Road Network Layout Planning based on Evaluation of Connectivity and Asset Criticality

State of the art research in ensuring transport infrastructure resilience focuses on adopting a network perspective. However, there is no comprehensive, widespread method for evaluating connectivity and proposing alternative routes to improve it. Presented herein is a framework that: assesses road network connectivity, using a “closeness” measure and focusing on routes passing by the vulnerable asset of bridges; and proposes the development of optimal alternative routes, using a genetic algorithm. The results showed a significant improvement of network connectivity and the potential of the method to serve as the basis for updated transport infrastructure planning practices.
H2020 Programme MG7-1-2017 Resilience to extreme (natural and man-made) events, under Grant [769255] ‘‘GIS-based infrastructure management system for optimized response to extreme events of terrestrial transport networks (SAFEWAY)’’.