Measuring Transport Resilience: A Manawatu-Wanganui Region Case Study
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Date
2014
DOI
Open Access Location
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Publisher
Resource and Environmental Planning, Massey University
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Abstract
The resilience of transport networks is attracting greater scrutiny at the international,
national and sub-national levels. This research report explores the current state of
knowledge about measuring transport resilience and presents a case study to address the
question is: How resilient is the road and rail infrastructure in the Manawatu-Wanganui
Region? This region in New Zealand’s lower North Island provides an interesting case
study due to its strategic location in the North Island’s and indeed New Zealand’s
transport network. In addition, it has experienced significant disruptions in the recent
past, most notably widespread failures caused by flooding in 2004, and the lengthy
closure of a significant inter-regional road connection, the Manawatu Gorge State
Highway 3 road, due to a landslide in 2011-2012. It also provides an opportunity to
explore this topic outside of a major metropolitan region. The region’s transport networks
and infrastructure also have important social and economic functions.
This research report is structured around a proposed Transport Resilience Indicator
Framework (RIF) which explores six key dimensions of transport infrastructure resilience:
engineering, services, ecological, social, economic and institutional. This holistic approach
to measuring transport resilience and is envisaged to accommodate both qualitative and
quantitative indicators. Within this framework, data were gathered via analysis of
secondary sources and nine key informant interviews. The interview participants were
from public sector agencies responsible for managing aspects of the region’s transport
network, the private sector and one social service provider. The participants had
considerable knowledge relating to the planning of the road network and/or its economic
and social significance. They also had knowledge of the impacts and/or management of
recent disruptions.
The institutions responsible for managing the region’s transport network can identify
vulnerabilities in the network, but can also collaborate and learn from past disruptions.
Concerns were expressed about the level of funding for maintaining and upgrading the
region’s transport networks, particularly for territorial authorities with large networks and
small rates bases. The region is strongly dependent on the roading network, with limited
alternatives during roading network disruptions. It proved difficult to quantify the
environmental impacts of transport disruptions. A case study of the response of a local
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health shuttle service provided an example of how a community, by drawing on social
capital, was able to adapt and respond appropriately to a transport disruption.
One key area identified for further research is assessing the capacity of private
contractors to respond to natural hazard events of varying magnitudes. The RIF could
also be strengthened by the use of indicators based on quantitative data, in addition to
qualitative data. It is suggested that one method of achieving this could this could be to
adopt a multi-disciplinary approach, drawing on expertise, methods and perspectives
from related professions, such as engineering and economics. [Executive summary]