Integrated Analysis of Rockfalls and Floods in the Jiului Gorge, Romania: Impacts on Road and Rail Traffic

Abstract

This study examines the impact of rockfalls and floods on road and rail traffic in the Jiului Gorge, Romania, a critical transportation corridor. Using Sentinel-1 radar imagery processed through ESA SNAP and ArcGIS Pro, alongside traffic detection facilitated by YOLO models, we assessed susceptibility to both rockfalls and floods. The primary aim was to enhance public safety for traffic participants by providing accurate hazard mapping. Our study focuses on the area from Bumbești-Jiu to Petroșani, traversing the Southern Carpathians. The results demonstrate the utility of integrating remote sensing with machine learning to improve hazard management and inform more effective traffic planning. These findings contribute to safer, more resilient infrastructure in areas vulnerable to natural hazards.