Citation

Zhu J, Liu K, Wang M, Xu W, Liu M, Zheng J. Transp. Res. D Trans. Environ. 2022; 102: e103136.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.trd.2021.103136

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Tropical cyclones (TCs) pose great risks to road infrastructures. However, there are very few studies available that address the vulnerability of roads to TCs; although, such studies are prerequisites for risk assessment. In this study, we used records of road damage from TC events in Hainan Province, China, to construct vulnerability models that quantify the relationship between the road damage level and different TC intensity measures. These measures include cumulative precipitation and the maximum wind speed, as well as their joint effect. We found that the derived vulnerability model of the joint effect of precipitation and wind speed outperforms models constructed with single TC intensity measures. The derived functions show a good fit to the observed data and can provide an accurate estimate of road damage from TCs, as validated by historical damage records. Based on the derived vulnerability curves, we further assessed the risk of road assets in Hainan Province to TCs. The results can provide guidance to road administrations for prioritizing the maintenance and reinforcement of roads, preparing for the possible adverse impacts of TCs on roads, and facilitating decision-making to reduce road disturbances.

Language: en

Keywords

Risk; Roads; Tropical cyclones; Vulnerability functions