Flood Vulnerability of Transport Infrastructure: Classification of Construction Types, Structural Condition and Adaptation Measures to Reduce Vulnerability

The study aims to develop a method for characterizing the vulnerability of transportation infrastructures such as roads and railways, starting with an analysis of damage patterns from flooding events. It classifies damage patterns based on exposure considerations and systematically categorizes types of damage. The vulnerability assessment involves classifying various construction types, emphasizing the inclusion and evaluation of structural conditions. Relevant factors such as terrain connection are also taken into account. Initially, the common building types were categorized according to their susceptibility to flooding and assigned to technical hazard classes. Construction-type-specific criteria were developed to assess structural conditions, enabling assignment to corresponding classes. Vulnerability and condition classes are methodically related, resulting in the assignment to a vulnerability class. The combined analysis of construction-type susceptibility and structural condition reveals that both an unfavorable construction type and impairments to the structural condition can increase vulnerability. Mapping vulnerability classes provides insights into potential damage locations, addressing the need to reduce vulnerability. Beyond selecting less susceptible construction types in the future, the study emphasizes the potential to avoid condition impairments. The findings offer specific recommendations for action.