GIS aided vulnerability assessment for roads

Abstract

Road networks are vulnerable to natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and forest fires which can adversely affect the travel on the network. However, not all road links equally affect the travel conditions in a given network; typically some links are more critical to the network functioning than the others. The first stage of study involves the investigation of geological conditions. Image classification used for extracting information classes from ‘Geological Map of Istanbul area’ image file. The resulting raster layer used to create thematic map. A reclassification was performed for lithologic types. The second stage involves analyzing topological situation. A slope map prepared and classified according to percentage of slope values. The third phase is the analysis and interpretation of the accumulated data to establish suitable and applicable road vulnerability scores. The information in the source data for each vulnerability factor are classified into three different vulnerability scores: +2 (considerably increases vulnerability), +1 (increases vulnerability) and 0 (does not increase vulnerability) by using a vulnerability score table. The study area was categorized into three different traffic analysis zones as: (1) least favorable area; (2) favorable area; (3) most favorable area. Vulnerability values obtained to measure serviceability of critical links in dense urban road networks and applies them to the case of ‘Beyoğlu’ region. Thematic layers were prepared using the Geographic Information System (GIS), and they were then combined to produce the serviceability of road links in the ‘Beyoğlu’ region. Consequently, A site specific vulnerability index is proposed, considering the serviceability of road links. A conceptual flowchart of the GIS processing steps taken to obtain the vulnerability index is illustrated.