This book investigates the optimization of urban transportation networks, focusing on mass transit systems. It addresses the complex problem of designing efficient networks when the distribution of population and services, movement costs, and construction/maintenance expenses are known, considering both long-term planning and short-term operational assignments. The monograph explores the most general problem settings, where the network's shape and topology are not predetermined.

This monograph is likely to be regarded as a technical and rigorous treatment of urban network optimization, appealing to researchers and practitioners in transportation engineering and operations research. The detailed mathematical models and general problem settings suggest a dense, specialist text aimed at those with a strong background in optimization techniques. The focus on mass transportation and the adaptability of models to other network types indicate a broad applicability within scientific and engineering disciplines.