Solution of a Busemann problem (Q542175)

A Busemann \(G\)-space \(M\) is a locally compact, complete metric space with intrinsic metric which has the local prolongation property of geodesics. By definition, a geodesic in \(M\) is the image of an isometric mapping of \({\mathbb R}\) to \(M\). H. Busemann posed the problem to determine all \(G\)-spaces \(M\) such that the isometry group of \(M\) acts transitively on the space of all geodesics. He solved it for the case of compact \(M\) and gave a classification in [\textit{H. Busemann}, ``Groups of motions transitive on sets of geodesics'', Duke Math. J. 23, 539--544 (1956; Zbl 0075.31801)]. They are the compact symmetric spaces of rank 1. In this paper, for the case of noncompact \(M\), the author proves that each such space is isometric to the Euclidean space or to one of the noncompact symmetric Riemannian spaces of rank 1.