The Rationale of a Ring Road

The impact of ring roads on the spatial structure is favoring a radial pattern (doughnut effect) and the development of commercial, residential and industrial activities nearby highway interchanges. The decreasing dynamism of central areas is often linked with the emergence of centers at the periphery. Ring roads also improved accessibility within a metropolitan area, especially at the periphery. As indicated in the above figure, prior to the construction of a ring road, going from point A to point B would take 30 minutes, with delays mainly imposed by having to go through the central area. Once a ring right has been established, travel time between point A and point B is reduced to 20 minutes.