Critical infrastructure (CI) refers to the vital nature of certain types of infrastructure in providing key services to societies. Transportation and communication systems, water and power lines, as well as public institutions are categorized as “critical” because of their crucial role in the smooth functioning of a society. Transport infrastructure in turn consists of land, sea and air transport networks, which allow movement of people and circulation of goods. The criticality of transport infrastructure is further illustrated by the interdependencies it creates and the cascading effect that can be produced in the event a threat to transport sector materializes.
CORTE, together with technical experts from academia and industry, works directly to address vulnerabilities and counter threats to transport infrastructure. By implementing projects such as PRECINT, HERON, PANOPTIS, STAR-TRANS and CYSPA, CORTE is contributing to the development of innovative and data driven solutions that can improve identification of risks and protect transport infrastructure from a range of man-made as well as natural hazards.
PANOPTIS aims at increasing resilience of the road infrastructures under unfavourable conditions, such as extreme weather, landslides, and earthquakes. The project develops an application that combines climate change scenarios with simulation tools and actual data. CORTE is part of a wide consortium led by Airbus SAS and coordinates the activities related to exploitation and development of a business plan.
HERON aims to develop an integrated automated system for maintenance and upgrading roadworks, such as sealing cracks, patching potholes, asphalt rejuvenation and painting markings. The system will also support the pre/post-intervention phase, including visual inspections and dispensing and removing traffic cones in an automated and controlled manner. As part of a consortium led by the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS) of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), CORTE works together with a range of technical partners, focusing on the identification of user requirements and leading the work related to high-impact communication and dissemination activities.
PRECINCT aims to enhance resilience of critical infrastructure to cascading cyberphysical threats, with a focus on district or regional protection. The project connects private and public CI stakeholders in a geographical area to a common cyber-physical security management approach which can be replicated for a safer Europe.
