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Efficiency and shrinking in evolving networks
Arianna Bottinelli1, Marco Gherardi2, Marc Barthelemy3,4
11 NORDITA, Stockholm University , Roslagstullsbacken 23, SE-106 91 Stockholm , Sweden.
Journal of the Royal Society, Interface
|May 2, 2019
Summary
The French railway network shrank by 50% from 1930-2000, yet travel times decreased significantly. This study shows network shrinking can improve efficiency and accessibility.
Area of Science:
- Network science
- Transportation systems analysis
- Socio-economic geography
Background:
- Network evolution studies often focus on expansion, with less research on shrinking empirical networks.
- Transportation networks are intrinsically linked to socio-economic factors, making their evolution crucial.
Observation:
- The French railway network's evolution from 1840 to 2000 was analyzed alongside demographic changes.
- Network development was influenced by technological advancements and the need for population coverage and cost-efficiency.
Findings:
- Despite a 50% reduction in length between 1930 and 2000, network efficiency and robustness remained constant.
- Total travel time and time-diameter decreased by over 75% during the shrinking phase.
- Overall accessibility was maintained, with average travel times steadily decreasing since the network's inception.
Implications:
- Network shrinking does not necessarily imply performance decay; it can enhance design goals and adaptive evolution.
- The study highlights the importance of considering multimodal transportation systems acting at different spatial scales.
- Observed trends suggest increased transportation multimodality, such as car usage, alongside railway network changes.
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