Modeling Knowledge Spillover Effects in High-Speed Rail Development: A Discrete Simulation Approach Using Cellular Automata

The advent of High-Speed Rail (HSR) systems presents a unique opportunity to explore their influence on regional knowledge dynamics. This study employs a discrete simulation model using cellular automata to investigate the potential impacts of HSR on regional innovation, particularly focusing on knowledge spillover effects. By integrating principles from economic interaction and complex systems theory, the model simulates the spatial distribution and evolution of innovation activities post-HSR implementation. Our findings indicate that HSR acts as a catalyst for the development of regional innovation clusters, effectively transforming HSR-connected cities into focal points of knowledge and innovation. The progression of regional knowledge innovation systems through the model reveals three distinct stages, each characterized by unique mechanisms of knowledge spillover driven by the synergies between knowledge creation and socio-economic factors. The study identifies a consistent pattern of HSR influence on knowledge spillover at the system level, initiating from central urban hubs and significantly enhancing innovation capabilities at the community level. This leads to a higher concentration of innovation activities, thereby reinforcing the regional innovation landscape. The results underscore the strategic importance of HSR in fostering interconnected innovation ecosystems and enhancing regional competitiveness.