A complex networks approach for dynamical efficiency in multimodal transportation systems

Abstract

In this work, we propose a new measure for spatial networks and, in particular, for multimodal transportation systems. We give the definition of dynamical efficiency for single layer and for multilayer networks. This measure is based on the concept of ”reachability” of a location in the city according to the road traffic and to the available modal choice. The dynamical efficiency captures the topological changes in a multilayer network due to the congestion like the average loss in travel time from and to each link and the centrality of intermodal stations. There are several advantages in using this measure on a point of view of the complex network theory and on the practical engineering applications and they are briefly illustrated in the conclusion. A detailed application on a real network with real traffic data is also presented as example.