Research on the Evaluation of the Node Cities of China Railway Express Based on Machine Learning

As a crucial component of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China Railway Express (CR Express) plays a pivotal role in enhancing regional connectivity and economic integration. However, the systematic evaluation of CR Express node cities remains understudied, hindering the optimization of logistic...

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Main Authors: Chenglin Ma, Mengwei Zhou, Wenchao Kang, Haolong Wang, Jiajia Feng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/14/7/237
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author Chenglin Ma
Mengwei Zhou
Wenchao Kang
Haolong Wang
Jiajia Feng
author_facet Chenglin Ma
Mengwei Zhou
Wenchao Kang
Haolong Wang
Jiajia Feng
author_sort Chenglin Ma
collection DOAJ
description As a crucial component of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China Railway Express (CR Express) plays a pivotal role in enhancing regional connectivity and economic integration. However, the systematic evaluation of CR Express node cities remains understudied, hindering the optimization of logistics networks and sustainable development goals. This study pioneers a data-driven approach by integrating multi-source geospatial data and advanced machine learning algorithms to develop a comprehensive evaluation framework spanning five critical dimensions: economic vitality, ecological sustainability, logistics capacity, network connectivity, and policy support. By comparing the evaluation performance of six machine learning models, an optimal decision-making model is identified, and the evaluation indicators are rigorously screened to provide robust decision-support for the establishment of CR Express assembly centers. The Random Forest model outperformed comparative algorithms with 99.5% prediction accuracy (8.33% higher than conventional classification models), particularly in handling multi-dimensional interactions between urban development factors. Feature importance analysis identified 11 decisive indicators from node city evaluation empirical indicators, where CR Express trade volume (weight = 0.1269), logistics hub classification (weight = 0.1091), and operational frequency (weight = 0.0980) emerged as the top three predictors. Spatial predictions highlight five strategic cities (Changsha, Wuhan, Shenyang, Jinan, Hefei) as prime candidates for CR Express assembly centers, providing actionable insights for national logistics planning under the BRI framework.
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spelling doaj-art-8d15b6b07a0d475ebfb83ca8cec8dafc2025-07-25T13:24:51ZengMDPI AGISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information2220-99642025-06-0114723710.3390/ijgi14070237Research on the Evaluation of the Node Cities of China Railway Express Based on Machine LearningChenglin Ma0Mengwei Zhou1Wenchao Kang2Haolong Wang3Jiajia Feng4School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Transportation, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Transportation, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Transportation, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Transportation, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaAs a crucial component of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China Railway Express (CR Express) plays a pivotal role in enhancing regional connectivity and economic integration. However, the systematic evaluation of CR Express node cities remains understudied, hindering the optimization of logistics networks and sustainable development goals. This study pioneers a data-driven approach by integrating multi-source geospatial data and advanced machine learning algorithms to develop a comprehensive evaluation framework spanning five critical dimensions: economic vitality, ecological sustainability, logistics capacity, network connectivity, and policy support. By comparing the evaluation performance of six machine learning models, an optimal decision-making model is identified, and the evaluation indicators are rigorously screened to provide robust decision-support for the establishment of CR Express assembly centers. The Random Forest model outperformed comparative algorithms with 99.5% prediction accuracy (8.33% higher than conventional classification models), particularly in handling multi-dimensional interactions between urban development factors. Feature importance analysis identified 11 decisive indicators from node city evaluation empirical indicators, where CR Express trade volume (weight = 0.1269), logistics hub classification (weight = 0.1091), and operational frequency (weight = 0.0980) emerged as the top three predictors. Spatial predictions highlight five strategic cities (Changsha, Wuhan, Shenyang, Jinan, Hefei) as prime candidates for CR Express assembly centers, providing actionable insights for national logistics planning under the BRI framework.https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/14/7/237China Railway Expressnode city evaluationmachine learningfeature selection
spellingShingle Chenglin Ma
Mengwei Zhou
Wenchao Kang
Haolong Wang
Jiajia Feng
Research on the Evaluation of the Node Cities of China Railway Express Based on Machine Learning
ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information
China Railway Express
node city evaluation
machine learning
feature selection
title Research on the Evaluation of the Node Cities of China Railway Express Based on Machine Learning
title_full Research on the Evaluation of the Node Cities of China Railway Express Based on Machine Learning
title_fullStr Research on the Evaluation of the Node Cities of China Railway Express Based on Machine Learning
title_full_unstemmed Research on the Evaluation of the Node Cities of China Railway Express Based on Machine Learning
title_short Research on the Evaluation of the Node Cities of China Railway Express Based on Machine Learning
title_sort research on the evaluation of the node cities of china railway express based on machine learning
topic China Railway Express
node city evaluation
machine learning
feature selection
url https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/14/7/237
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