Hierarchical location models with probabilistic allocation

O'Kelly M. E. and Storbeck J. E. (1984) Hierarchical location models with probabilistic allocation, Reg. Studies 18, 121–129. This paper suggests a new class of data which might be passed between levels of a hierarchy. A probabilistic location-allocation model is proposed which allows for different distance impedance terms across hierarchical levels of service. In this model, large (small) distance impedance terms imply decentralized (clustered) locational configurations. Appropriate choices of distance impedance terms for two service levels can produce nested location patterns without imposing additional siting constraints. We construct a numerical example to illustrate a variety of different behaviourly-linked location hierarchies derived from probabilistic allocation mechanisms.