UTC 2022 Funding - Cycle 1 Research Projects

Project No.: CY1-TAMU-OU-03
Title: Risk-Based Assessment of System-Wide Vulnerability and Interdependency of Transportation Infrastructure Networks under Extreme Weather Conditions
Performing Institution: Texas A&M University and University of Oklahoma
Principal Investigator: Maria Koliou, Texas A&M University; Arif Sadri, University of Oklahoma
Start and Anticipated Completion Dates: 09/01/2023-08/31/2024
Abstract: Synergistic Project Scope (TAMU/OU): Transportation networks comprise components such as bridges and roadways, which are made up of different subcomponents such as decks, girders, abutments, piles, embankments, and pavements. Many of these components are designed to withstand natural hazards expected with a given probability of recurrence. Given that transportation networks are often impacted by changing conditions and disruptions in the face of changing weather patterns and societal expectations, it is important to prioritize our infrastructure improvements to provide the greatest enhancement to system resilience. Assessing the impacts of system-wide vulnerabilities and interdependencies is critical to prioritizing infrastructure enhancement for optimum system performance. This project will develop a framework based on network science theories and risk-based reliability analysis to account for the following: (1) the relative importance of system components; and (2) the interconnectedness of components and sub-components. While the major focus of the TAMU team will be on hurricanes in coastal regions, the OU team will consider inland flooding, creating a synergy between the lead institutions in looking at diverse weather extremes in the USDOT Region 6.

Individual Scope of Work (TAMU): Transportation infrastructure networks are frequently impacted by changing conditions (e.g., deterioration) and disruptions (e.g., natural hazards – hurricanes having an increased frequency in the Southern United States) and can result in reduced accessibility, delays, and economic losses. In this project, the TAMU research team will address this challenge by developing a risk-based reliability analysis framework for assessing and enhancing the resilience of bridge infrastructure networks in selected coastal regions in Texas susceptible to hurricane loads. This framework will be used as a tool for state DOTs across the country to optimize and prioritize investments while ensuring that the transportation system can absorb shocks, adapt to changing conditions, and rapidly recover from disruptions (e.g., hurricane occurrence). Specific tasks of this project will be focused on the following: (1) defining resilience goals and targets for representative transportation networks; (2) characterizing disruption scenarios (including flood due to hurricane occurrence, bridge deterioration due to aging); (3) estimating consequences (including economic losses, downtime, travel delay, loss of accessibility); and (4) proposing optimal solutions for potential improvements (including maintenance and mitigation actions).

Individual Scope of Work (OU): Transportation infrastructure systems critically interact with other physical systems to ensure regular functioning and operations in supporting safe, multimodal mobility for people and goods. For example, locations at which stormwater networks intersect with roads and bridges may be subject to frequent flooding. As such, understanding interdependencies and assessing their impact is essential to enhance serviceability i.e., performance and resilience of transportation networks. The research team at OU will develop a new framework of interdependency modeling for Region 6 based on network science theories, sources of uncertainties, critical interaction rules, and guidelines for implementation. The proposed framework is based on topological credentials (i.e., the rank of relative importance) of network components (such as roads, bridges, and pavements) that carry significant implications as it is critical to identify components that contribute the most to the overall network performance. For transportation networks, critical components (roads, bridges, intersections) may become inaccessible to adjacent traffic due to external disruptions (e.g., inland flooding) that significantly reduce the level of service. The goal is to enhance the resiliency (i.e., improved robustness and/or rapidity) of transportation networks in Region 6 based on the topological credentials of road network components as well as systematic design (i.e., lane width, pavement thickness) and/or operational (i.e., one way vs. two-way traffic) interventions made on critical components. Specific tasks include the following: (1) develop an interdependency and vulnerability analysis framework for road and stormwater networks for inland flooding; (2) obtain accurate road and stormwater network data for the study area and identify the scale and scope of the network to be inspected; (3) perform multi-layer network experiments and analyses; (4) compilation of results and reporting.
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