01732260

Component

http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/179567.aspx

Transport connectivity can be operationalized in investment appraisal when it is used as one of the criteria in multicriteria investment analysis and network link prioritization. The traditional approach to evaluating the network impacts of transport projects (which involves link capacity and congestion delay considerations under a traffic assignment user equilibrium framework), is appropriate for congested urban networks. On the other hand, for sparse networks (such as rural and low-volume roads), the lack of topological connectivity is a more pressing challenge compared to congestion. The paper argues that for certain kinds of networks such as sparse, rural, multivehicle type, and disconnected networks, assessing the network performance based on topological connectivity is more appropriate compared to link travel times. This paper then identifies five contexts where agencies routinely make investment decisions that require consideration of network topological connectivity. The paper acknowledges the importance of network topological connectivity as an important project evaluation criterion in any of these contexts, and discusses several existing metrics for network topological connectivity. The paper proposes a method for developing a comprehensive index of network topological connectivity. The method incorporates the preferences of the network users regarding specific network features (nodes and links) and individual measures of topological performance. The paper then uses a case study to demonstrate how agencies can apply the framework to assess the overall connectivity of their networks at the current time or in response to prospective link-development projects, in any of the five contexts mentioned above.

01730920

English

pp 150-167

2019-9

Transportation Research Circular

12th International Conference on Low-Volume Roads

Digital/other

Figures; References; Tables

Case studies; Connectivity; Decision making; Highway design; Investments; Low volume roads; Network links; Network nodes; Networks

Design; Economics; Highways; Planning and Forecasting

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Feb 27 2020 3:36PM