Optimal traffic networks topology: A complex networks perspective

Abstract

We investigate and analyse an optimal traffic network structure for resisting traffic congestion with different volumes of traffic. For this aim, we introduce a cost function and user-equilibrium assignment (UE) which ensures the flow balance on traffic systems. Our finding is that an optimal network is strongly dependent on the total system flow. And the random network is most desirable when the system flow is small. But for the larger volume of traffic, the network with power-law degree distribution is the optimal one. Further study indicates, for scale-free networks, that the degree distribution exponent has large effects on the congestion of traffic network. Therefore, the volume of traffic and characteristic of network determine the optimal network structure so as to minimize the side-effect produced by traffic congestion.