High-Speed Rail Network Structural Characteristics and Evolution in China

Based on high-speed rail (HSR) network data from 2008 to 2020, this study explores the structural characteristics and evolution of China's HSR network from the perspective of the overall network and urban node network centrality. We show that the overall connectivity of the HSR network has improved significantly, whereas the accessibility of the HSR network has improved slightly. Furthermore, both the density and accessibility of the HSR network in different regions gradually show a decreasing trend from the east coast zone to the southwest. We also find that from the perspective of urban node network centrality, cities with high degree centrality and high betweenness centrality are densely distributed along the northern coast, eastern coast, as well as middle reaches of both the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers. Finally, the node cities have shown a significant increase in both degree centrality and betweenness centrality; thus, both the hub role and radiation capacity have improved. Our study suggests that the government should closely monitor the development of HSR networks in the western region.

Automated summary

This study examines the structural characteristics and evolution of China's high-speed rail (HSR) network from 2008 to 2020. The overall connectivity of the HSR network has significantly improved, while the accessibility has slightly improved. Cities with high degree centrality and betweenness centrality are mainly located along the northern coast, eastern coast, and middle reaches of the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers. The hub role and radiation capacity of node cities have both increased. The government should closely monitor the development of HSR networks in the western region.