A MULTI-HAZARD AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CRITICALITY ASSESSMENT OF THE SERBIAN ROAD NETWORK: SUPPORTING CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT
Abstract
Climate change is increasingly disrupting transport systems through a combination of extreme weather events and long-term environmental changes. In addition to physical damage, disruptions to road networks can significantly affect access to essential services and the functioning of critical socio-economic systems. This paper presents an integrated methodology for assessing the climate and functional criticality of the Serbian road network, developed to support infrastructure resilience and asset management. The approach combines multi-hazard analysis—including floods, landslides, snowdrifts, and increasing precipitation under climate change with network performance and socio-economic indicators, such as accessibility to healthcare, emergency services, and key transport nodes.A GIS-based framework is used to identify road segments that are both exposed to climate hazards and critical for maintaining connectivity and service accessibility. Due to data sensitivity, the paper focuses on the methodological approach and its application, while results are presented at an aggregated level.The proposed framework provides a practical tool for risk-informed decision-making, supporting the prioritization of investments, maintenance planning, and the development of climate adaptation and crisis management strategies in the transport sector.
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