Assessment of Bucharest Metro Expansion and Its Correlation with the Territorial System

The objective of this paper is to determine how the Bucharest metro network has developed from a topological and functional perspective. The research methodology consisted of conducting a topological analysis of the graph representing the metro network, along with a functional analysis. The topological analysis was carried out at two different moments in time and aimed to determine the connectivity indices of the graph associated with the network. The results showed a decrease in connectivity indices, indicating that the network expanded by extending its structure rather than increasing the number of connections between nodes. The functional analysis consisted in determining nodal accessibility using two models: the generalized nodal accessibility model and the Shimbel matrix and vector model. The results of this analysis led to the establishment of a hierarchy of the network’s nodes. The functional analysis also included the evaluation of accessibility for the zones into which the city was divided. Accessibility was determined using an original model based on the number of metro stations (poles) that can be reached within a certain time interval. The functional analyses, as conducted, aimed to assess the evolution of various network parameters and of accessibility. The accessibility of the metro network was correlated with the population density in the analyzed zones, showing that in many cases, the development of the network did not align with the density of the served areas, which may lead to inefficiencies in metro transportation. The discussions and conclusions focused on the research results and provided directions for future development of the network, aiming to increase the use of metro transportation.