Introduction. The development of transport infrastructure in Ukraine’s mountainous regions faces the problem of active landslide processes, which have a significant impact on the stability of road networks.
Problem statement. A significant proportion of roads in the Carpathians pass through areas of increased geological risk. Construction work on roads can disrupt the natural stability of slopes (through cutting or embankments), alter drainage systems and cause moisture to accumulate. At the same time, there is insufficient spatial analysis of the relative location of landslides and the road network, which complicates risk assessment.
Objective. The aim is to study the spatial location of landslides in relation to roads using GIS methods, to categorise landslides by their vertical position and to evaluate their impact on road infrastructure.
Materials and methods. Digital elevation model (DEM) data and vector layers of landslides and motorways were used for the Verkhovyna and Kosiv districts of the Ivano-Frankivsk region. A spatial analysis was performed in QGIS to determine the direction and nature of landslide hazards, calculating the minimum distance to the road and the difference in absolute heights between the landslide body and the road surface.
Results. A total of 467 landslides were analysed. Three groups were identified: Landslides below the road (202 cases): average distance to the road: 206.8 m. Landslides at road level (29 cases): average distance: 20.1 m. Landslides above the road (236 cases): average distance: 169.5 m; average height difference: 34.1 m. The most dangerous landslides are those above the road, as they can block transport routes. Landslides below the road can cause slope erosion and undercutting, reducing slope stability. Landslides at road level reflect deformations on old landslide bodies and can manifest as cracks or subsidence of the road surface.
Conclusions. A GIS analysis of landslides identified three groups based on their relative height. The most dangerous landslides are located above the road (50.5 %), while those below the road pose erosion risks and those at road level indicate unstable slopes. Systematic GIS monitoring is recommended for infrastructure management.
