Spatial Assessment of Road Network Susceptibility to Rainwater Flooding Using GIS and AHP: An Applied Study on the El-Baifi Depression in the Municipality of Tajoura – Libya

Abstract

This study aims to assess the risk of rainwater flooding on the road network in the El-Baifi depression, located within the Municipality of Tajoura, Libya, utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The study relies on four primary spatial criteria: elevation, slope, flow accumulation, and land use. These criteria were processed and spatially reclassified, and their relative weights were determined using the AHP method. They were then integrated within a GIS environment to produce a spatial map illustrating flooding risk levels. The methodology demonstrated its capability to identify areas most susceptible to rainwater accumulation and flooding, particularly in low-lying sections with limited drainage, thereby helping locate the most vulnerable sites. This study provides a spatial baseline that can support urban planning, stormwater management, the enhancement of road network efficiency, and the mitigation of flooding risks.