Modelling Growth Principles of Metropolitan Public Transport Networks

Abstract

8 The development of metropolitan public transport networks often involve choosing between 9 investing in extending radial lines and constructing ring connections. While the former enlarges 10 network coverage the latter enhances network connectivity and reduces the need to perform detours. 11 Moreover, investments might be better directed at increasing the capacity of already existing 12 infrastructure. In this study we address the following question: how do transport networks in 13 metropolitan areas evolve over time and how can we effectively model this growth as function of 14 demand and cost function? The goal of this study is to determine the influence various demand 15 distributions and operational cost functions have on the evolution and topology of a monocentric 16 urban transport network using topological indicators. To this end, an investment model network 17 analysis framework is developed and applied to an idealised radio-centric network considered as a 18 simplification of metropolitan urban public transport networks. The main contributions pertain to 19 the examination of prevailing network structures for alternative modal supply properties and the 20 relation between the underlying growth process and the evolution of key topological characteristics. 21 Results provide insights into the circumstances under which various network structures prevail for 22 different rapid transit modes and demand patterns.

24 Keywords: Public Transport; Network Structure; Network Topology; Network Evolution; Rapid 25 Transit.