Absolute and Relative Distance in a Network

The above network represents the same topology but with different distance units of measurement between nodes. In an absolute context, distance in a network is a fixed attribute that does not change. For instance, the straight distance between New York and Boston is about 310 km. The location of the nodes of such a network is also absolute and fixed. In a relative context, distance is a variable attribute that depends on numerous factors, such as technology, the mode being used and its efficiency. Under such circumstances, some nodes of the network are "closer" than others. So, while it took about 44 hours to travel between New York and Boston around 1800, by the end of the 20th century this figure was just above an hour using air travel.