Accessibility of medical services following an earthquake: A case study of traffic and economic aspects affecting the Istanbul roadway

For many years, researchers have been warning that Istanbul will encounter a devastating earthquake in the very near future, which is likely to cause extensive damage to buildings, bridges and roads. In order to be able to take substantial precautions and manage any disaster in the best way possible, analyses are required not only of the expected structural damage, but also of the accessibility of the road network in such an event. This study presents an analysis of the accessibility of medical services following the expected earthquake, based on the damage possibilities of buildings and bridges, using the HAZTURK software. This paper also displays the changes in traffic flow in the case of road blockages. Other outcomes of this study include cost-benefit analyses of both retrofitted and non-retrofitted bridges in Istanbul. Each analysis has been performed based on the various phases of emergency management, making the study beneficial to emergency managers and transportation planners developing essential strategies and policies for before, during and after an earthquake.