Zhao, Hongbo (University of Queensland), Zheng, Zuduo (The University of Queensland)

Spatial Modeling of Copper Cable Theft in Intelligent Transport Systems

Scheduled for presentation during the Regular Session "S06b-Safety, Sensing, and Infrastructure Design for Vulnerable Road Users" (WE-EA-T6), Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 13:50−14:10, Surfers Paradise 3

2025 IEEE 28th International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSC), November 18-21, 2025, Gold Coast, Australia

This information is tentative and subject to change. Compiled on October 19, 2025

Abstract

Recent years have witnessed a notable surge in copper cable theft across transportation systems, posing serious threats to infrastructure safety and significantly increasing replacement and maintenance costs. However, existing research lacks quantitative analysis of the spatial distribution and environmental drivers of such crimes, limiting the development of evidence-based prevention strategies. Drawing on 129 recorded theft incidents in Australia, this study employs the Getis-Ord Gi method to identify spatial hotspots and applies a negative binomial regression model to examine the effects of highway distribution and district-level crime rates on the spatial clustering of traffic copper cable thefts. The results reveal that target accessibility, limited enforcement presence, and repeatable spatial routines collectively contribute to a criminogenic infrastructure environment.