A Simulation-Based Approach to the Characterisation of Urban Traffic Network Vulnerability

This research employs modeling methodologies to obtain a better understanding of urban traffic network vulnerability. A methodological framework is presented, forming the basis for investigating critical dimensions affecting vulnerability. The focus is on the Central Business District (CBD) network type. The three dimensions; Centrality, Flowability, and Mobility are analyzed through the employment of traffic models. Mesoscopic and microscopic simulations are performed to obtain required data, then used for the construction of the Combined Vulnerability Index (CVI), representing the network friability. Next, the unique links making up the network are closed sequentially, and simulations are carried out for each scenario in order to obtain the link network influence for each of the links. The (% Effect) value is then obtained from the difference in traffic flow across the network, and multiplied by the CVI to obtain the adjusted vulnerability index (ACVI). The methodology is then applied to the Ottawa network.