Abstract
With the rapid implementation of intelligent transportation systems throughout the nation, the surface transportation system has become dependent on an extensive network of communication and computing devices. It is no longer sufficient to consider the analysis of the transportation network, its communication infrastructure, and its power supply in separation. Given the increased threats to surface transportation networks, it is imperative that such systems be designed not only for safety and efficiency but also for survivability. A case study to assess the survivability of a small urban transportation system is presented. Two different survivability assessment techniques are presented and applied. The first approach provides a qualitative assessment and is based on a survivable systems analysis modified for critical infrastructures. The second technique provides a quantitative assessment of network survivability using a multilayered graph-based approach. Three layers of critical infrastructure in a transportation system are analyzed: power, information, and physical. Interactions within layers and between layers are identified, and the relative criticality of each component in the three layers is quantified as to the component's essentiality to network performance. The analysis provides a simple means of assessing the importance of different components in critical infrastructure layers, allowing decision makers to prioritize threat mitigation alternatives.
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