Exploring the relationship between multilevel highway networks and local development patterns-a case study of Taiwan

The relationship between local development patterns and highway networks is complicated, as suggested by studies using various analytical methods. The spatial effects of each hierarchical highway network on local development patterns remains unclear. This study combines space syntax and the hierarchical linear model (HLM) within the research framework in a case study of Taiwan. The former is employed to model the topological accessibility of multilevel highway networks, and the latter is applied to handle the hierarchical relationship between multilevel highway networks and local development patterns. Results indicate a high R-squared (R²=0.803) value, and statistically significant cross-level interactions are observed. The results show the different spatial effects of various highway networks on the scale of local development patterns, and confirm consideration of highway networks with classification in the research design. The implications of the findings may be appropriate for substantive planning and future research approaches.