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Weather-Related Disruptions in Transportation and Logistics: A Systematic Literature Review and a Policy Implementation Roadmap

Author

Listed:
  • Dimos Touloumidis

    (Information Systems and e-Business Laboratory (ISeB), Department of Applied Informatics, School of Information Sciences, University of Macedonia, 546 36 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Michael Madas

    (Information Systems and e-Business Laboratory (ISeB), Department of Applied Informatics, School of Information Sciences, University of Macedonia, 546 36 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Vasileios Zeimpekis

    (Design, Operations and Production Systems Laboratory (DeOPSyS), Department of Financial and Management Engineering, School of Engineering, University of the Aegean, 82132 Chios, Greece)

  • Georgia Ayfantopoulou

    (Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), Hellenic Institute of Transport, 57001 Thermi, Greece)

Abstract

Background : The increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events (EWEs) as a consequence of climate change pose critical challenges on the transport and logistics sector, hence requiring systematic evaluation and strategic adaptation. Methods : This study conducts a comprehensive systematic literature review (SLR) of 147 peer-reviewed articles and reports through a PRISMA framework to comprehensively identify key weather-induced challenges, quantify their operational, infrastructural and economic impacts, and explore alternative mitigation strategies. Results : With a greater focus on rainfall, flooding and snowfall, this study highlights their notable impacts causing reductions in transport efficiency, increased maintenance costs and substantial financial losses. Also, it emphasizes the role of advanced technologies, resilient infrastructure, and adaptive policy frameworks as critical enablers for enhancing sector resilience while simultaneously formulating a robust roadmap for cities and companies with actions ranging from direct operational adjustments to long-term transformational changes in policy and infrastructure. Conclusions : This work underscores the importance of using a data-driven approach to safeguard transport and logistics systems against evolving climate risks contributing to the broader goal of sustainable urban resilience and operational continuity.

Suggested Citation

  • Dimos Touloumidis & Michael Madas & Vasileios Zeimpekis & Georgia Ayfantopoulou, 2025. "Weather-Related Disruptions in Transportation and Logistics: A Systematic Literature Review and a Policy Implementation Roadmap," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-28, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlogis:v:9:y:2025:i:1:p:32-:d:1595198
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Claus Doll & Christian Trinks & Norbert Sedlacek & Verena Pelikan & Tina Comes & Frank Schultmann, 2014. "Adapting rail and road networks to weather extremes: case studies for southern Germany and Austria," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 72(1), pages 63-85, May.
    2. Liang Jia & Saini Yang & Weiping Wang & Xinlong Zhang, 2022. "Impact analysis of highways in China under future extreme precipitation," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 110(2), pages 1097-1113, January.
    3. S. Michaelides & P. Leviäkangas & C. Doll & C. Heyndrickx, 2014. "Foreward: EU-funded projects on extreme and high-impact weather challenging European transport systems," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 72(1), pages 5-22, May.
    4. Liang, Chen & Zhu, Minghao & Lee, Peter K.C. & Cheng, T.C.E. & Yeung, Andy C.L., 2024. "Combating extreme weather through operations management: Evidence from a natural experiment in China," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
    5. Bibi Ibrahim & Luis Rabelo & Alfonso T. Sarmiento & Edgar Gutierrez-Franco, 2023. "A Holistic Approach to Power Systems Using Innovative Machine Learning and System Dynamics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-29, July.
    6. Claus Doll & Stefan Klug & Riccardo Enei, 2014. "Large and small numbers: options for quantifying the costs of extremes on transport now and in 40 years," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 72(1), pages 211-239, May.
    7. Sarah Greenham & Robin Workman & Kevin McPherson & Emma Ferranti & Rachel Fisher & Stephen Mills & Roger Street & John Dora & Andrew Quinn & Clive Roberts, 2023. "Are transport networks in low-income countries prepared for climate change? Barriers to preparing for climate change in Africa and South Asia," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 28(8), pages 1-22, December.
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