Complementarity of generative models for road networks

Understanding the dynamics of road networks has theoretical implications for urban science and practical applications for sustainable long-term planning. Various generative models to explain road network growth have been introduced in the literature. We propose in this paper a systematic benchmark of such models integrating different paradigms (spatial interactions, cost-benefit compromises, biological network growth), focusing on the feasible space of generated network measures. We find a quantitatively high complementarity between the different models. This confirms the necessity of a plurality of urban models, in line with integrative approaches to urban systems.