GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE ROAD LINKING THE CITIES OF KIRKUK AND SULAYMANIYAH

Abstract

The research deals with studying and analyzing the efficiency of the road linking the cities of Kirkuk and Sulaymaniyah from a geographical perspective. Therefore, the spatial analysis reached by the study had quantitative indicators represented by the road density in relation to the area (2.17 km2), And the individual's share of the road(5.28km), and the network connectivity indicators: the beta index (0.8), the gamma index (0.3), the alpha index (0.05), the negative turning index (124%), and the positive turning index (134). The highest degrees of accessibility were represented in the centers of Kirkuk and Sulaymaniyah districts. The results showed that this negatively affects and creates a disparity in the road's efficiency for users' transportation operations. The research emphasizes the importance of this road in enhancing the economic and social connection between the two cities and supports regional economic development in Iraq.