Analysis of Structural Pattern of Road Access Network in Villages Exporting Agricultural Crops (Case Study: Maragheh City)

Purpose: Networks are studied and analyzed in two structural and functional aspects. Within this framework, the structural characteristics of networks are the result of their physical representation and independence of their use. Hence, the structural analysis of the road network enables us to generate semantic information (concerning village dynamics) and enrich useful spatial data. The topology or geometrical characteristics of the network can be analyzed through some algorithms of graph theory. The present research was conducted to analyze the structural pattern of rural road access network based on apple crop and export relationships in Maragheh. Methods: Research data were collected from 43 sample villages and 12 cold stores of agricultural crops (located in some villages) receiving apple crops from other villages. Data were analyzed using the network analysis method through UCINET.6 software. Results: The results showed that the access network in the study area had a star network pattern and among the studied villages, Gol village had a higher concentration compared to other villages. Conclusion: Concentration of storage equipment and storage of agricultural products such as cold storage in some villages and also the relatively good condition of access roads to these villages has increased the centrality of the above villages and the formation of a star pattern in the access network of the region. This has led to reduced access and isolation of villages far from the center of the network and thus reduced the incentive to produce in these villages. Therefore, considering the effect that the type of road network model has on the ease of access, distance and cost of villagers' access to services, especially services related to the type of rural products such as warehouses and cold storages of agricultural products, Therefore, it is recommended to provide a link among the villages through clustering to facilitate the access of villagers to the cold stores and save their cost, time, and distance.