Evaluation of ground conditions and vehicle-induced vibration using Spatio-geophysical approach for the Nilgiris landslide transportation interaction corridor, Western Ghats, India

The Landslide–Transport Interaction Corridor describes areas where road development and usage affect slope stability and are susceptible to disruption by landslide activity. Roads and highways traversing unstable slopes are not only vulnerable to damage, but also contribute to slope destabilization through built-up structures, surface runoff, excavation, and vibration. In the Nilgiris, the climatic and geological conditions of the Western Ghats predispose slopes to failure, while vehicle-induced vibrations and improper road construction further aggravate this risk. This study focuses on assessing ground conditions using a Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) and quantifying vehicle-induced vibrations through a vibration monitoring system. The results indicate the presence of substantial disintegrated materials as overburden covers in the region, making slopes more susceptible to saturation and allowing vibrations to propagate without attenuation. The findings from this study serve as an important factor in highlighting that prolonged vehicle-induced vibrations on landslide susceptible slopes can accelerate instability over time.