Hub Identification of the Metro Manila Road Network Using PageRank

TL;DR

This paper uses PageRank to identify critical hubs in the Metro Manila road network to enhance its robustness against potential terrorist attacks, focusing on strategic points like airports and major highways.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of PageRank for hub identification in road networks and proposes a model for assessing network robustness against attacks.

Findings

Key hubs are near airports, piers, and major highways

PageRank effectively identifies critical nodes in the network

The model aids in planning defense and security measures

Abstract

We attempt to identify the different node hubs of a road network using PageRank for preparation for possible random terrorist attacks. The robustness of a road network against such attack is crucial to be studied because it may cripple its connectivity by simply shutting down these hubs. We show the important hubs in a road network based on network structure and propose a model for robustness analysis. By identifying important hubs in a road network, possible preparation schemes may be done earlier to mitigate random terrorist attacks, including defense reinforcement and transportation security. A case study of the Metro Manila road network is also presented. The case study shows that the most important hubs in the Metro Manila road network are near airports, piers, major highways and expressways