establishing connections is considered.

“As has been demonstrated before (e.g.Bevan and Wilson, 2013;Groenhuijzen and Verhagen, 2017), physical network reconstructions benefit greatly, both in realism and analytical potential, if the cost of establishing connections is considered.”

Delaunay triangulation produces a sparse initial model by reducing links to only those corresponding geometrically with the edges of a minimal triangulation.

“Delaunay triangulation produces a sparse initial model (Fig. 5) by reducing the links to only those that correspond geometrically with the edges of a minimal triangulation”