Examining transportation network structures through mobile signaling data in urban China: a case study of Yixing

Mobile signaling data (MSD) have become important for studying the characteristics of transportation network structures and human socioeconomic activities. However, the conversion of MSD into datasets that are suitable for transportation network analyses remains challenging, because MSD cannot directly reflect the transportation flow patterns through global positional system (GPS) data. We proposed a method of converting MSD that is suitable for complex transportation network analysis. We also visualized the distribution of transportation flow on the road based on MSD by using an application programming interface (API) of Gaode Map. Taking Yixing, China as an example, we analyzed the topology of the transportation network, identified major transportation nodes and sub-network distributions, and modelled the transportation flows on the road. Based on the results, we proposed relevant strategies to improve the provision of transportation services in the city.