Evaluation and optimization analysis of high-speed rail network structure in Northeast China under the background of northeast revitalization

Abstract

The construction of high-speed rail (HSR) network has promoted the social-economic ties of cities, accelerated the compression of time and space, and changed the pattern of regional development. In this paper, with the adoption of the operation frequency data of HSR from 12306 website, and based on the HSR connection strength model and social network analysis model, as well as according to the HSR connection strength, HSR network density, centrality, agglomeration subgroup, and other indicators, we analyzed the characteristics of HSR network structure in Northeast China. Results show that the number of HSR cities in Northeast China is small, cities in HSR network generally exhibit weak connectivity, and the existence of HSR network marginalizes cities such as Ulanhot, Baicheng, and Songyuan, which significantly reduce the overall network connectivity of Northeast China. The overall centrality of HSR network in Northeast China is characterized by “one axis, four edges”; specifically, the one axis is located in Harbin-Dalian transportation line and the four edges are located on both sides of the main axis of Harbin-Dalian transportation line. Eight agglomeration subgroups (four double city subgroups and four multi city subgroups) have formed in Northeast China. The core status of Shenyang in HSR network is improved significantly, and “one axis and two wings” HSR network in Liaoning Province is improved significantly. With the gradual expansion of Chaoyang-Fuxin, Dandong-Benxi, and Jilin-Yanji branch networks, the “point axis” HSR network mode in Northeast China has gradually developed and matured. In the future, it is recommended to rely on eight agglomerating subgroups to encrypt HSR network structure, create secondary node central cities, and gradually build a new pattern of opening up in Northeast China.