Space – Time Convergence | The Geography Of Transport Systems

Home » What Is Time Space Compression » Space – Time Convergence | The Geography Of Transport Systems

Maybe your like

Skip to content
Space Time Convergence

Space-time convergence (also labeled as space/time compression) refers to the decline in travel time between similar locations. This implies that two locations can be reached in a lesser amount of time, which is usually the outcome of innovations in transport and telecommunications. Space-time convergence investigates the changing relationship between space and time, including the impacts of transportation improvements on such a relationship. It is closely related to the concept of speed, which indicates how much space can be traded for a specific amount of time.

To measure space-time convergence (STC), travel time information is required for at least two locations and two time periods. Variation in travel time (ΔTT) is divided by the time period (ΔT) over which the process took place; the slope of the curve.

The above figure provides an example of space-time convergence between two locations, A and B. In 1950, it took 6.2 hours to travel between A and B. By 2000, this travel time was reduced to 2.6 hours. Consequently, STC was for that period of -0.072 hours per year or -4.32 minutes per year. The value is negative because the time value is reduced (fewer hours traveled). If the value was positive, a space-time divergence would be observed.

Share this:

  • LinkedIn
  • X
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
Contents › Chapter 1 – Transportation and Geography › 1.1 – What is Transport Geography? › Space – Time Convergence

The Geography of Transport Systems, 6th Edition The Geography of Transport SystemsSIXTH EDITION Jean-Paul Rodrigue (2024), New York: Routledge, 402 pages. ISBN 9781032380407

DOI: 10.4324/9781003343196

Follow @ecojpr

Table of Contents

Conditions

This material (including graphics) can freely be used for educational purposes, such as classroom presentations in universities and colleges. Any other uses, such as conference presentations, commercial training programs, news web sites or consulting reports, are FORBIDDEN. The material cannot be copied or redistributed in ANY FORM and on ANY MEDIA. For specific uses permission MUST be requested.

Editor

Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Professor of Maritime Business Administration at Texas A&M University - Galveston. His research interests cover transportation and economics as they relate to logistics and global freight distribution. Specific topics include maritime transport systems, global supply chains, gateways and transport corridors.

Recent Posts

  • The Laredo Commercial Vehicle Border Crossing (new page)
  • E-Commerce Retail Sales as a Percent of Total Sales, United States
  • Landlocked countries (update)
  • Transportation and its bottlenecks (new section)
  • New section covering City Logistics

Companion Web Site

Port Economics, Management and Policy Loading Comments... Write a Comment... Email (Required) Name (Required) Website

Tag » What Is Time Space Compression