Characteristics and robustness analysis of high-speed railway network in China: A hypernetwork perspective

As a representative of the transportation systems in China, high-speed railway (HSR) network plays an extremely important role at many levels of economy and strategy. This paper focuses on the topological structure and resilience of China’s HSR transportation network from a hyper-network perspective. Initially, we construct a hyper-network representation of China’s HSR system. We visualize this network, revealing instances where specific HSR lines detach from the main network. Subsequently, we choose metrics tailored to the characteristics of HSR transportation for topological analysis. Finally, we employ natural connectivity as an indicator to quantify network resilience. Dynamic assessments using both random and intentional strategies are conducted to evaluate the network’s ability to withstand disruptions. Our results highlight the pivotal role of a few key nodes within the HSR hyper-network, such as Zhengzhou East Station and Nanjing South Station, which hold significant value. Experimental findings underscore that prioritizing attacks on these nodes has the most significant impact on the network’s natural connectivity. This paper integrates hypergraph theory with the HSR network, taking into account geographical relevance and operational considerations. This integration enhances the precision of our study on the topological characteristics and resilience of the HSR transportation network. The outcomes of our research offer valuable scientific insights for the planning, construction, and operation of HSR networks. They hold substantial practical significance in advancing China’s railway transportation sector. © 2024 Systems Engineering Society of China. All rights reserved.