A RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY FOR CRITICAL TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

Abstract

Infrastructure protection typifies a problem of risk assessment and management in a large-scale system. This study offers a methodological framework to identify, prioritize, assess, and manage risks. It includes the following major considerations: (1) a holistic approach to risk identification; (2) prioritization of a large number of risks or risk scenarios; (3) structured solicitation and effective integration of expert judgment into qualitative and quantitative analyses to supplement limited data availability; (4) extreme and catastrophic event analysis; and (5) use of multiobjective framework to evaluate management options (i.e., analyzing trade-offs among noncommensurate, conflicting objectives such as risk and cost). The methodology was illustrated using five case studies of selected transportation infrastructures in the Commonwealth of Virginia.