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Vulnerability assessment in inland waterway transportation network for hazardous materials amid demand: A case of the pearl river delta

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  • Zhong, Huiling
  • Lei, Mingtian
  • Gu, Yimiao

Abstract

The transportation of hazardous materials (hazmat) not only carries high risks but is also vulnerable to network disruptions. While most existing studies focus on risk, the vulnerability of hazmat transportation networks has received limited attention. This study proposes a novel demand-based vulnerability assessment framework for the inland waterway network for hazmat transportation (IWNHT), where transportation demand is estimated using Automatic Identification System (AIS) data from hazmat ships. The framework not only considers navigational constraints and external influences to capture realistic IWNHTs operating scenarios, but also quantifies the impact of disruptions on transportation demand and traffic conditions to enhance risk and vulnerability assessment accuracy. A risk-based vulnerability indicator is then designed. The proposed method is applied to the IWNHT of the Pearl River Delta (PRD), showing its effectiveness in identifying critical links. Moreover, a comparative analysis of the link vulnerability and risk is presented, highlighting the differences and connections between the two. The findings provide valuable insights for decision-making in IWNHTs, enhancing network reliability and transportation safety.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhong, Huiling & Lei, Mingtian & Gu, Yimiao, 2025. "Vulnerability assessment in inland waterway transportation network for hazardous materials amid demand: A case of the pearl river delta," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reensy:v:262:y:2025:i:c:s0951832025004053
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ress.2025.111204
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