Abstract
This paper investigates the impact of partial node failure from the perspective of shortest path network problems. We propose a network model that we call shortest path network problems for partial node failure, designed to examine the influence of partial node failures in a flow-based network using a set of indicators. The concept of partial node failure was applied to a special type of hub station, a mandatory transfer in subway or railway systems where multiple lines are arranged for the transfer of passengers. Numerical experiments were carried out on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority network (WMATA). The results or analysis detail how changes in flow distribution in the network were measured when a station partially failed, as well as ways of identifying heavily impacted stations with respect to different indicators. Various partial node failure scenarios were simulated for origin–destination (OD) flows by days, providing comprehensive information with which to evaluate plans for partial node failures, such as those related to scheduling maintenance, along with insights with which to make contingent plans for potential closure of stations. A major finding emphasizes that the rankings of station criticality are highly sensitive to the different OD flows by days when partial node failures are assumed in network modeling.
Highlights
The malfunction of network components has the potential to impact the operation of a network to varying extents and has been highlighted as a major issue of network economy [1,2,3]
In the case of transportation networks where multiple lines are connected at transfer stations or terminals, such as railway networks, the impact of partial failure might not cause complete malfunction of a transfer station, because passengers can take detours along their journey using available non-affected lines, they may experience a degree of delay or increased travel times when taking alternative paths
This research is intended to answer the following question: If an important transfer station has to be partially closed for at least one day per week as a result of scheduled heavy maintenance or facility upgrading, how can decision-makers determine which day is best for closure so as to minimize the total additional network cost resulting from the partial closing? To address this problem, shortest path problems for all OD pairs to disruption scenarios, together called the SPN model for partial node failure (SPNPr), and the concept of partial node failure with mandatory transfer (MT) are introduced, and the procedures for cost update and link attribute are developed to solve the problems
Summary
The malfunction of network components has the potential to impact the operation of a network to varying extents and has been highlighted as a major issue of network economy [1,2,3]. In the case of transportation networks where multiple lines are connected at transfer stations or terminals, such as railway networks, the impact of partial failure might not cause complete malfunction of a transfer station, because passengers can take detours along their journey using available non-affected lines, they may experience a degree of delay or increased travel times when taking alternative paths. This research is intended to answer the following question: If an important transfer station has to be partially closed (i.e., allows traffic to go through only available lines) for at least one day per week as a result of scheduled heavy maintenance or facility upgrading, how can decision-makers determine which day is best for closure so as to minimize the total additional network cost resulting from the partial closing? The analysis examined the criticality of transfer stations of the WMATA considering the impact of partial node failure, along with variations in criticality rankings with flows at different periods and temporal scales
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