A Data-Driven Framework for Multi-Stressor Climate Risk Assessment of Road Infrastructure: Network-Scale Application in Victoria, Australia

This thesis develops a data-driven framework to assess how climate change affects road networks. It combines information on hazards such as extreme rainfall and heat, traffic levels, and road conditions to produce a simple risk score for each road. The results show that risk increases as the climate warms and that different factors drive risk in different locations. The framework identifies the most vulnerable roads and where impacts are likely to worsen. It provides a practical screening tool to support planners and engineers in prioritising maintenance, improving resilience, and supporting better long-term investment decisions. This work supports more reliable and cost-effective transport networks under a changing climate.