Inter-city passenger transport connectivity : measurement and applications

This study proposed a model to calculate connectivity of multiple transport modes involving quantity and multiple dimensions of quality. Ranking results have been produced for the air-rail connectivity of 2016 and the air connectivity of 2005-2016, with a focus on Chinese cities. The connectivity model incorporates multiple quality-adjustment (discount) factors, including capacity and velocity penalties to correct/adjust for the quality of a connection. The three major economic zones in China, namely, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze-River Delta, and Pearl-River Delta, are found to have leading connectivity. We also identify the underlying drivers of the variation in airport connectivity over the period of 2005-2016. It is observed that Chinese airports experienced great increase in air connectivity over the study period. Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, and Guangzhou Baiyun are far ahead of other airports in terms of overall connectivity, which is especially so in terms of international connectivity. However, the growth of some tourism cities and small cities has been stagnant and they suffered losses of connectivity at times. Airport competition measured by HHI, average fare, investment in local city’s fixed assets and airport facilities, macroeconomic conditions, and population are found to be closely associated with an airport’s connectivity. We also find the presence of low-cost carriers (LCCs) are conducive for air connectivity while HSR has the effect of decreasing airport connectivity.Business, Sauder School ofGraduat