Integrated risk-assessment framework for municipal infrastructure

Decision-makers frequently argue that municipal infrastructure is at risk. Given the current state of risk for infrastructure, municipalities face challenging decisions to plan the integrated repair/renewal of road, water, and sewer (RWS) networks. The research presented in this article identifies a methodology and framework that facilitates decision-making processes used during corridor rehabilitation project planning. A risk-based decision-making approach is developed to aid integrating repair/renewal of RWS assets. The risk model was developed using a mixed Delphi-Analytical Hierarchy Process approach. The impacts of four main consequences of failure with eighteen subfactors were considered. The RWS networks indices were amalgamated and grouped into an overall integrated risk index using K-means Clustering technique. Data provided by the City of Guelph was used in a case study in order to demonstrate the model features. Results show that pipe/road size and accessibility factors had the highest impact on the integrated risk index. The developed models can be used by researchers and practitioners (municipal engineers and consultants) to prioritize corridor rehabilitation projects thereby easing the challenge faced by stakeholders regarding the future of municipal infrastructure.