A Network-Based Spatial Assessment of Road Accessibility and Logistics Vulnerability
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.67334/cds31202640Keywords:
Road accessibility, Logistics vulnerability, Network analysis, Strategic corridors, CRITIC, Spatial decision supportAbstract
Road accessibility is a key determinant of logistics resilience, territorial connectivity, emergency response capability, and regional development. In geographically extensive countries with uneven settlement patterns, logistics vulnerability is influenced not only by travel distance but also by network topology, corridor dependency, and the availability of alternative routes. Despite Libya's strategic position within regional trade networks, a comprehensive network-based framework for evaluating municipal logistics vulnerability has been lacking. This study develops a spatial network assessment framework to analyze road accessibility and logistics vulnerability across Libya. The national road system is modeled as a strategic logistics network connecting twenty major municipalities with maritime gateways and inland logistics hubs. Six indicators are incorporated to capture complementary dimensions of accessibility and network performance: network distance to ports, network distance to logistics hubs, distance to the coastal corridor, road passability exposure, route criticality exposure, and network redundancy constraint. Objective indicator weights are determined using the CRITIC method, and a composite logistics vulnerability index is constructed to classify municipalities and identify critical transport corridors. The findings reveal two dominant drivers of logistics vulnerability: the geographical isolation of southern and peripheral municipalities from coastal gateways and the concentration of national freight flows along a limited number of highly critical corridors. Kufra, Ghadames, Murzuq, Nalut, Ajdabiya, Gharyan, Sirte, and Zliten are identified as the most vulnerable municipalities, while the Misrata–Sirte, Ajdabiya–Sirte, Ajdabiya–Benghazi, and Misrata–Sabha corridor systems emerge as the most critical network segments. The proposed framework provides a robust spatial decision-support tool for infrastructure investment prioritization, corridor resilience planning, logistics network management, and evidence-based regional development policy in Libya.
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