GIS-Based Spatial Distribution and Road Proximity Analysis of fuel Stations in Gharyan Municipality, Libya

Abstract

Fuel stations are the lifeline of fuel transport, trade, and urban expansion, and as such the development of communities and the integration of infrastructure services are closely and directly linked to fuel stations.  There has been a growing need for this essential service, on which various aspects of daily life depend The study investigated measures of centrality, in particular, the spatial distribution pattern of fuel stations and their closeness to roads in the municipality of Gharyan. A database of 23 petrol stations was analyzed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The average nearest neighbor analysis (ANN) produced a nearest neighbor ratio of (1.16), a Z-score of (1.51), and a P-value of (0.130).                                                                                                       The ratio shows a tendency toward a dispersed pattern, but this result is not statistically   significant. The standard distance was (13.49) km; the directional distribution (elliptical standard deviation) was (10.4) km; the Kernel Density Estimate (KDE), and Z-score criterion, which ranges from (–1.65 to 1.65), showed that the spatial distribution of petrol stations is random.                                                                                                           
 Distance to the nearest road was also examined in the study. These analyzes were  selected   to provide additional information on the general spatial pattern, geographical dispersion, prevailing orientation, local concentration, and the relationship between petrol stations and the road network. The analysis of proximity to the roads showed a minimum distance of 5.06 m, a maximum distance of 64.6 m, a mean of 31.85 m, and a standard deviation of 16.26 m. These results indicate that petrol stations are generally located at a relatively short distance from the road network shown on the map, although the degree of proximity varies between sites.                                                                                                      
The study creates a spatial and descriptive database of the current fuel station network and forms the basis for future analyses of accessibility and the usage of land and municipal planning