Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the distance parameter of spatial interaction model in the case of the greater Tokyo metropolitan area. The friction of distance is measured by the effect of the behavioral component in the distance parameter of the spatial interaction model. For attaining this purpose, the production-constrained entropy-maximizing model is applied to the automobile traffic flows in the study area. Obtained results are summarized as follows. Firstly, the distance parameter becomes lower in both the central and marginal parts and higher in these intermediate part in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area. Secondly, the configurational component which is empirically separated from the behavioral one in the distance parameter increases gradually and monotonously from the central part toward the periphery. Thirdly, the regional pattern of the remaining behavioral component shows something like the doughnut structure although this structure is less evident than that of the distance parameter. Fourthly, the structure of the greater Tokyo metropolitan area shows the concentric pattern in terms of both the behavioral component, i.e. the friction of distance, and its dominating factors including the activities of wholesale and retail sales, real estate, and agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
