Vulnerability Assessment Through Topological Metrics: A Complex Network Theory Application to South Korea’s Railway Infrastructure

This study presents a methodology for evaluating railroad networks through the lens of connectivity and vulnerability. By categorizing the Korean railroad network into interregional and urban systems, we assess both current and future network connectivity and vulnerability using recently developed vulnerability indicators grounded in graph theory, alongside established centrality-based metrics. The analysis reveals that urban railroads exert a more significant influence on the overall efficiency of the network, although this disparity is expected to diminish in the future. Vulnerability is projected to decrease for interregional railroads, while it is anticipated to increase for certain segments within metropolitan areas. The findings underscore the importance of considering vulnerability in tandem with connectivity and highlight the need for strategies to mitigate vulnerability to ensure resilience of the railroad, network.