Quantifying the vulnerability of road networks to flood-induced closures using traffic simulation

Abstract

Disruptions in road networks can significantly impact traffic flow, necessitating the identification and mitigation of vulnerable components. This study presents a methodology to assess the vulnerability and robustness of road networks, addressing the research gap in comprehensive approaches that effectively evaluate both controlled intersections and uncontrolled/free-flow highway segments. The proposed framework employs traffic simulation tools to model road closures within designated study areas, focusing on networks in Qatar. Performance measures such as average control delay and volume to capacity ratios are utilized to calculate vulnerability indices for network components. The two-pronged approach quantifies the impact of simulated closures at both the component and network levels, revealing critical intersections and road segments that markedly affect network performance during disruptions. The findings contribute to the field by providing transportation engineers with an effective quantitative tool to detect vulnerabilities in their road network, guiding design plans and actions to mitigate the potential harmful impacts of disruptive events on transportation infrastructure. The methodology's scalability ensures its applicability to various operational contexts, offering significant insights for transportation planning and infrastructure resilience. By establishing a comprehensive vulnerability analysis framework, this study enhances the understanding and management of road network vulnerabilities in complex urban environments. Further research on integrating dynamic traffic assignment and real-time data is recommended to further enhance the predictive accuracy and applicability of the proposed framework, ultimately improving transportation infrastructure resilience.