TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION PATTERNS IN AUSTRIA - A COMPARISON OF THE IPFP-BASED GRAPH-THEORETIC AND THE INTRAMAX APPROACHES

Two alternative methodological approaches (the IPFP-based and the intr amax procedures) to the problem of pattern identification in spatial i nteraction data are compared and evaluated in this paper. After a gene ral discussion of the major characteristics and shortcomings of these methodologies, the paper presents the findings of a case study relying on telecommunication data measured by the Austrian PTT in 1991, in te rms of erlangs. The results clearly illustrate the superiority of the intramax approach in the context of medium-sized and relatively centra lized flow systems.