Transport Networks and Transport Structures

Various transport structures can be identified:

• Node. Any location that has access to a transportation network.
• Link. Physical transport infrastructures that enable to connect two nodes.
• Flow. The amount of traffic that circulates on a link between two nodes and the amount of traffic going through a node.
• Hub / Interface. A node that is handling a substantial amount of traffic and which acts as compulsory passage for various flows. An intermodal function is often performed at hubs. Many economic and transport activities as generally located at hubs, including distribution, warehousing, finance and retailing.
• Feeder. A node that is linked to a hub. It organizes the direction of flows along a corridor and can be considered as consolidation and distribution point.
• Corridor. A sequence of nodes and links supporting modal flows of freight, people or information. They are generally concentrated along a communication axis and have a linear orientation.

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