Complexity and vulnerability of high-speed rail network in China

The layout of High-speed rail network determines its performance of the flexibility, connectivity and reliability. Based on complex network theory, this paper constructs Chinese high-speed rail networks(CHSRN) at three periods, and analyzes their complex properties. Using a comprehensive evaluation index combined with degree and betweenness of nodes to discover the important stations, this paper simulates the performance of the network vulnerability when the stations are failed under random and malicious attacks. The survivability and rationality of three networks are compared to study the dynamic change of network vulnerability. The result shows that CHSRN has the topological characteristics of random network, and transforms to scale-free and small world network with the development gradually, meanwhile, the network increasingly evolved from local cluster to global complex connection. From 2015 to 2020, the connectivity and reliability of CHSRN changes slightly, and from 2020 to 2030 it becomes more robust and flexible and the network's performance promotes significantly. This paper will provide theoretical support and analysis verification of enhancing the network structure performance and improving its emergency support capacity.