How can GIS support transportation system resilience?

Transportation systems are essential for urban mobility, economic activity, and social well-being. However, they are also vulnerable to various hazards, such as natural disasters, accidents, cyberattacks, or pandemics. How can urban planners use geographic information systems (GIS) to enhance the resilience of transportation systems, that is, their ability to cope with, adapt to, and recover from disruptions?

1 GIS and resilience

GIS is a powerful tool that can capture, store, analyze, and visualize spatial data. It can help urban planners understand the current and potential impacts of hazards on transportation networks, infrastructure, and users. GIS can also support decision-making and planning for resilience by providing scenarios, alternatives, and trade-offs. For example, GIS can help identify critical routes, nodes, and assets, assess their exposure and vulnerability, and prioritize interventions to reduce risks and enhance redundancy.

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Quanita A. K., ACEcD, MIED, MInstD

Director and Technical Lead | International Economist | Strategy and Foresight | Sustainable Urban Development | Cities | Data | Social Impact | Commonwealth Scholar | Institute of Directors
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🛣️ Enhancing Transportation Resilience with GIS is a game changer! 🌐 Imagine a city where traffic jams are rare, road closures don't cause chaos, and emergency responses are fast. That's the power of GIS in transportation resilience! 📍 Take New York City, for example. They've harnessed GIS to optimise emergency vehicle routes, reducing response times during disasters. By analysing real-time traffic data, weather conditions, and infrastructure status, GIS connects the dots and enables a resilient & smart city! GIS isn't just about maps; it's about smart decision-making. It: ✅ Predicts traffic bottlenecks before they occur. ✅ Plans evacuation routes during extreme weather. ✅ Manages real-time road repair updates to minimise disruptions.

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2 GIS and mitigation

Mitigation refers to the actions taken to reduce the likelihood or severity of hazards or their consequences. GIS can help urban planners design and implement mitigation strategies for transportation systems, such as improving infrastructure standards, diversifying modes and routes, or integrating green and blue infrastructure. GIS can also help monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures by tracking indicators, such as emissions, congestion, or accessibility.

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Quanita A. K., ACEcD, MIED, MInstD

Director and Technical Lead | International Economist | Strategy and Foresight | Sustainable Urban Development | Cities | Data | Social Impact | Commonwealth Scholar | Institute of Directors
(edited)
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🌟 How Cities Stay Ahead! Urban GIS for Transportation Mitigation🚦 How Cities Stay Ahead! 🔍 Case in Point: The bustling metropolis of Los Angeles has been leveraging GIS to transform its transportation landscape. By analysing traffic patterns, accident hotspots, and public transit usage, the city has implemented targeted interventions to alleviate congestion and enhance road safety. Benefits of GIS in transportation mitigation: 🚍 Streamlines public transit routes to serve more people with fewer resources. 🚧 Identifies infrastructure needs for proactive upgrades and maintenance. 🛑 Prioritizes high-risk intersection improvements to reduce accidents. #UrbanMobility #Cities #Data

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3 GIS and preparedness

Preparedness refers to the actions taken to enhance the readiness and capacity of transportation systems and users to respond to hazards. GIS can help urban planners develop and communicate preparedness plans for transportation systems, such as emergency routes, evacuation zones, or contingency services. GIS can also help coordinate and mobilize resources and stakeholders by providing real-time information, alerts, and maps.

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Chinmay Prabhakar

Impact | Green Transition | Change Management | Infrastructure Governance | DPI | PFM | LKYSPP | NUS | CEPT | VNIT | NLU
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GIS can support transportation system resilience by providing tools for mapping, analyzing, and visualizing transportation networks in relation to environmental and man-made hazards. GIS enables transportation planners to identify vulnerable infrastructure, assess risks, and prioritize mitigation efforts. It facilitates real-time monitoring and management of transportation systems during emergencies, enhancing response and recovery efforts. Additionally, GIS supports the planning and implementation of adaptive measures, such as route diversification and infrastructure reinforcements, to increase the robustness and flexibility of transportation networks.

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4 GIS and response

Response refers to the actions taken to manage and cope with the immediate effects of hazards on transportation systems and users. GIS can help urban planners assess and respond to the damage and disruption caused by hazards, such as road closures, traffic jams, or casualties. GIS can also help restore and maintain the functionality and safety of transportation systems by providing situational awareness, guidance, and feedback.

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5 GIS and recovery

Recovery refers to the actions taken to restore and improve the conditions of transportation systems and users after hazards. GIS can help urban planners evaluate and learn from the impacts and outcomes of hazards, such as losses, gaps, or opportunities. GIS can also help plan and implement recovery actions for transportation systems, such as repairing, upgrading, or transforming infrastructure, services, or policies.

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6 GIS and adaptation

Adaptation refers to the actions taken to adjust and transform transportation systems and users to cope with the changing conditions and risks posed by hazards. GIS can help urban planners anticipate and project the future scenarios and impacts of hazards, such as climate change, population growth, or technological innovation. GIS can also help design and test adaptation strategies for transportation systems, such as enhancing flexibility, diversity, or innovation.

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Quanita A. K., ACEcD, MIED, MInstD

Director and Technical Lead | International Economist | Strategy and Foresight | Sustainable Urban Development | Cities | Data | Social Impact | Commonwealth Scholar | Institute of Directors
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🌱 Adapting to Change: GIS Paves the Way for Future-Ready Transportation! 🛤️ 🚗 Spotlight on Amsterdam: A city synonymous with innovation, it's using GIS to adapt its transportation network for a sustainable future. By analyzing geographic data and travel trends, Amsterdam is reshaping its urban landscape to prioritize cycling, walking, and electric public transit, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and cutting emissions. Here's how GIS helps cities to adapt: 🌳 Integrates environmental considerations, creating greener routes 🌧️ Anticipates and responds to climate impacts, like rising sea levels, on transportation infrastructure. 🚴♂️ Rebalances transportation modes to support a healthier, active population. #SustainableCities #GIS

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can GIS support transportation system resilience?

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2

3

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1 GIS and resilience

2 GIS and mitigation

3 GIS and preparedness

4 GIS and response

5 GIS and recovery

6 GIS and adaptation

7 Here’s what else to consider

Urban Planning

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How can GIS support transportation system resilience?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 GIS and resilience

2 GIS and mitigation

3 GIS and preparedness

4 GIS and response

5 GIS and recovery

6 GIS and adaptation

7 Here’s what else to consider

Urban Planning

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