PSI - Issue 78

Guerino Liberatore et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 78 (2026) 1071–1078

1072

1. Introduction The management of road infrastructure in emergency contexts represents a complex and critical challenge, especially in a country like Italy, which is highly exposed to seismic risk. The road network is not only extensive and articulated but also characterized by an aging infrastructure heritage and fragmented administrative responsibilities (Capacci et al., 2022; Fattorini et al., 2023). In this context, the timeliness and effectiveness of emergency interventions largely depend on the availability of real-time, reliable information on the condition of road assets (Artese and Achilli, 2019; Del Carlo et al., 2025; Mebarki et al., 2025). This paper proposes an innovative governance model based on digital tools and objective methodologies, enabling a more efficient and effective response in the event of an earthquake. The approach aims to overcome current operational practices - primarily centered on epicentral parameters - in favor of a predictive and dynamic methodology. 2. Seismic safety of road infrastructures In recent decades, the safety of road infrastructure has garnered increasing global attention. While the United States employs systematic cataloging like the National Bridge Inventory (Jaiswal et al., 2022) and Japan boasts an advanced seismic monitoring culture (Fujino et al., 2019; Fujino and Siringoringo, 2013). Europe's response has often been reactive, with regulatory changes typically following major disasters. Italy, in particular, experienced a turning point after the Morandi Bridge collapse, leading to new guidelines for bridges and tunnels (Carigi et al., 2024; Renzi et al., 2023; Salvatore et al., 2024). However, the effectiveness of these guidelines remains limited without real-time data on infrastructure conditions. Bridges, due to their structural simplicity, are notably vulnerable to seismic events, as evidenced by the 1994 Northridge earthquake, which caused the collapse of several older structures. Tunnels, while generally more resilient than surface structures (e.g., bridges, overpasses), can still suffer significant damage, often due to surrounding soil deformation rather than inertial forces, as seen with the Daikai subway station in Kobe. Post earthquake inspections frequently reveal recurring issues in bridges, such as inadequate seismic restrainers, insufficient bearing seat lengths, faulty expansion joints, and poor construction details. Recognizing these vulnerabilities is crucial for developing effective inspection and retrofitting strategies. 3. Emergency management of road infrastructure in emergency contexts The management of road infrastructure during emergencies is vital to enable rapid response, reduce economic losses, and ensure the movement of emergency services and supplies. It requires well-coordinated planning, quick damage assessments, and optimized recovery strategies. In the U.S., FEMA plays a leading role, working with the Department of Transportation (DOT) under Emergency Support Function (ESF) #1 – Transportation. FEMA assists in managing transportation infrastructure and identifying alternative transport solutions during emergencies. It also provides detailed planning resources for local governments, including evacuation and sheltering guidelines. A notable feature of the U.S. model is the emphasis on public-private partnerships (P3s) and FEMA’s Office of Business, I ndustry, and Infrastructure Integration (OB3I), which focuses on stabilizing critical infrastructure and preventing cascading failures. Japan’s emergency management is shaped by its high exposure to natural disasters. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) are key actors. JMA provides exclusive weather and tsunami warnings, while MLIT oversees seismic resilience measures on national roads. Japan prioritizes rapid reopening of key routes, such as after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake. Dedicated communication systems and live monitoring support operations. Events like the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake revealed the importance of reinforcing overpasses to ensure emergency vehicle access, even when basic structural resilience is already in place. Japan’s approach stresses not only structural survival but fast functional recovery. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism (EUCPM), active since 2001, promotes disaster prevention and coordinated response across member states and partners. The Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) operates 24/7 to mobilize aid and gather geospatial data through the Copernicus service. While civil protection remains a national