PSI - Issue 84

Galileo Tamasi et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 84 (2026) 725–732

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1. Introduction The management and maintenance of high-speed road infrastructure represent one of the most significant challenges for contemporary transportation engineering. As global assets — comprising bridges, viaducts, and tunnels — reach critical stages of their design life, the necessity for extensive rehabilitation is paramount. However, the implementation of roadwork zones, especially in sensitive environments like tunnels (De La Grennelais et al., 2024; Silvestri et al., 2024), introduces severe disruptions to traffic equilibrium. These disruptions are characterized by a drastic reduction in road capacity, leading to non-recurring congestion and significant socio-economic losses (Afshar and Azadivar, 1992; Astarita et al., 2014). The operational impact of lane closures is primarily governed by the formation of bottlenecks and the resulting shockwaves that propagate upstream, increasing travel time and delay (Amini et al., 2017; Gou et al., 2009; Jeihani et al., 2015). Central to this phenomenon is the "capacity drop" where the outflow from a congested work zone is significantly lower than its theoretical maximum (Papageorgiou et al., 2008; Sainct et al., 2017). To quantify these effects, researchers have increasingly relied on high-fidelity microscopic simulation tools, with PTV VISSIM serving as the industry standard for modeling complex driving behaviors and network interactions (Haque et al., 2023; Jehn and Turochy, 2019; Schnell et al., 2002). A critical factor in work zone performance is the merging strategy adopted by drivers. The debate between "Early Merge" and "Late Merge" (or "Zipper Merge") remains central to optimizing throughput and energy efficiency (Gundana et al., 2018; Idewu et al., 2020). Inefficient merging not only degrades flow but also compromises safety, increasing the risk of rear-end and sideswipe collisions (Talebpour et al., 2012; Wang et al., 2022). Furthermore, the environmental footprint of these zones is a growing concern, as stop-and-go conditions lead to higher carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption (Wang et al., 2024; Yan et al., 2022). To mitigate these impacts, advanced traffic management systems (ATMS) have been proposed, including Variable Speed Limits (VSL) and coordinated ramp metering to stabilize flow and harmonize speeds (Lee and Park, 2013; Lu et al., 2011; Seliman et al., 2020). The integration of real-time data from cellular signaling, microwave sensors, and license plate recognition (LPR) cameras has further enhanced the accuracy of dynamic traffic assignment (DTA) and impact assessment (Chen et al., 2016; Skovajsa et al., 2022). Moreover, optimal scheduling of maintenance activities - using Genetic Algorithms (GA) and multi-objective optimization - is essential to balance rehabilitation needs with network-level road user costs (Cheu et al., 2004; Lee and Choi, 2006; Ma et al., 2004; Vadakpat et al., 2000). The future of work zone management lies in the digital transformation of the traffic stream. The emergence of Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) and Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) offers unprecedented opportunities for proactive control (Agriesti et al., 2021; Kim et al., 2024; Singh et al., 2024). By leveraging real-time communication, strategies such as "virtual emergency lanes" for incident response (Wang et al., 2025) and Deep Reinforcement Learning for proactive management (Farrag, 2023) can be implemented. Collectively, these studies underscore the need for an integrated approach that combines structural engineering, behavioral psychology, and advanced computational modeling to address the complex dynamics of modern highway work zones. Building upon these foundations, this study proposes an integrated technical approach aimed at operationalizing network resilience, focusing on the strategic opportunity to leverage the support of the road network external to the highway system. The methodology emphasizes evaluating, on a case-by-case basis, the effective traffic capacity that can be allocated to national and provincial roads during planned disruptions. By identifying optimal time windows for executing works through historical analyses of traffic volumes and weather conditions, the research employs high fidelity traffic simulations to evaluate multiple scenarios and optimize alternative mobility plans. Recognizing that technical efficiency must be paired with social legitimacy, a special focus is placed on stakeholder engagement as a strategic lever. This fosters the social acceptance of closures through structured dialogue with citizens, local authorities, and road users, transforming work zone management from a technical imposition into a shared territorial strategy. Crucially, these activities are integrated with change management tools and methodologies adopted within the Ansfisa safety management system. This framework supports the transition towards a new operational paradigm in which work zone planning coexists with user and worker safety as well as operational continuity. By aligning advanced data-driven modeling with institutional safety protocols, this work aims to reinforce the role of the highway operator as a proactive and responsible actor within the national mobility system.