Road Network Connectivity and Freight Transportation for Supporting the Development of the Northern Zone of Aceh

Abstract

Road network connectivity significantly affects merchandise, transport, and people’s lives. Freight transportation network models are utilized as frameworks of transport policy decisions to estimate the impacts of infrastructure projects on traffic. The goods supply delivery modes in Aceh, Indonesia, are dominated by road-based transportation, where up to 95% of daily needs, such as food, are carried using trucks, buses, and other vehicles. This condition emerged owing to a lack of infrastructure and facilities. Thus, the main purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of road network connectivity on goods delivery in the northern zone of Aceh. This research adopted a quantitative technique (survey questionnaire) and involved as many as 420 respondents. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with Analysis of Moment Structures. The result of the study shows the value of regressions weight is 0.375 or 37.5%. It indicates the road network connectivity variable has a significant relationship with the transport of goods. Furthermore, the road network connectivity of the area has the strongest link or significantly influences the activities of regional development. Therefore, the government in the northern zone of Aceh can formulate road network policies oriented towards the development of the area’s new economy and support the implementation of the Arun Lhokseumawe Special Economic Zone, which is the business area and trade laws are different from the rest of the country.