Does the transportation system significantly affect growth and shape of the land-use patterns, or do land-use patterns influence the form and extent of the transportation system? In either case, the answer is affirmative. As shown schematically in Figure 16.1, the provision of transportation infrastructure affects the intensity and distribution of land-use patterns in an area by altering its level of accessibility, which is reflected in both the price and intensity of the developments in the area. The mechanism of transportation impacts on land use may be direct and/or indirect. For example, a highway project in an area may involve direct appropriation of land and consequently may alter accessibility to that land.