System-Based Vulnerability And Resilience Assessment In Mega-Scale Transportation Systems: Towards Data And Model-Driven Methodologies

Disruption of transportation is one of the largest contributors to social and economic losses due to disasters. An essential aspect of regional resilience is the ability of transportation networks to maintain functionality under stress. In the U.S., transportation networks in seismic regions are deemed especially vulnerable because of the poor current condition of a significant portion of their bridges. This vulnerability necessitates a quantified investigation of transportation network perturbation due to anticipated major seismic events as well as the recovery process from such perturbations. This information is crucial for regional planning and policy-making towards enhanced resilience in the long run, and for emergency response during a disaster. In this study, data and modeling needs are identified to advance this research area beyond the boundaries drawn by trade-offs of scale and granularity. A preliminary framework is also presented.