Methodology to Assess the Level of Service and Resilience of Rural Roads in Italian Seismic Zones: Challenges and Strategies for Improvement

This study investigates the level of service (LOS) and level of resilience (LOR) of rural road transport infrastructures in Italian seismic zones, focusing on their unique vulnerabilities and the implications for local populations. Italy’s rural road network, characterized by its age and issues associated, faces significant challenges, especially during and after extreme events like seismic events, landslides, floodings and others. High travel times on these roads are exacerbated by frequent closures due to these extreme events induced damages, severely impacting accessibility. This research applies a new methodology to analyse the current LOS and LOR, highlighting the extended travel times and the roads’ inability to efficiently accommodate traffic flow as during normal conditions. Additionally, the study assesses the LOR, considering the duration and impact of road closures on community access to essential services, such as hospitals and workplaces. Using a combination of historical records, and resilience metrics, the study identifies critical weaknesses in the rural road network’s response and recovery capabilities.