Abstract
Ensuring the resilience of urban road networks is essential for public safety and economic stability, especially in cities like Los Angeles that face frequent natural hazards, such as earthquakes, wildfires, and flooding. When making capital investments in such environments, it is equally important to consider fairness in both the decision-making process and its outcomes. In this research study, the research team developed a data-driven framework and implemented it using a web-based software tool to identify priority road segments for investment. To do this, the researchers rated individual roads on several key attributes, including the importance of the road in the network, level of physical deterioration, and hazard risks such as steep slopes or flood-prone areas. The team complemented publicly available data on roads and their attributes with fine-grained “hyperlocal” geospatial information from sensors. Finally, the researchers considered equity by applying socioeconomic indicators of roadway users, which prioritizes roadway segments most likely to benefit vulnerable communities. The research team applied this tool to the Hillsides area of Los Angeles. The result is a comprehensive framework and a powerful tool for guiding infrastructure improvements that are both equitable and resilient.
