Self-Organization of Surface Transportation Networks

Transportation Science, Vol. 40, No. 2, pp. 179-188, 2006

30 Pages Posted: 5 Feb 2008

See all articles by David Matthew Levinson

David Matthew Levinson

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Bhanu Yerra

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Abstract

This research investigates the self-organization of surface transportation networks. Using a travel demand model coupled with revenue, cost, and investment models, experiments are run under a variety of parameters on a grid network. It is found that roads, contiguous sections of multiple links operating with similar characteristics, and hierarchies of roads emerge under a broad range of assumptions from networks with neither defined roads nor clearly organized hierarchies. The factors which drive this are the (dis)economies of scale, the presence of boundaries, and any initial asymmetry in the network. This research thus finds that roads and hierarchies, which are often thought to be the product of conscious design, can also arise without such intention.

Keywords: Self-organization, network growth, network evolution, transportation planning

Suggested Citation

Levinson, David Matthew and Yerra, Bhanu, Self-Organization of Surface Transportation Networks. Transportation Science, Vol. 40, No. 2, pp. 179-188, 2006, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1089530

David Matthew Levinson (Contact Author)

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Bhanu Yerra

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ( email )

420 Delaware St. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
United States

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