PSI - Issue 84

Marco Bisti et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 84 (2026) 733–740

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practices often lack predictive capabilities, fail to anticipate emerging hazards, and inadequately leverage leading indicators such as data derived from low-consequence events, specifically Near-Misses (Agnusdei et al., 2023). This study aims to bridge this crucial gap. The primary objective is to develop and validate an innovative methodology that integrates traditional gap analysis with the specific maturity evaluation tool proposed by ANSFISA (National Agency for the Safety of Railways and Road and Motorway Infrastructures) (De Bartolomeo et al., 2023). This combined approach seeks to provide a robust, measurable, and specific assessment of the Italian SMS maturity level concerning the operational changes induced by construction sites. To address the identified systemic deficiencies — particularly the lack of predictive analysis and the deficit in real time monitoring — the paper introduces the Smart Flow model. This technological solution represents a paradigm shift, evolving toward a proactive and resilience-based safety governance model. The model leverages cutting-edge technologies (Vehicle-to-Everything or V2X systems, smart sensors, predictive analytics, and cooperative systems) to transform reactive oversight into a real-time decision-making framework, significantly enhancing organizational resilience during critical infrastructure modifications (Ewertowski et al., 2024). In conclusion, this research offers a multi-faceted contribution to the literature. First, it provides an innovative methodological framework for the systematic evaluation of SMS maturity in the critical and under-researched context of change management on highway construction sites. Second, it enriches the broader safety literature by demonstrating how a technological model can assess and improve operational readiness (Safe System readiness) through the maturity lens, connecting the work to safety culture and management system advancements (Fosdick et al., 2024; Imanudin, 2025). Finally, through the demonstration of the Smart Flow model, the study proposes a concrete and advanced solution for elevating SMS to higher, predictive, and resilient maturity levels. The application on simulated cases within the Italian motorway network demonstrates how the joint use of analytical tools allows for the structuring of measurable improvement plans aligned with the objectives of the SGS-ISA, significantly enhancing safety performance. 2. The Safety Management System (SMS) according to ANSFISA The evolution of Safety Management Systems (SMS) in the infrastructure sector has been profoundly influenced by earlier experiences in the highly regulated aviation and railway domains. Historically, a significant turning point was the 2004 meeting of the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) Group of Aerodrome Safety Regulators in Rome, which introduced the "Total Aviation System" approach. Before this, diverse management systems led to communication difficulties and interpretive inconsistencies among service providers. This realization led the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to publish the first edition of the Safety Management Manual in 2006, aiming to create a common base for the SMS of air traffic service providers, airport infrastructure managers, and carriers (ICAO, 2013). Further standardization came with ICAO Annex 19 in 2013, creating a single, coherent rule for SMS application (ICAO, 2013). Reflecting this trend, the Italian regulatory framework for road safety is highly structured, revolving around the Safety Management System, a voluntary requirement for Infrastructure Managers (IMs) and concessionaires (see Fig.1). This system is enforced and overseen by ANSFISA (National Agency for the Safety of Railways and Road and Highway Infrastructures), an agency established in 2018 (following the Morandi bridge collapse) and operational since November 2020. ANSFISA promotes and oversees safety across railways, roads, highways, and fixed installations, using a modern, proactive approach based on IMs’ safety management systems (SMS), maintenance, and risk control. A key component of the SGS-ISA is the systematic management of operational change, particularly concerning construction sites, which introduces significant hazards. ANSFISA has developed a specific evaluation tool to assess the maturity level of these SMSs, ensuring that IMs transition from purely reactive safety measures to proactive, data-driven governance. The current evolution of the SGS demands several fundamental shifts to achieve a higher state of maturity, including: the optimization of processes through digital technologies, where real-time monitoring systems, performance indicator dashboards, and digital audit platforms enhance the timeliness and reliability of risk control; the adoption of predictive and cooperative tools, which integrate historical data, risk models, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cooperative systems (e.g., V2X - Vehicle-to-Everything) to move from