Multilayer public transport networks

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Šfiligoj, Tina, Massobrio, Renzo, Cats, Oded
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2026
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author Šfiligoj, Tina
Massobrio, Renzo
Cats, Oded
author_facet Šfiligoj, Tina
Massobrio, Renzo
Cats, Oded
contents The introduction of network science approaches into public transport research has seen great advances in the past 15 years. However, it has become apparent that monolayer networks are often not sufficient to model and analyse real-world systems in sufficient detail. In the last decade, the theory of multilayer networks has proven to be an invaluable tool in various disciplines, including transport. Multilayer networks consist of layers of networks that are coupled among themselves. This enables modelling of complex systems with heterogeneous elements and relations between them. Although there is a body of work in public transport research that uses multilayer networks, the related literature is scattered, lacking unified terminology and agreed-upon approaches. We posit that there is vast uncovered potential in using multilayer network approaches to public transport modelling, planning, and operations. We first present the basic formalisms of multilayer networks with a focus on how they (may) relate to public transport networks. We then provide a systematic review of the literature on multilayer networks in public transport research. We identify and taxonomise ways in which public transport systems are modelled as multilayer networks. Based on the survey and drawing from the state and history of network science in public transport research as well as multilayer approaches across other application domains, we propose a research agenda for multilayer public transport networks for the upcoming decade(s).
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2603_21130
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Multilayer public transport networks
Šfiligoj, Tina
Massobrio, Renzo
Cats, Oded
Physics and Society
Applied Physics
The introduction of network science approaches into public transport research has seen great advances in the past 15 years. However, it has become apparent that monolayer networks are often not sufficient to model and analyse real-world systems in sufficient detail. In the last decade, the theory of multilayer networks has proven to be an invaluable tool in various disciplines, including transport. Multilayer networks consist of layers of networks that are coupled among themselves. This enables modelling of complex systems with heterogeneous elements and relations between them. Although there is a body of work in public transport research that uses multilayer networks, the related literature is scattered, lacking unified terminology and agreed-upon approaches. We posit that there is vast uncovered potential in using multilayer network approaches to public transport modelling, planning, and operations. We first present the basic formalisms of multilayer networks with a focus on how they (may) relate to public transport networks. We then provide a systematic review of the literature on multilayer networks in public transport research. We identify and taxonomise ways in which public transport systems are modelled as multilayer networks. Based on the survey and drawing from the state and history of network science in public transport research as well as multilayer approaches across other application domains, we propose a research agenda for multilayer public transport networks for the upcoming decade(s).
title Multilayer public transport networks
topic Physics and Society
Applied Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.21130