Identification and Categorization of Factors Affecting Duration of Post-Disaster Reconstruction of Interdependent Transportation Systems

Disaster events such as hurricanes commonly generate considerable challenges for all the affected communities and people. The reconstruction of transportation systems plays a critical role in returning a community to its pre-event state. Thus, this study aimed to determine and categorize the long-term factors affecting post-disaster reconstruction of transportation interdependent systems. Furthermore, the relationships and interactions of the identified factors and categories were modeled and analyzed. The results demonstrated that project prioritization, belonging to the planning category, is one of the main factors affecting duration of post-disaster reconstruction of transportation networks (PRT). It was also concluded from the results that with increased proper documentation, the possibility of efficient coordination would also increase, the probability of rework issuance might decrease, and the probability of schedule delays would decrease. Moreover, the results revealed that centralizing the information pertaining to the reconstruction procedure could be beneficial for preventing reworks and/or man-made issues. The findings of this study will help decision-makers and program managers consider key factors in post-disaster reconstruction of transportation network, and adopt/implement strategies that will prevent undue delays in the restoration of the damaged infrastructures.