A Risk-Based Methodology for Assessing the Seismic Performance of Highway Systems

Keywords: Seismic risk assessment.  Highways.  Network analysis.  Loss estimation

Abstract: Post-earthquake function-ality of highway networks depends on such characteristics  as network configuration, location of individual components within the overall system and  specific links and subsystems, and the locations, redundancy, and traffic capacities of the links between key origins and destinations within the system. Consideration of the  importance of each component to the overall system performance can provide a rational basis for establishing seismic strengthening priorities, defining seismic design strengthening criteria, effecting emergency lifeline route planning, estimating economic impact due to component or system-wide damage.  It can also provide real-time information to emergency response efforts. The procedures contained here report provide a basis for addressing the highway system seismic performance issues. They incorporate data and methodologies pertaining  to engineering issues,  repair and reconstruction, system network risk analysis, and socioeconomic considerations for impacts resulting from system damage.  The produces outlined  also provide a mechanism to estimate system-wide direct losses and indirect losses due to reduced traffic flows and/or increased travel times. The programming of these methodologies into a full, public-domain software package is currently underway.