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Symmetry breaking in optimal transport networks

Author

Listed:
  • Siddharth Patwardhan

    (Indiana University)

  • Marc Barthelemy

    (Institut de Physique Théorique
    Centre d’Analyse et de Mathématique Sociales (CNRS/EHESS) 54 Avenue de Raspail)

  • Şirag Erkol

    (Northwestern University)

  • Santo Fortunato

    (Indiana University)

  • Filippo Radicchi

    (Indiana University)

Abstract

Engineering multilayer networks that efficiently connect sets of points in space is a crucial task in all practical applications that concern the transport of people or the delivery of goods. Unfortunately, our current theoretical understanding of the shape of such optimal transport networks is quite limited. Not much is known about how the topology of the optimal network changes as a function of its size, the relative efficiency of its layers, and the cost of switching between layers. Here, we show that optimal networks undergo sharp transitions from symmetric to asymmetric shapes, indicating that it is sometimes better to avoid serving a whole area to save on switching costs. Also, we analyze the real transportation networks of the cities of Atlanta, Boston, and Toronto using our theoretical framework and find that they are farther away from their optimal shapes as traffic congestion increases.

Suggested Citation

  • Siddharth Patwardhan & Marc Barthelemy & Şirag Erkol & Santo Fortunato & Filippo Radicchi, 2024. "Symmetry breaking in optimal transport networks," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-48068-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48068-9
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