Weather-Related Risk Assessment of Canadian Transcontinental Freight Railway: Case Study of Saskatchewan

Railway transport is the backbone of Canada’s supply chain, valued for its reliability and safety despite its inherent complexity, which brings a variety of associated risks. Considering Canada’s climate, analyzing weather-related risks in the railway network is valuable for decision-makers in transportation, especially in preparation for cold seasons and railway network development. In this study, a comprehensive spatial analysis using ArcMap was applied to identifying Saskatchewan’s hotspots and vulnerable geographical areas for the railway network in terms of minimum temperature, rain, and snow, which are the major weather-related risk factors in this province. Risk maps were generated for each factor mentioned, which demonstrate hotspots and hazardous areas that require more attention and planning to maintain the continuity of the supply chain. These results can be used to enhance safety, reduce service disruptions, and ensure the smooth operation of the railway network.