Network Properties for Robust Multilayer Infrastructure Systems: A Percolation Theory Review

TL;DR

This review paper analyzes how percolation theory and various network properties are used to assess the robustness of multilayer infrastructure systems, highlighting current practices, limitations, and future research directions.

Contribution

It systematically reviews literature from 2010 to 2021 on applying percolation theory to multilayer infrastructure networks, emphasizing the need for analyzing multiple properties simultaneously.

Findings

Interdependency strength and communities are the most common network properties.

Most studies use simplified synthetic models rather than real datasets.

Few studies consider realistic attributes like directed links and feedback conditions.

Abstract

Infrastructure systems, such as power, transportation, telecommunication, and water systems, are composed of multiple components which are interconnected and interdependent to produce and distribute essential goods and services. So, the robustness of infrastructure systems to resist disturbances is crucial for the durable performance of modern societies. Multilayer networks have been used to model the multiplicity and interrelation of infrastructure systems and percolation theory is the most common approach to quantify the robustness of such networks. This survey systematically reviews literature published between 2010 and 2021, on applying percolation theory to assess the robustness of infrastructure systems modeled as multilayer networks. We discussed all network properties applied to build infrastructure models. Among all properties, interdependency strength and communities were the most common network property whilst very few studies considered realistic attributes of infrastructure systems such as directed links and feedback conditions. The review highlights that the properties produced approximately similar model outcomes, in terms of detecting improvement or deterioration in the robustness of multilayer infrastructure networks, with few exceptions. Most of the studies focused on highly simpliffied synthetic models rather than models built by real datasets. Thus, this review suggests analyzing multiple properties in a single model to assess whether they boost or weaken the impact of each other. In addition, the effect size of different properties on the robustness of infrastructure systems should be quantiffied. It can support the design and planning of robust infrastructure systems by arranging and prioritizing the most effective properties.