Extreme wet-weather events are increasingly disrupting transport networks, causing more frequent failures to slopes, drainage systems, pavements and rail infrastructure as rainfall intensity rises. While failures often begin at individual assets, the impacts can spread across entire transport corridors, affecting passengers, freight and essential services.
New research presents a framework to help transport agencies justify proactive resilience investment by linking climate risk, asset vulnerability and network-wide operational impacts. Combining AI-augmented analysis, engineering judgement and probabilistic modelling, the approach helps quantify both expected disruption and extreme risk scenarios.
A real-world rail case study found that targeted slope and drainage interventions could reduce line-closure days by around 20% and operational disruption costs by 17%, while requiring only around 3% of total lifetime investment.
The research demonstrates that proactive, risk-based resilience investment can deliver measurable value and improve service continuity in a changing climate.
With thanks to AMCouncil member, Dr Kevin Hang who was provided a scholarship research grant from the AMCouncil to undertake this research in 2025. He presented findings at AMPEAK26 in Perth. Download the research report here.