Fig. 3: Development paths of nine representative Golden Inland Waterways.
In each of the nine sub-graphs, dynamic changes are shown of bearing capacity (BC, Mt yr−1), transport need (TN, expressed as actual freight transport volume, Mt yr−1), and consistency index (CI = 0–1, defined as the ratio of TN to BC). These include (a–f) the L-L pattern represented by Mississippi, Rhine, Volga, Yangtze, Pearl, and Amazon, respectively; (g) the M-L pattern represented by Ganges; (h) the L-M pattern by Rhone; and (i) the M-M patter by Congo. Blue and yellow lines denote the evolution of TN and BC, respectively, whereas black dots indicate the trend of CI. Source data are provided as a Source Data file.
