Structure of Graphs with Locally Restricted Crossings

Abstract: We consider relations between the size, treewidth, and local crossing number (maximum number of crossings per edge) of graphs embedded on topological surfaces. We show that an $n$-vertex graph embedded on a surface of genus $g$ with at most $k$ crossings per edge has treewidth $O(\sqrt{(g+1)(k+1)n})$ and layered treewidth $O((g+1)k)$, and that these bounds are tight up to a constant factor. As a special case, the $k$-planar graphs with $n$ vertices have treewidth $O(\sqrt{(k+1)n})$ and layered treewidth $O(k+1)$, which are tight bounds that improve a previously known $O((k+1)^{3/4}n^{1/2})$ treewidth bound. Analogous results are proved for map graphs defined with respect to any surface. Finally, we show that for $g<m$, every $m$-edge graph can be embedded on a surface of genus~$g$ with $O((m/(g+1))\log^2 g)$ crossings per edge, which is tight to a polylogarithmic factor.