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Transport Framework of Urban Agglomeration: Structure and Features
of Development
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International Science and Technology Conference (FarEastСon 2020)
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1079 (2021) 022084
IOP Publishing
doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1079/2/022084
1
Transport Framework of Urban Agglomeration: Structure
and Features of Development
S A Sukhinin1
1Faculty of Economics and Finance, Rostov State University of Economics, Bolshaya
Sadovaya street, 69, Rostov-on-Don, 344002, Russia
E-mail: suhmax@mail.ru
Abstract. Transport is an important element in formation and development of urban
agglomerations. The predominance of road transport in transportation within agglomeration
gives reason to argue that the basis of agglomeration transport framework is precisely roads.
Roads and highways penetrate the agglomeration space, acting as communication lines, creating
its road frame by which we understand the totality of road network and transport service
facilities. As a special spatial formation the transport framework of agglomeration has its own
structure, features and properties due to a variety of natural-geographical, historical,
demographic, settlement, socio-economic factors. The structure, configuration and features of
transport framework determine the efficiency of entire agglomeration, level and quality of life
of its residents, and the attractiveness of agglomeration for placing business objects. The need to
study the transport framework of agglomeration is due to the important function of integrator,
which it performs in territorial organization of agglomeration, connecting all other elements with
traffic flows. At the same time, the transport framework is experiencing certain problems, which
is reflected in the development of the entire agglomeration. Their solution is possible in our
opinion by improving the transport framework of agglomeration
1. Introduction
The socio-economic development of urban agglomerations is directly related to the dependence of urban
economy and population on transport. Transport in an urban agglomeration is the main means of
communication and combines elements of urban space – enterprises, social facilities, housing estates
and housing estates. Being a city servicing industry, transport in the city agglomeration not only ensures
movement of goods and passengers, but also acts as an important factor in the location and development
of production and influences the choice of residence and employment of the population [1]. The degree
of development of transport and quality of services it provides determines the comfort of living in
territory of the city agglomeration.
The increase in the number of motor vehicles in urban agglomerations complicates the problem of
expanding the road network, which is aggravated from year to year. The solution to this problem is
difficult due to the limited urban area and the lack of conditions for laying new roads in the
agglomeration. Inconsistency of the increased automobile traffic with the road capabilities of the
agglomeration leads to the formation of numerous traffic jams. This reduces the traffic safety on the
roads of the agglomeration, worsens the quality of life of the population. These problems are especially
acute in large agglomerations of Russia which have a long-established frame of roads and streets. One
International Science and Technology Conference (FarEastСon 2020)
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1079 (2021) 022084
IOP Publishing
doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1079/2/022084
2
of these agglomerations is Rostov agglomeration (Bolshoi Rostov) – the largest agglomeration in South
of Russia by population.
2. Relevance and scientific importance of a question
Transport is an integral element of urban agglomerations, and the network of roads and highways that
has developed in cities is the basis for urban interaction. The transport infrastructure of metropolitan
area form the transport framework of agglomeration. It is represented by a road network and transport
service facilities. The structure, configuration and features of the transport framework determine the
efficiency of entire agglomeration, the level and quality of life of citizens, and the attractiveness of the
agglomeration for placing business objects.
The study of transport framework of agglomeration related to the definition of its structural elements,
identification of their specificity and impact on the development of municipalities. Studies of this kind
are multidisciplinary since they affect aspects of both urban studies, the city’s economy, architecture,
spatial planning, and transport, logistics and the road sector. In foreign science, a significant contribution
to the consideration of issues of transport development of agglomerations has been made P. Krugman
[2], E. L. Glaeser and G. D. Joshua [3], A. O’Sullivan [4], D. J. Graham and and S. Gibbons [5]. Among
Russian scientists in the study of transport development of agglomerations are P.M. Krylov [6], V.A.
Popov [7], I.N. Makarov [8], G. Tokunova [9]. We particularly note the works of scientists considering
of Rostov agglomeration and the development of its transport system – O.Yu. Patrakeeva [10], V.V.
Zyryanov [11, 12, 13], S.G. Sheina [14], E.O. Mirgorodskaya [15], A.M. Boyarinov [16]. All these
works became the scientific basis of this study.
3. Problem definition
The purpose of this article is to characterize the road infrastructure of an urban agglomeration as the
basis for forming its transport framework. The scientific objectives of this study are as follows:
Definition of the essence of the concept "transport framework of urban agglomeration".
Characteristics of the structure of the transport framework of an urban agglomeration based on
the analysis of qualitative and quantitative parameters of its road network.
Identification and description of features of transport framework of Rostov agglomeration as
the largest and most developed in South of Russia.
4. Theoretical part
The transport infrastructure of urban agglomerations is represented primarily by the road network. It
includes a set of streets and transport lanes of municipalities that are part of the agglomeration [17]. The
road network forms a system of transport links represented by urban and suburban passenger and freight
traffic. These links are the basis for the concentration and specialization of production, to meet the
population's of agglomeration their needs for spatial movement. As a result, the transport framework of
an agglomeration can be defined as an interconnected set of highways between municipalities and the
road network within them [18].
The basis of the transport framework of urban agglomerations in Russia are motorways [19]. This is
due to the fact that it is road transport that dominates in transportation of goods and passengers within
the agglomeration. In addition, road transport is provided external links with other cities and regions of
the country. The roads of agglomeration are used not only for organization of bus transportation as the
main ones in passenger traffic, but also serve for operation of trolleybuses and trams as types of urban
transport [20].
The development of road networks contributes to the generation of positive side effects in the
development of urban agglomerations [21]. The structure and configuration of the agglomeration
road carcass are inextricably linked with the resettlement of the population, the features of the
development of municipalities, the terrain, climatic conditions. Thus, in general terms, the
automobile transport system of the agglomeration is a peculiar function of the planning, socio-economic,
demographic, climatic and other characteristics of an urbanized space [22]. It is developed and formed
International Science and Technology Conference (FarEastСon 2020)
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1079 (2021) 022084
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doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1079/2/022084
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for the effective implementation of cargo and passenger transportation within the agglomeration and
servicing its external relations.
5. Practical importance, offers and results of introductions
One of the largest urban agglomerations in Russia by population is Rostov-on-Don, or as it is also called
Bolshoi Rostov. Currently, 2.2 million people live in Rostov agglomeration – which makes up more
than half of population in Rostov region, and its area is 14.2 thousand km2 – 14% of the territory of
Rostov region [23].
Within the Rostov agglomeration there are 10.5 thousand kilometers of roads, which is 28.7% of the
total length of roads in Rostov region. Rostov agglomeration has a polycentric configuration and due to
the peculiarities of its geographical location, takes over most of the traffic in Rostov Region. From the
city of Rostov-on-Don, as the center of agglomeration, transport highways diverge in radial directions
to neighboring towns and municipal districts [24]. These roads and highways are used for inter-
settlement communication between the agglomeration center and other municipalities
The transport framework of the Rostov agglomeration defines its spatial structure, which includes
the core (center), semi-periphery and periphery of agglomeration. The core of Rostov agglomeration is
formed by city of Rostov-on-Don and its neighboring towns – Aksay and Bataysk. The processes of
suburbanization and rurbanization led to the merging of these cities into one common urbanized space.
We also included rural areas (Azov, Myasnikovsky and Aksaysky) adjacent to Rostov-on-Don in the
core of agglomeration. These areas are located in the immediate vicinity of Rostov-on-Don and are
connected to it by heavy passenger and cargo traffic (figure 1).
Figure 1. Configuration of road frame of Rostov agglomeration.
For example, as of the beginning of 2020, 60 pairs of direct bus flights were formed and sent daily
from Rostov-on-don in the direction of Taganrog, operating in the mode of a minibus, and 40 pairs of
direct flights were sent in the direction of Novocherkassk
The cities of Azov, Novocherkassk and Taganrog with neighboring rural settlements were included
in the semi-peripheral zone of the Rostov agglomeration (figure 1). They are located at a distance of 30-
International Science and Technology Conference (FarEastСon 2020)
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1079 (2021) 022084
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doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1079/2/022084
4
50 km from the center of agglomeration, but the developed network of highways makes them accessible
for labor migration of residents, recreational trips and social and labor relations. For example, as of the
beginning of 2020, 60 pairs of direct bus flights operating in the route taxi mode were formed and sent
daily from Rostov-on-Don to Taganrog, and 40 pairs of direct flights were sent in the direction of
Novocherkassk. Thus, the transport connection between the center and the cities of semi-periphery of
Rostov agglomeration is estimated by us as very intensive.
The peripheral zone of Rostov agglomeration is located at a distance of 180-200 km from Rostov-
on-Don and includes areas of South-West planning zone of Rostov region (figure 1). The municipal
districts of peripheral zone are located on the border of areals of influence of the Rostov urbanization
and Shakhty conurbation, along the highways in direction of Krasnodar, Voronezh and Volgograd
regions (figure 1).
The zones of Rostov agglomeration that we have identified allow us to trace the length and density
of highways within their boundaries. The length of highways is distributed approximately equally across
the territory of center, periphery, and semi-periphery of agglomeration. The three districts closest to the
core of agglomeration have the greatest length of roads from individual municipal districts: 13.7%
(1443.9 km) of agglomeration roads are concentrated in the territory of Azov district; in Aksay district
are 8% (845.5 km) of agglomeration roads; 12.7% (1339.1 km) of roads pass-through on territory of
Neklinovsky district of agglomeration [23]. We also note that Rostov-on-Don does not have a bypass
road and all transit traffic is routed through the city. Это объясняет значительную протяженностью
дорог и улиц в городе – их общая длина составляет 1,5 тыс. км, т.е. 13,9% общей длины автодорог
агломерации. This explains the significant length of roads and streets in the city – their total length is
1.5 thousand km, i.e. 13.9% of the total length of agglomeration roads.
The average density of roads in Rostov agglomeration is 742 km per 1000 km2 of territory. This is
twice higher than the average density of roads in Rostov region (364 km per 1000 km2 of territory). The
highest density of roads is in the cities of agglomeration –more than 8 thousand km per 1000 km2 in
territory of Novocherkassk and Taganrog; 2.6 thousand km per 1000 km2 of territory in Azov city.
Among the municipal agglomeration regions, Myasnikovsky district (790 km per 1000 km2 of territory),
Aksaysky district (728 km per 1000 km2 of territory) and Neklinovsky district (624 km per 1000 km2 of
territory) are distinguished by the highest density of roads [23].
The network and structure of highways on the territory of Rostov agglomeration has not changed
much in recent years. This gives reason to consider its transport frame formed. At the same time the
transport framework of Rostov agglomeration is characterized by spatial heterogeneity. Radial highways
in Rostov agglomeration leave Rostov-on-Don in the direction of Taganrog, Azov, Novoshakhtinsk,
Novocherkassk (with access to the federal highway M4 "Don" by Moscow – Voronezh – Rostov-on-
Don – Krasnodar – Novorossiysk). Radial directions of highways are supplemented by semicircular
chords, and in the central part of cities - a clear rectangular grid of streets and roads [25].
A special place in transport framework of Rostov agglomeration is occupied by the street and road
network of its core –Rostov-on-Don city. The basis of the street and road network of Rostov-on-don is
formed by highways of latitudinal and meridional length. Latitudinal highways are located parallel to
river Don and submeridional roads leave the historical center of Rostov-on-Don in the direction of other
cities of Rostov agglomeration [22].
The total length of the Rostov-on-don road network is 1466.4 km, including with improved pavement
– 1003.7 km, i.e. 68.5%. The density of roads in the built-up areas of city is low – 1.5 km/km2 of territory,
in the Central part of Rostov-on-Don – 2.8 km/km2 of territory [23]. Low density indicators are
explained by the planning features of the city's territory. For example, there are large areas of
horticultural associations with an undeveloped street network within the city limits. In addition, there is
a lag in the development of roads in areas of new housing construction.
6. Conclusions
Analysis of transport framework of urban agglomeration shows that it is formed under the influence of
a combination of natural-geographical, historical, socio-economic factors. They determine the
International Science and Technology Conference (FarEastСon 2020)
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1079 (2021) 022084
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doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1079/2/022084
5
configuration, structure and features of agglomeration transport framework. Under the domination of
road transport as the main one in the transportation of cargo and passengers, the transport frame of
agglomeration is formed by a network of roads.
Inter-settlement connections of cities and agglomeration districts are carried out by means of
highways. At same time, there is a clear spatial differentiation in terms of the length and density of
highways within three agglomeration zones – in center, semi-periphery and periphery. The highest
concentration of roads is observed within the center of agglomeration. As you move away from the
center to the periphery the length and density of highways is decreased.
These features of transport framework of the urban agglomeration are fully manifested by example
of Rostov agglomeration. The existing road system of Rostov agglomeration has several disadvantages.
Intersections of major highways between each other in most cases are organized with traffic interchanges
on the same level. This leads to a decrease in speed and increase accident rate on agglomeration roads.
There is an insufficient density of road network in the municipalities of agglomeration, especially in
peripheral areas. The lack of full-fledged bypass of external roads around Rostov-on-Don forces transit
transport to use the street-road network of the city itself. These traffic flows carry an additional load on
the already worn out road network, create intense traffic in city, and contribute to the formation of
numerous traffic jams. All these disadvantages reduce the reliability of transport system of Rostov
agglomeration and require further improvement of its road frame.
Further development of transport framework of the urban agglomeration requires an integrated
approach to improving its structure and solving transport problems [27]. At the same time the major
development objectives of transport framework of the urban agglomeration is to ensure sustainable
linkages between cities and regions within the agglomeration and realization of transit potential of
agglomeration in the system of major transport corridors. Achieving these goals should ensure
convenient automobile traffic on agglomeration roads, increase the speed of movement, strengthen inter-
settlement connectivity of agglomeration municipalities, and increase the reliability of transport
services.
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