Game-theoretic modeling of road networks vulnerability and resilience: a systematic literature review

Bashir, Tahseen; Bell, Micheal G. H.; Geers, Glenn; Bergantino, Angela Stefania; Pagliara, Francesca · 2026 · DOAJ

DOI: 10.1186/s12544-026-00799-0

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Summary

This systematic literature review addresses the growing concern regarding the vulnerability and resilience of road networks, which are increasingly exposed to disruptions from natural hazards, operational failures, and security threats. The authors identify a critical gap in existing research: while game theory has been widely used to model strategic interactions in transportation, the literature remains conceptually and methodologically fragmented. There is no consolidated analytical structure to classify diverse game-theoretic models, trace their evolution from static to dynamic frameworks, or synthesize their theoretical assumptions and practical implications. Consequently, the study aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of game-theoretic approaches applied to road network vulnerability and resilience over the period 1994–2024. To achieve this, the authors conducted a systematic literature review using the Web of Science Core Collection. They employed a Boolean search query combining keywords such as “Game Theory,” “Road Network,” “Vulnerability,” and “Resilience.” After applying strict inclusion and exclusion criteria—including limiting results to peer-reviewed articles in transportation and civil engineering categories and filtering for English-language publications—the final bibliometric database comprised 260 records. A subset of 54 papers underwent detailed qualitative assessment. The analysis utilized the Bibliometrix R package to examine publication trends, influential sources, authors, and international collaboration patterns, as well as to map the conceptual structure of the field through co-occurrence analysis. The results reveal a steady increase in research interest, with an average annual growth rate of 9.19% over the three-decade period, likely driven by heightened concerns about climate change and extreme events. *Transportation Research Part E* was identified as the most prolific source, followed by IEEE Transactions journals. Co-occurrence analysis highlighted the central role of game theory in connecting themes such as vulnerability, resilience, critical infrastructure, and risk. The qualitative synthesis categorized models into non-cooperative routing games, attacker-defender frameworks, and dynamic extensions. The review found that early static models have evolved into more complex dynamic and hybrid approaches that incorporate time-dependent traffic patterns and machine learning techniques. Key findings emphasize that resilience is determined not just by network topology but by the strategic behavioral responses of users and operators under disruption. The significance of this study lies in its provision of a structured taxonomy for game-theoretic modeling in transportation, offering a foundation for future research and policy development. The authors conclude that game-theoretic approaches are valuable for advancing resilience-oriented transport planning by explicitly modeling incentives and equilibrium outcomes among multiple decision-makers. The review identifies remaining limitations, particularly regarding the dynamism of models, the integration of emerging data-driven techniques, and the need for greater empirical validation. By clarifying dominant modeling frameworks and unresolved methodological challenges, the paper guides researchers toward developing more robust, sustainable, and adaptive road network systems.

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