On the geometry of geodesics in discrete optimal transport

Abstract

We consider the space of probability measures on a discrete set X, endowed with a dynamical optimal transport metric. Given two probability measures supported in a subset Y⊆ X, it is natural to ask whether they can be connected by a constant speed geodesic with support in Y at all times. Our main result answers this question affirmatively, under a suitable geometric condition on Y introduced in this paper. The proof relies on an extension result for subsolutions to discrete Hamilton–Jacobi equations, which is of independent interest.