Estimating road distances by mathematical functions (Q1057774)

In recent publications various distance functions have been proposed for estimating road distances, and the parameters of these functions have been determined for the U.S.A. as a whole as well as for several subregions. In consideration of the degree of accuracy attainable for the regions surveyed and the amount of work entailed by parameter determination, it has been suggested that a two-parameter function should be used in the first instance whenever distance estimating functions are required for other geographical regions. This method was applied to a European region - the Federal Republic of Germany. In contrast to the results obtained for the U.S.A., there were only slight increases in the degree of accuracy of the estimates when single-parameter distance functions were replaced by multiparametric ones. Since, moreover, the determination of a second or even a third parameter entails a great deal of work, it is doubtful whether the use of a two-parameter function can continue to be regarded as an economically justifiable method in Europe.