Transport System Resilience
The transport sector currently faces a number of disruptions related to geopolitics, climate change and energy security. Transport system resilience refers to the sector’s capacity to deal with, adapt to and recover from such disruptions. This report sets out the main disruptions to transport systems worldwide. It explores ways to reduce uncertainty by assessing vulnerabilities, and the main mitigation and adaptation measures required to ensure transport systems function in times of crisis.
This report draws on the deliberations of an ITF Roundtable, Transport System Resilience.
Download a leaflet summarising the report (PDF).
Read the ITF Background Paper, “The Red Sea Crisis: Impacts on global shipping and the case for international co-operation” (PDF).
Policy Insights
- Transport networks are vulnerable.
Transport systems face multiple disruptions, from geopolitical tensions and climate change impacts to pandemics. Understanding these disruptions is crucial for strengthening their resilience. - Disruptions have spillover effects.
Transport networks are interconnected, and transport disruptions in one part of the world can easily spread to other regions. Managing such spillover effects requires inter-regional co-operation. - Be systematic about resilience.
The concept of transport resilience must be built into national-level policies, long-term plans, appraisal procedures, competition policies and transport indicators.