Efficiency Assessment of Urban Road Networks Connecting Critical Node Pairs under Seismic Hazard

Andrea Miano, Marco Civera (), Fabrizio Aloschi, Valerio De Biagi, Bernardino Chiaia, Fulvio Parisi and Andrea Prota
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Andrea Miano: Department of Engineering, Telematic University Pegaso, Centro Direzionale Isola F2, 80143 Napoli, Italy
Marco Civera: Department of Structural, Building and Geotechnical Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
Fabrizio Aloschi: Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Claudio 21, 80125 Naples, Italy
Valerio De Biagi: Department of Structural, Building and Geotechnical Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
Bernardino Chiaia: Department of Structural, Building and Geotechnical Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
Fulvio Parisi: Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Claudio 21, 80125 Naples, Italy
Andrea Prota: Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Claudio 21, 80125 Naples, Italy

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 17, 1-18

Abstract: Building resilient infrastructure is at the core of sustainable development, as evidenced by the UN Sustainable Development Goal 9. In fact, the effective operation of road networks is crucial and strategic for the smooth functioning of a nation’s economy. This is also fundamental from a sustainability perspective, as efficient transportation networks reduce traffic, and thus, their environmental impact. However, road networks are constantly at risk of traffic closure and/or limitations due to a plurality of natural hazards. These environmental stressors, among other factors like aging and degradation of structural materials, negatively affect the disaster resilience of both single components and the system of road networks. However, the estimation of such resilience indices requires a broad multidisciplinary vision. In this work, a framework for application to large road networks is delineated. In the proposed methodology, seismic hazard is considered, and its corresponding impacts on road networks are evaluated. The assessment encompasses not only the road network system (including squares, roads, bridges, and viaducts) but also the buildings that are located in the urban area and interact with the network. In this context, the probability that buildings will suffer seismic-induced collapse and produce partial or total obstruction of roads is considered. This scheme is designed for implementation in different geographical contexts using geo-referenced data that include information about specific risks and alternative rerouting options. The proposed methodology is expected to support the mitigation of functionality loss in road networks after disasters, contributing to both the economic and social dimensions of sustainability. To evaluate the methodology, two case studies focusing specifically on hospital-to-hospital connections were conducted in Naples and Turin, Italy. However, the proposed approach is versatile and can be extended to other critical infrastructures, such as theatres, stadiums, and educational facilities.

Keywords: road networks; network efficiency; critical infrastructures; seismic hazard; earthquake engineering (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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