A MODELING FRAMEWORK ON DISTANCE PREDICTING FUNCTIONS FOR LOCATION MODELS IN CONTINUOUS SPACE

Abstract

Continuous location models are the oldest models in locations analysis dealing with the geometrical representations of reality, and they are based on the continuity of location area. The classical model in this area is the Weber problem. Distances in the Weber problem are often taken to be Euclidean distances, but almost all kinds of the distance functions can be employed. In this survey, we examine an important class of distance predicting functions (DPFs) in location problems all of practical relevance. This paper provides a review on recent efforts and development in modeling travel distances based on the coordinates they use and their applicability in certain practical settings. Very little has been done to include special cases of the class of metrics and its classification in location models and such merit further attention. The new metrics are discussed in the well-known Weber problem, its multi-facility case and distance approximation problems. We also analyze a variety of papers related to the literature in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the taxonomy and to get insights for possible research directions. Research issues which we believe to be worthwhile exploring in the future are also highlighted.