CONCEPTS OF NETWORK VULNERABILITY AND APPLICATIONS TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF CRITICAL ELEMENTS OF TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

Abstract

This paper reviews previous research in the field of network reliability, and discusses extensions and adaptations to the reliability concepts that are more appropriate for strategic-level multi-modal transport systems. This leads to the concept and definition of network vulnerability. The paper then discusses the development of techniques to identify specific 'weak spots', critical infrastructure, in a network, where failure of some part of the transport infrastructure would have the most serious effects on access to specific locations and overall system performance. The Australian National Highway System (NHS) network is used as a case study, but the concepts and techniques described in this paper have much wider application. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E210413.