Evolution Characteristics Analysis of Urban Rail Transit Network in Shanghai

The formulation and extension of transport network is a complex and dynamic process, so is the urban rail transit network. Recent researches of complex network have focused on network classification according to network topological characteristics. However, few researches can be found on transport networks, especially urban rail transit networks. Because of its peculiarities in spatial structure, it will be more realistic to also consider demand and operation of transport network. In this paper, the development of Shanghai rail transit network during 1993–2008 is investigated. Characteristic indices from topology, demand (passenger flow) and operation (travel time), such as degree, circuitness, treeness and closeness, are selected respectively to describe the evolution characteristics of rail transit network. The basic principle of temporal variation of these indices is analyzed.