In Sweden, the various transport support systems are strongly interdependent. Dependency analysis makes crisis situations manageable, reduces the risk of serious disruption and thereby reduces the vulnerability of society as a whole, says Maria Bergstrand, an expert in this field at FOI.

“Sweden is highly dependent on the functioning of the transport network. Long distances can be involved and very large quantities of goods are carried. Any disruption of the transport sector would therefore soon lead to widespread consequences for most businesses,” says Maria Bergstrand.

Maria Bergstrand has been involved in a project which has looked at the importance of the transport sector in Sweden. She believes that the transport sector is vulnerable in many different ways since the various means of transport depend heavily on fuel, personnel, electronic communications and a smoothly functioning transport infrastructure.

“The transport sector has strong internal dependencies between the sector’s various segments. If one of these is not working properly it can adversely affect many of society’s other important functions.”

In order to ensure that all the various elements continue to function even in crisis situations, dependency analyses provide a valuable tool. Dependency analyses form a part of the risk and vulnerability analyses carried out at FOI. At FOI there are experts who assist a range of companies and businesses with method and analysis support. Assignments are often received from those who work with overall aspects of crisis management in the transport sector and in the field of continuity planning.

“We also carry out analyses of the materiel involved and make proposals for action to be taken. With the aid of dependency analysis it is possible to reduce the organisation’s vulnerability, improve its ability to handle situations that might arise and thereby make it better prepared in the event of crisis,” says Maria Bergstrand.