sfnetworks

sfnetworks is an R package specifically developed for the analysis of geospatial networks. It serves as a bridge, connecting and expanding upon the functionalities offered by two prominent R packages: {tidygraph} for general network analysis and {sf} for handling spatial data. This integration allows users to perform complex geospatial network operations within a familiar and consistent tidyverse framework. The package facilitates tasks such as creating network objects from spatial lines, performing shortest path calculations, and analyzing network topology with a strong emphasis on spatial context, making it a valuable resource for spatial data scientists.

The tool is particularly useful for researchers and practitioners working with transportation networks, river systems, or any other form of connected spatial infrastructure. It provides a comprehensive set of functions for manipulating, querying, and visualizing spatial networks, ensuring that the geometric properties of network elements are always considered. By leveraging the strengths of both {tidygraph} and {sf}, sfnetworks offers a robust and flexible environment for exploring and understanding the spatial relationships within network data. As an open-source project, it benefits from community contributions and continuous development, ensuring its adaptability and relevance in the evolving field of geospatial analysis. It aims to simplify the process of combining network analysis with spatial data science, making advanced geospatial network operations more accessible to R users and fostering more insightful spatial analyses.